Michigan City Harbor
Michigan City, IN
This park located on the shores of Lake Michigan is known for the number of rare birds that it produces each year.
Specialty Species:
Waterfowl: Scan Lake Michigan from the beach and the lighthouse for lots of flyby species of waterfowl. Check the Yacht Basin for waterfowl, too.
Jaegers: Scan the lake for a chance at seeing a Jaeger.
Gulls: Watch the beach and lake for multiple species of gulls.
Peregrine Falcon: Check the smoke stacks to the southwest for the resident Peregrine Falcons.
Where to Bird:
- The Beach
- the Lighthouse
The Beach: Walk the beach and scan the shore for gulls and shorebirds.
The Lighthouse: Walk to the lighthouse for a better vantage point of the lake. Scan from this point for waterfowl and jaegers.
Hours:
6am-11pm daily
Fees:
There is a fee during the summer months when many beachgoers are in the area.
Accessiblity:
There is a sidewalk along the beach and all the way to the lighthouse providing access to everyone.
Trails:
No trails
Non-birding Equipment Needed:
- None
Lenght of Visit:
A half day or less gives you enough time depending on how long you want to scan the lake. Most birds that are seen here are flybys.
Map:
- None Available
Website:
Directions:
From the West: Take I-94 west towards Chicago. Take Exit 40B to US-35/US-20. Merge onto US-35/US-20. Continue on US-35 when US-20 breaks off to the left. Turn left (west) onto US-12. Turn right (north) at the next stoplight onto Pine Street. Follow Pine Street over the drawbridge curve right (east) onto Lake Shore Drive. Turn left (north) onto Perry Avenue and follow it into the parking lot.
From the East: Take I-94 west towards Michigan. Take Exit 34B to US-421. Drive 2.1 miles and then turn right (east) onto US-20. Follow US-20 to US-35 and turn left (north). Turn left (west) onto US-12. Turn right (north) at the next stoplight onto Pine Street. Follow Pine Street over the drawbridge curve right (east) onto Lake Shore Drive. Turn left (north) onto Perry Avenue and follow it into the parking lot.
From the South: Take I-65 north to I-94 west. Once on I-94, take Exit 34B to US-421. Drive 2.1 miles and then turn right (east) onto US20. Follow US-20 to US-35 and turn left (north). Turn left (west) onto US-12. Turn right (north) at the next stoplight onto Pine Street. Follow Pine Street over the drawbridge curve right (east) onto Lake Shore Drive. Turn left (north) onto Perry Avenue and follow it into the parking lot.
Address:
115 Lakeshore Dr.
Michigan City, IN
phone: (219) 873-1510
Nearby Birding: