WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in North Dakota

By species reported, the top birding spots in North Dakota are Turtle River State Park, Lake Ilo, and BOR Lands. Turtle River State Park has the longest list (182 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Turtle River State ParkGrand Forks County1826971716910870
Lake IloDunn County1822371133121114
BOR LandsStark County176357815094113
Spring Lake ParkWilliams County169767321389595
Treefoil ParkCass County1681,1252216189106
Burleigh County Waterfowl Production AreaBurleigh County163493413512268
Bowman-Haley LakeBowman County15712821198086
General Sibley ParkBurleigh County153316201388264
Long Lake National Wildlife RefugeBurleigh County152259413110780
Mirror LakeAdams County15016311314764
LonetreeSheridan County1486901225351
Oak ParkWard County147777712087101
Kellys Slough National Wildlife RefugeGrand Forks County147305511710841
Kellys Slough ReservoirGrand Forks County14643801279751
Sertoma ParkGrand Forks County144599161328191
Sakakawea Recreation Area (northwest)Mountrail County143595331127869
Beaver Lake State ParkLogan County1408201135257
Nd State Lands - Surface Ownership (northwest)Kidder County13615401061104
Sakakawea Recreation Area (northeast)McLean County1341776778960
Lions Conservancy ParkCass County133435161105977
Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management AreaMcKenzie County1331721807165
Horsehead LakeKidder County13214809411422
Oak Grove ParkCass County131387151275263
Denbigh Experimental ForestMcHenry County131329321007552
Fort Abraham Lincoln State ParkMorton County130271201028640
Clausen SpringsBarnes County12913441094933
Sertoma Park (southeast)Grand Forks County128403171146683
Lewis and Clark Wildlife Management Area (northeast)McKenzie County1271240807960
Nelson LakeOliver County12710914815079
Valley City National Fish HatcheryBarnes County126171131075316

By county