audubon national wildlife refuge complex

I swung through the complex on my way from Minot to Bismarck. My GPS decided to take in my the wrong way, and I ended up at the end of the auto tour road. I stopped and grabbed the pamphlets and started down the road. The tour takes you several miles along the coast of Lake Audubon and ends at the visitor center (reverse if you start where you are supposed to!) There are numbered markers on the road that map to numbers on the tour pamphlet, which give you some facts about the ecosystem and the history of the area.It was a peaceful drive with great views of the grassland and the lake, and I was able to stop whenever I wanted because no body else was on the road. It was a cool, cloudy day so there weren't as many birds and other wildlife out, but I did see many species of birds, and more than one pheasant trying to run down the road in front me before scurrying into the bushes.I did not stop at the visitor center on the way out since it started to rain.

You can enjoy a visit to the informative Visitor Center, take a hike/walk on the trail behind the Center, or take the 8 mile Auto Tour. During our visit we did these things and enjoyed it all. The staff is very helpful, they answered our questions and provided information about the property, even took a few photos for us. Along the trail and auto tour we saw wildflowers, birds, waterfowl, and beautiful scenery. Binoculars are helpful. The NWR is located just off Route 83 between Minot and Bismark at Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakwea. You can spend minutes or hours but don't miss it.

There is a brand new visitor center and helpful staff. Due to many days of rain, the Auto Tour Route has been closed. We just happened to be there the day it opened and were glad we could complete it. This is a spectacular place to view birds and wildlife. There is a bison herd. As with all birding, timing is everything when visiting a facility of this kind. North Dakota is looking for birders' dollars and has put out many tour routes for pursing the hobby.

Definitely bring your binoculars!! Fantastic for bird watching. lovely country side, great to spend the day and pack a picnic

A beautiful oasis of nature on the N. Dakota prairie. There's a 1-mile trail through various types of vegetation, and a 7-mile drive with stops along the way (get a guide brochure at the visitor center). Bring your binoculars. We saw lots of birds, but they were far away. I didn't know that there were pelicans in N. Dakota. The entrance road is just south of the bridge over the lake and is easy to miss (at least I missed it). No charge for any of this.

Check this out in spring and fall for wildlife viewing and photography. Waterfowl, deer, shorebirds (including the piping plover if you are lucky), upland birds, and more. Catching the migration is key.

We visited Audubon NWR this past summer when the waters were at an historic high. Several of the roads were closed, but we were still able to drive around the complex. They have a very nice visitors center and although the facility is small I recommend seeing it. A nice little stop near Lake Sakakawea.