Eagle Watch Weekend - January 28 & 29, 2023

Starved Rock Visitor Center  |  Illinois Waterway Visitor Center  |  Starved Rock Lodge

Eagle Watch Weekend celebrates the American Bald Eagle in Illinois. 

Join park staff, volunteer naturalists, hike leaders, and the Northern Illinois Raptor Rehabilitation for a fun filled day at the Starved Rock Visitor Center and trails during Eagle Watch Weekend. Park activities will take place on January 28th from 9:30-3 p.m. starting with a children's program on bald eagles at 9:30 followed by a guided eagle viewing hike at 10 and a live birds of prey show at 11. The day will conclude with another guided eagle viewing hike at 1 followed by a bird of prey show at 2 p.m. Tickets and reservations for the state park and visitor center programs are not needed but seating will be limited.

Starved Rock Lodge will run trolleys daily from 9am-5pm for $4.00 per day. The trolleys will run from the Lodge to the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. 

Click to enlarge.

Will you see Bald Eagles?

Usually! The numbers vary year to year and even day to day. Cold weather tends to concentrate the birds by the open water at the dam. When the weather is warmer, birds will hunt up and down the river and there will be fewer to view.

Bald Eagle Watch Visitor Hints

• If you drive from one side of the river to the other (and back) you can expect to find parking becomes more difficult by mid-day. This means you should budget your time carefully if you are planning to attend various programs.
• The trolley is a good transportation option. It runs continuously. But you may have to wait for the trolley and therefore you should leave plenty of time before you have to make it across the river and back.
• Live bird exhibitions do NOT permit entry after the program has begun to insure safety of birds and people. Programs begin on time.
• Children are welcome and encouraged, of course. Children under two may find the 1 hour live bird presentations too confining. You know your child best. Please be considerate of other attendees.