Birders, explorers, hikers, and listers—we have your next expedition.
The Indiana Birding Trail (IBT) is 70 of the best birding sites throughout the state complied into one “Trail” for nature-enthusiasts and birders alike to discover endless adventures in Indiana’s impressive wild lands. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the banks of the Ohio River, sites on the trail wind through four distinct habitats and five regions along the Mississippi Flyway, with over 400 species of birds documented.
In 2026, Indiana Audubon brings you the Indiana Birding Trail Checklist Challenge. Running from January 1st until December 31st, the IBT Challenge is your chance to explore a new preserve (or five or 50) and find more birds in the new year!
How Does the Challenge Work?
- Go birding at each site for at least 30 minutes.
- Check visited sites off of the printed checklist.
- When you complete a habitat, region, or other badge requirement, report it on our online form to receive a badge sticker to place in your checklist. You can also submit the form once per month to keep your progress current.
- Visit the digital leaderboard (updated monthly) to see your badges virtually and compare your totals with the Top 100 birders. Leaderboard updates are based on what you self-report through the form.
- When you have visited all sites, tell us via the form to receive your commemorative IBT Challenge patch.
- Use #IBTChallenge2026 when posting selfies from IBT sites, especially in front of an IBT sign. (Bird photos don’t count. We want to see you out on the trail!) Posts using this hashtag may be featured in Indiana Audubon’s digital communications.
Learn more about the Trail and its 70 sites on the website. The 2026-2027 guidebook is available for $18 plus shipping and includes the checklist. Looking for the checklist without the guidebook? Purchase it for $1.
Just need the checklist? Download a printable PDF formatted for 14″ x 8.5″ legal-size paper.
IBT Challenge Leaderboard and Prizes
If you want the breakdown of prizes, points, and the latest leaderboard standings, take a look at the IBT Challenge leaderboard page. The page also includes the link to the self-reporting form.
Indiana Birding Trail Field Trips
Explore the trail with Indiana Audubon’s “Field Birding on the Indiana Birding Trail” trips. These seasonal guided outings help you sharpen birding skills and log visits for the Checklist Challenge.
How Does the IBT Challenge Support Bird Conservation?
Participating in the IBT Challenge supports the parks and conservation staff who keep Indiana’s wild places healthy and accessible. Most trail sites are managed by nonprofits or government entities that depend on public involvement to continue their work.
Stopping by a visitor center or education center, paying an entrance fee, or making a purchase at a gift shop supports the staff and work that keep those sites running. Your fees are put back into research and citizen science projects that inform species and habitat protections, care of ambassador animals and injured wildlife, and education of the public.
What Badges are Available?
Earn collectible IBT Challenge badges as you explore and track your progress. Each badge is mailed to you as a sticker at the end of the month and added virtually to your spot on the leaderboard. At year’s end, all participants are entered into a drawing for larger prizes, and active birders receive an embroidered Indiana Birding Trail Challenge patch.
Regional Badges
Visit all the sites within a single region to complete that badge. Regions include Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest, and Southeast, following the county boundaries outlined here.
Habitat Badges
Visit all sites within one habitat type (Forest, Wetland, Open Water, and Grassland) to complete that badge. Four habitat badges are available in total. See how they’re defined.
Additional Badges
The Site Steward Badge is earned by visiting the same site five or more times. The Climate Hero Badge is earned by visiting five or more sites using carbon-neutral transportation, such as walking or biking.
Badge designs were created by Indiana Audubon member Scott Arvin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by username?
Just like on eBird, not everyone feels comfortable sharing their real name on a public website. For the fun of competition, most people will, but we also allow you set a username if you prefer that.
What counts as visiting a site?
To check a site off your list, we require that you actively spend at least 30 minutes there. However, the way you enjoy the site is up to you, and may depend on the terrain and habitat itself. You can walk, ride, sit, hike, watch, listen, stand, drive, roll, or use a mix.
Do I have to pay to join the Challenge?
No, you do not need to pay or make a purchase to take part in the challenge. However, many of the sites, including Indiana State Parks and some city parks, may charge a small fee on the day you visit.
I want to take part in the Indiana Birding Trial Challenge, but it has already started. Is it too late to join?
It’s not too late to join! The challenge is designed with badges that can be completed at your own pace and when you have time. Depending on your personal pace, you may not have time to visit as many sites if you begin mid-year, but there are lots of ways to stay engaged with pop-up micro-challenges and localized badges.
I’m not a birder, but I love hiking/backpacking/thru-hiking. Can I join the Challenge?
You are welcome to partake in the challenge and enjoy Indiana’s natural beauty. We just require spending at least 30 minutes at each site. As a bonus, you might learn some about our birds along the way.
I don’t have the funds/friends to travel all over the state, but I still want to play. Will I be able to take part?
Yes, though admittedly many of the sites on the Indiana Birding Trail can be far from any given location, we have structured our badge system with multiple low-distance badges, including the Site Steward (5 or more visits to one site) and Climate Hero (no driving), as well as whichever region is closest to your home base. Indiana Audubon, as well as many Audubon chapters throughout the state, host caravan and carpool birding outings that, for a small fee, can take you to new natural areas and introduce you to other birders.
I have a health condition or disability that makes it hard to hike and be active for long periods of time. Is this challenge for me too?
Yes! While many of the sites on the Indiana Birding Trail have more rugged sands or steep ravines, there are many accessible overlooks and trails at the sites. We’re working to add more detailed accessibility information to the IBT webpage. In the meantime, check each site’s own webpage, the Birdability map, or AllTrails for current details. The badge system also offers several low-distance options, including the Site Steward (five or more visits to one site), Climate Hero (no driving), and your closest region badge.
