Prairie Nature Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Spring · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located 3 miles north of Coleharbor, North Dakota, on U.S. Highway 83 and 1 mile east of the highway. There are signs for the wildlife refuge. The Prairie Nature Trail starts on the north side of visitor center. The modern, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified gold visitor center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm year-round and has exhibits and a guest register. If it is closed, just head around to the north side where the trail starts.

The flat gravel trail winds through grasslands and glacial remnant prairie potholes, allowing visitors to observe native grasses and wildflowers, birds, and other animals. Early mornings and evenings are best for viewing wildlife. The prairie pothole region in which Audubon National Wildlife Refuge is situated produces more than half of the continent's waterfowl.

Prairie wildflowers, Mallard ducks, Northern Pintail, Piping Plover, Sharp-tailed Grouse, white-tailed deer, Ringneck Pheasant, Giant Canada Goose, Baird's Sparrow, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Red-winged Blackbirds, Yellow-headed Blackbirds