Birding
With lakes, wetlands, and woodlands packed into a compact area, La Porte County serves up easy access and varied habitats for birding year-round. Use this guide to pick a spot, find the best vantage points, and get out on the trail.
City parks & trails: generally open sunrise - 10 p.m.
County parks: hours listed per site below.
Kingsbury FWA: hunting seasons occur - obey posted closures.
Quick Notes Before You Go
Indiana Birding Trail
La Porte County is featured on the Indiana Birding Trail, a statewide network highlighting the best birding locations across Indiana. Local trail sites include Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area, Richardson Preserve, and the Michigan City Harbor & Lakefront. Exploring these spots links you to a larger trail system that stretches across the state.
Top Spots & Trails
Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area
5344 S Hupp Rd, La Porte, IN
Hours: Open 24/7
How to bird it: A large property best explored by driving the access roads with short walks at marsh edges, levees, and parking lots.
Entrances & vantage points:
Main entrance (Hupp Rd → Tamarack Lake/Marsh): swans, cranes, waterfowl
River Rd → Grande Marsh: scope-friendly for ducks, Osprey platform visible
Nickel Rd east side: grasslands, raptors, forest edge species
Richardson Preserve
5265 Pawnee Trail, La Porte, IN
Hours: Sunrise - sunset; foot traffic only
How to bird it: A walking preserve with hard-packed gravel trails and footbridges through forest and wetland.
Parking/entrance: Small lot inside subdivision, follow preserve signage
Best for: Woodland bird activity in spring–fall; allow 1–3 hours
Luhr County Park
3178 S County Rd 150 W, La Porte, IN
Hours: 7am - sunset
How to bird it: Park once and walk short loops through prairie, wetland, and wooded edges.
Entrances & vantage points: Pond overlook, accessible fishing pier, boardwalk, and indoor bird-viewing room
Trails: Easy loops - Hickory Hollow (0.75 mi), Crabapple Corners (0.39 mi), Deer Trail Pass (0.36 mi), Lumberjack (0.20 mi), Meadow Loop
Clear Lake Greenway Loop
Fox Park / NewPorte Landing area
Hours: Sunrise - 10pm
How to bird it: A walking loop with paved paths and a boardwalk circling the lake (~1.5 - 1.6 mi, easy).
Entrances & parking: Signed parking at three access points; McClung Rd to Detroit St segment covers south shore
Best vantage points: Boardwalk overlooks with benches; south shore straightaways for scanning waterfowl
Soldiers Memorial Park (Stone & Pine Lakes)
250 Pine Lake Ave, La Porte, IN
Hours: Sunrise - 10pm
How to bird it: Best enjoyed on foot trails and lakefront paths, with additional vantage points from beach and lodge areas.
Key spots:
Stone Lake Beach House lot: open-water views; restrooms & concessions in season
Cummings Lodge lot: elevated lake scanning, access to wooded paths
Nature/MTB trails: shaded walks with occasional lake glimpses
Michigan City Harbor & Lakefront
115 N Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN
Hours: Pre-dawn - 10pm (parking fees in summer)
How to bird it: On foot via lakefront walkway and jetty, with long views across the harbor and breakwalls.
Entrances & vantage points:
Main lot to concrete walkway; scan gulls and waterfowl
Jetty to lighthouse for extended views
Why visit: One of Indiana’s most productive lakefront sites, especially during migration
Seasonal Highlights
Spring (Apr - May): Peak migration with warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers in woodlands; waterfowl moving through wetlands and along the lakefront
Summer (Jun - Aug): Stable populations of woodpeckers, meadowlarks, and herons; nesting activity across county parks
Fall (Sep - Oct): Ducks and raptors dominate; lakefront scanning especially rewarding
Winter (Dec - Feb): Rafts of ducks on open water; chickadees, nuthatches, and other hardy residents in wooded parks
Birds to Look for…
Tips for Enjoying a Birding Trip
Best times: Early morning and late afternoon are most active
Gear: Binoculars, bird ID app or field guide, comfortable walking shoes; a spotting scope is helpful at Kingsbury and Michigan City Harbor
Logistics: Check site-specific hours and parking rules, especially at Soldiers Memorial Park and Michigan City Harbor during summer season