The Binocular Site
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established as a United States National Park in 1978. The park was named for U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt because a ranch he owned and worked in the 1800s is located and preserved in the park.
It covers 110 square miles, and comprises three geographically separated areas of the badlands of western North Dakota: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch. The park is also located within the Little Missouri National Grassland, and the Little Missouri River runs through it.
There are several campgrounds in Roosevelt National Park, which are available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are only taken for groups. Recreational vehicles are allowed on the campgrounds. The park contains several types of wilderness areas, including prairie, hardwood and juniper draws, north- and south-facing slopes, sagebrush flats, and a bottomland forest near the Little Missouri River.
There are 186 known species of birds living in the park, with another 22 species suspected but not yet observed. Park personnel request that visiting birders inform them of any new birds not already listed with the park. Known species include numerous varieties of chickadees, cranes, finches, meadowlarks, owls, woodpeckers, hawks, and many more. See the Theodore Roosevelt National Park website for more information.
The state bird of North Dakota is the Western Meadowlark and you can find a checklist for birding activities in North Dakota here.
Photo credit to jimmywayne, used with permission under the creative commons license.
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