Central Indiana Birding Opportunities - Celery Bog Nature Area

Celery Bog is a 195-acre nature park located on the north-west side of West Lafayette. The wetland area is approximately 100 acres in several pools and ephemeral ponds.

 

Celery Bog contains 4 miles of paved trails and 2.5 miles of natural trails through woods, savanna, prairie and along the west side of the bog. There are three observation decks on the wetland areas, two of which are accessed from the natural trails. The paved trails connect to the West Lafayette trail system and can be used to access the northern observation deck. Additional observations can be made from the Wal-Mart parking lot. There is a pedestrian walkway on the north side of the Celery Bog bridge that overlooks the bog.

The natural trails are generally well maintained, but in early spring and periods of heavy rain some areas, especially along the bog, may be quite muddy to the point of being nearly impassable. Mosquitoes can be plentiful during the late spring, summer and early fall.

There have been 260 species recorded on eBird at the Celery Bog.

eBird Hotspot Link:
ebird.org/hotspot/L248276

Total Birding Time: The primary wetland areas can be observed in about an hour but to cover the entire park, plan on 3-4 hours if not longer.

Best Times to Bird:  Bird activity is generally best along the bog edge trails, with greatly increased activity throughout the park during migrations. Mornings and evenings are the best times for birding. Summer activity on the wetland area is limited and the bog surface often becomes covered with algae and other aquatic plants.

WEST LAFAYETTE WEATHER

Address: 1620 Lindberg Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906. The park entrance is just west of the Celery Bog Bridge on the north side of Lindberg Road. Lindberg road can be accessed from the east off Northwestern Avenue or from the west off of the US 231/52 West Lafayette bypass.
Hours: The park is open from dawn to dusk. The Lily Nature center is open Wednesday – Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1-5 -pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday. The nature center is also closed on the days of home Purdue football games and various holidays.
Ownership: West Lafayette Parks and Recreation
Admission: There are no admission or parking fees.
Restrictions: Fishing and boating are not permitted. Pets must be on a leash. Drones are not permitted. Cycling is permitted on paved trails only. The east side of the bog is the Kampen Golf course and is not part of the park. Otherwise follow posted rules.
Parking: Paved parking is available near the Lily Nature Center. There is an alternate gravel lot available that is accessible from the entrance road before getting to the nature center.
Nearby Amenities: Restrooms are available at the nature center when it is open and may be available through a separate entrance at other times. There are two gas stations less than a mile east of the bog at the intersection of Lindberg and Northwestern. Food, additional gas stations and other amenities are available in either direction on Northwestern Avenue.
Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available at the nature center and at the gravel lot. The nature center and paved trails are handicapped accessible.
Website: westlafayette.in.gov
Phone Number: (765) 775-5172

Written by: Chuck Tuttle
Photo by: Wiki