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Whiting Park and
Whiting Refinery Beach

Whiting, IN

RestroomsFishing

When to Visit:
January - Less ProductiveFebruary - Less ProductiveMarch - Most ProductiveApril - Most ProductiveMay - Most ProductiveJune - Less ProductiveJuly - Less ProductiveAugust - Most ProductiveSeptember - Most ProductiveOctober - Most ProductiveNovember - Most ProductiveDecember - Less Productive

Whiting Park is a small 14 acre park that is located right on the Lake Michigan shore.  Although it is small, it can be very productive during migration.

Specialty Species:

Warblers:  This site is mainly known for its migrant passerines during spring and fall migration.  Check the Wall and the Goldfish Pond and you may find a large number of warblers especially on windy days.

Diving Ducks:  Check the Shoreline and the Refinery Beach for diving ducks during the late fall and winter.

Gulls:  Check the Shoreline and the Refinery Beach for gulls during the late fall and winter.

Where to Bird:

The Wall:  Bird along the south side of the wall looking for migrating passerines.

Whiting Refinery Beach:  This area tends to stay open longer than the rest of the lakefront due to a warm water outlet.  Many diving ducks and gulls can be found here.  Typically, a rare duck or gull will turn up in this area each year, including Long-tailed and Harlequin Ducks and Thayer’s or Iceland Gulls.

Goldfish Pond:  This pond is located on the west side of the park.  Look for migrant passerines especially warblers bathing in and drinking from the pond.

Whiting Park Shoreline:  Scan the lake from the parking area during the fall and winter to find diving ducks and gulls.

Hours:

May to September 7:30am to 10:00pm
We have never personally had problems accessing this site at any time of the year.

Fees:

Free for Whiting Residents, $5 for Indiana Plates, $10 for Out-of-State Plates
We have never seen anyone collecting these fees at this site.

Accessiblity:

Most area is handicap accessible but the area south of the wall is rugged.

Trails:

There are very few trails to hike.

Non-birding Equipment Needed:

Lenght of Visit:

30-90 minutes

Map:

Website:

Directions:

From the South:  Take I-65 North to I-90 Toll Road East.  Take Exit #5 for Calumet Avenue/US-41.  Go north.  At 199th Street, turn right (east).  When 199th Street dead ends into Front Street, turn left (north).  Front Street will take you straight into Whiting Park.

To get to the Whiting Refinery Beach:  Just before the gate to for Whiting Park, turn right onto the frontage road.  Proceed to the end of this road where the beach is located.

Address:

None Available

Nearby Birding:

Migrant Trap