Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana · Midwest

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

CoastalForestWetland

Best Seasons

SpringFall

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

Connecticut Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Cerulean Warbler Common Gallinule Caspian Tern

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/4/2026Bloomington Sewage Lagoon4 observed

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

3/4/20268416 Indiana 166, Cannelton, Indiana, US (37.912, -86.651)1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/4/20265988–5998 N Bottom Rd, Bloomington US-IN 39.26248, -86.546128 observed

Eurasian x American Wigeon (hybrid)

Mareca penelope x americana

3/3/2026Enterprise Drive, McCordsville, Indiana, US (39.85, -85.909)1 observed

Eurasian x American Wigeon (hybrid)

Mareca penelope x americana

3/3/2026Mt. Comfort Commercial Park1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Fairfax Beach Lake Monroe1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026BP Warm Water Outlet1 observed

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

3/3/2026Evergreen Hill1 observed

American Barn Owl

Tyto furcata

3/3/2026NW Warrick County2 observed

Eurasian x American Wigeon (hybrid)

Mareca penelope x americana

3/3/2026Mt. Comfort Industrial Park (W. Enterprise Drive Area)1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026BP Warm Water Outlet1 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

3/3/2026Tippecanoe River SP5 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Eagle Creek Park3 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii)

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Fairfax State Recreation Area1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/2/2026Eagle Creek Ornithology Center3 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/2/2026Eagle Creek Ornithology Center3 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/2/2026Eagle Creek Park5 observed

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

3/2/2026Lye Creek Prairie Burn, aka The Burn1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/2/2026BP Warm Water Outlet1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/2/2026BP Warm Water Outlet1 observed

Recent Observations

American Robin

3200 Longlois Drive, Lafayette, Indiana, US (40.434, -86.859)

3/4/2026

1 birds

European Starling

3200 Longlois Drive, Lafayette, Indiana, US (40.434, -86.859)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mallard

Seed Warehouse 3664 West 67th Street, Anderson, Indiana, US (40.047, -85.744)

3/4/2026

55 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Seed Warehouse 3664 West 67th Street, Anderson, Indiana, US (40.047, -85.744)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Ring-billed Gull

backyard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

2 birds

Gadwall

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

4 birds

Mourning Dove

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

1 birds

Lesser Scaup

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

2 birds

Ring-necked Duck

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

35 birds

House Sparrow

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

7 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

2 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Eagle Marsh--West End

3/4/2026

2 birds

Turkey Vulture

Buttercup

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

Buttercup

3/4/2026

3 birds

Carolina Wren

Buttercup

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

Buttercup

3/4/2026

1 birds

Killdeer

Buttercup

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Buttercup

3/4/2026

1 birds

Horned Lark

6000–6498 E County Road 400 N, Greensburg US-IN 39.39662, -85.35962

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Hike the Heron Rookery trail for breeding warblers
2
Check the lakefront in fall for migrating raptors and waterbirds

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Indiana Dunes State Park

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

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. 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.