Sand dunes and Lake Michigan shoreline at Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana · Midwest

Habitat
CoastalForestWetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

May

Entrance Fee

$25 per vehicle (7-day pass)

Hours

Open 24 hours; visitor center 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

About This Location

Indiana Dunes National Park on the southern shore of Lake Michigan hosts remarkable biodiversity in a compact area, with over 350 bird species recorded. The diverse habitats include beaches, dunes, bogs, forests, and wetlands that attract migrating songbirds and waterbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Willet (Western)

Tringa semipalmata

7/18/2026Miller Beach, Lake Street1 observed

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

7/16/2026Miller Beach, Lake Street1 observed

Laughing Gull

Leucophaeus atricilla

7/13/2026Michigan City Harbor1 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

7/12/2026Grant St. Marsh1 observed

Sanderling

Calidris alba

7/12/2026Miller Beach, Lake Street1 observed

Marbled Godwit

Limosa fedoa

7/11/2026Miller Beach, Lake Street1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Spotted Sandpiper

17/21/2026

Ring-billed Gull

107/21/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

27/21/2026

Red-headed Woodpecker

37/21/2026

Downy Woodpecker

17/21/2026

Eastern Wood-Pewee

37/21/2026

Eastern Kingbird

27/21/2026

Red-eyed Vireo

47/21/2026

Bank Swallow

127/21/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

27/21/2026

Gray Catbird

37/21/2026

Song Sparrow

17/21/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

27/21/2026

Common Yellowthroat

47/21/2026

Caspian Tern

37/16/2026

Wood Duck

17/12/2026

Mourning Dove

17/12/2026

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

17/12/2026

Belted Kingfisher

17/12/2026

Yellow-throated Vireo

17/12/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Hike the Heron Rookery trail for breeding warblers

  2. 2

    Check the lakefront in fall for migrating raptors and waterbirds

  3. 3

    Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity

  4. 4

    Fall migration (September-October) brings waves of southbound warblers and raptors

  5. 5

    Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park for birding?
The best months to visit Indiana Dunes National Park for birding are May. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Indiana Dunes National Park?
Notable species at Indiana Dunes National Park include Connecticut Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Cerulean Warbler, Common Gallinule, Caspian Tern, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, American Crow, Northern Shoveler, Canada Goose. The area supports coastal, forest, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Indiana Dunes National Park?
Birding at Indiana Dunes National Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Indiana Dunes National Park?
The entrance fee at Indiana Dunes National Park is $25 per vehicle (7-day pass). Hours: Open 24 hours; visitor center 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What amenities are available at Indiana Dunes National Park?
Indiana Dunes National Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails.