Start early at Indiana Dunes State Park, strolling the West Beach boardwalk to spot piping plovers and sandpipers. Visit the Dunes Preservation Center for a quick briefing on local species.
Hike the Dunes Trail to Bendix Bay, a prime spot for waterfowl and gulls. Enjoy a picnic at the beach while watching terns dive for fish.
Wrap up with sunset birding at the Great Lakes shoreline near the Little Calumet River, then head to a nearby lodge for dinner.
Explore Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (the “Gullhaven”) for early‑morning gulls, terns, and sandpipers along Lake Michigan. Continue to the nearby Lincoln Park Bird Sanctuary to listen for red‑tailed hawks.
Take a short drive to Northerly Island, where you can see bald eagles and peregrine falcons soaring over the lake. Stop at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s wetlands exhibit for a guided raptor walk.
Enjoy a leisurely dinner in the River North district, then stroll the Chicago Riverwalk for dusk‑time warbler activity before returning to your hotel.
Arrive in Wisconsin Dells and unwind at Riverside Park, walking the River Trail that skirts the Wisconsin River and offers glimpses of kingfishers and herons. Grab coffee at a local café.
Board a Dells Scenic River Cruise to see the famous rock formations while spotting loons and grebes on the water. Disembark at Mirror Lake State Park for a gentle hike around the lake.
Dine at a family‑friendly restaurant on Main Street, then take a twilight walk along the Upper Dells Trail for occasional night‑time owl calls.
Hike the Upper Dells Trail to view cascading waterfalls while listening for woodpeckers and flycatchers. Stop at the Observation Tower for panoramic views of the river valley.
Rent a kayak at the Wisconsin River launch site to paddle past hidden coves, keeping an eye out for double‑crested cormorants and bald eagles perched on cliffs.
Relax at the Dells Resort’s lakeside fire pit, enjoying a BBQ dinner while listening to the chorus of night‑jarring frogs and distant night‑ingales.
Enter Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area and start at the Observation Tower for sweeping views of the marsh’s open water, ideal for spotting trumpeter swans and Canada geese.
Walk the Marsh Boardwalk and visit the Nature Center to learn about the marsh’s restoration. Take a guided boat tour to see dabbling ducks, herons, and possibly a sandhill crane.
Head to the nearby town of Horicon for a farm‑to‑table dinner, then enjoy a quiet night‑time birding session at the marsh’s edge, listening for the calls of marsh wrens.
Drive to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge; start at the St. Anthony Falls overlook for early‑morning warbler activity along the riverbanks.
Explore Fort Snelling State Park’s prairie and wetland habitats, where you can see red‑shouldered hawks and sandpipers. Continue to Minnehaha Park to view the waterfall and spot kingfishers near the creek.
Enjoy dinner in the North Loop and take a sunset walk along the Mississippi River trail, where trumpeter swans often gather at dusk.
Enter the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park; hike the Sage Creek Trail for prairie‑steppe birding, looking for burrowing owls and long‑spurred sparrows.
Visit the South Unit Visitor Center, then drive to the Painted Canyon Overlook for vistas of the badlands and the chance to spot golden eagles soaring above the cliffs.
Set up at the park’s campground or nearby lodge, and enjoy a campfire dinner while listening to night‑time calls of prairie chickens and meadowlarks.
Arrive in Kathryn and take a leisurely stroll along the Sheyenne River, watching for sandpipers and occasional bald eagles fishing in the current.
Visit the local historical museum for a quick cultural break, then relax at a nearby park that offers open prairie views perfect for spotting meadowlarks and sparrows.
Conclude the trip with dinner at a local diner, followed by a sunset drive across the Red River Valley, where the endless horizon provides a perfect backdrop for reflective birding moments.