Eagle Watching
Bald eagles winter along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers around Pere Marquette State Park from December to March, and IDNR calls January and February the hotspot months, with eagles "in the hundreds" near the park. Look for them in the treetops along the Illinois River and from the bluff overlooks. The Visitor Center lends free binoculars.
Eagle Season at a Glance
When to Go
- IDNR: eagles can be seen in the treetops along the Illinois River from December to March, with January and February the busiest.
- The local tourism bureau (Great Rivers & Routes): eagles, thousands of trumpeter swans and other waterbirds arrive from late December through early March, and from late December through mid-February "every day is eagle day".
- Time of day: the tourism bureau notes the eagles start soaring over the Mississippi before dawn. Early morning is a good bet.
Where to See Eagles in the Park
- Along the Illinois River on Route 100: IDNR says to scan the treetops.
- McAdams Peak and the Scenic Drive overlooks: IDNR names them as popular bird-watching spots. See McAdams Peak.
- Stump Lake, in the river bottoms, another IDNR-named birding spot.
Borrow binoculars free at the Visitor Center with a state ID, and watch IDNR's film "Where Eagles Soar" while you are there.
Eagle Watching Near Grafton and Alton
The tourism bureau says drivers on the Meeting of the Great Rivers byway between Alton and Grafton can see anywhere from 25 to 150 eagles on a trip. Trumpeter swans winter at the Audubon Center at Riverlands near Alton. See the Great River Road and Grafton.
Events
- Alton Eagle Ice Festival: January 9, 2027, its 18th year, per the tourism bureau. Free.
- Live eagle meet-and-greets: the tourism bureau and the World Bird Sanctuary bring a live bald eagle to the Alton Visitor Center on January 10 and 23, 2027, and the Grafton Visitor Center on January 16 and 30, 2027, per the bureau's listings. Free.
- Eagle-watching shuttle tours: a guided 90-minute tour of eagle spots along the Great River Road.
- Pere Marquette programs: IDNR has long run eagle tours of the river bluffs and woods. Ask the Visitor Center at (618) 786-3323 what is on this winter.
For current dates, call the Great Rivers & Routes visitor center at (618) 465-6676 (Friday to Sunday).
Tips
- Dress for cold: gloves, a parka, a hat and boots, as the tourism bureau puts it.
- Use binoculars or a long lens, and keep your distance from perched birds.
- Combine the drive with the Brussels Ferry, which runs free and around the clock.
Bald Eagle Facts
IDNR gives a wingspan of 6 to 7 1/2 feet. The tourism bureau adds that the birds weigh 6.5 to 14 pounds and that the wintering population in the Alton-Grafton region is one of the largest in North America.
Eagle Watching FAQ
When is the best time to see bald eagles at Pere Marquette?
January and February. IDNR says eagles are in the area from December to March, and the local tourism bureau calls late December to mid-February the peak.
Where can I see eagles near Grafton, Illinois?
In the treetops along the Illinois River on Route 100, from the overlooks at Pere Marquette State Park, and along the Great River Road between Grafton and Alton.
How many eagles winter around Alton and Grafton?
The tourism bureau says drivers can see 25 to 150 eagles on a trip, and IDNR describes eagles in the hundreds near the park.
When is the Alton Eagle Ice Festival?
January 9, 2027, its 18th year, according to Great Rivers & Routes. It is free.
Do I need binoculars?
They help. The Pere Marquette Visitor Center lends binoculars free with a state-issued ID.