Best Places to See Bald Eagles

Once in danger of becoming extinct, the bald eagle has come back to life in recent years. It was even taken off the Endangered Species Act in 2007. There are several great locations to watch this majestic bird soar in North America, from Alaska to Maryland. These locations are revered by die-hard birders and general spectators alike. Here’s a look at some of the best spots in the world to see the national bird of the United States.

Klamath Basin, Oregon/California

Klamath Basin has the largest concentration of bald eagles in the continental United States, boasting as many as 1,000 eagles in the peak months of January and February. As many as 500 eagles pass through and/or make nests at the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge alone. Contact Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge to make reservations for many of the tours in the area.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland

More than 200 bald eagles seek refuge at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge each year. The refuge holds the largest nesting population on the Atlantic Coast north of Florida. And you can see bald and golden eagles year-round. What’s not to like? This is a must for birders or those who simply want to view the majesty of the graceful eagle. Located on the Atlantic Flyway, it hosts a variety of unique and spectacular birds. The annual Eagle Festival, coming up in March, includes bus tours to see active eagle nests.

Oklahoma

There are a wealth of spots to choose from in Oklahoma, from Salt Plains Lake near Enid to Kaw Lake near Ponca City to the Keystone Reservoir. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, within the Arkansas River flood plain, is a hotspot, spanning for 20,800 acres. The bald eagle is included in the 250-plus species of birds that frequent the refuge. The George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center has a live cam at the refuge to keep track of the eagles in the area. Contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Refuge for tour reservations and other information.

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri

While the peak viewing months of November and December have already passed, there are still plenty of bald eagles to see for the rest of the winter at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri. You still have the one-and-a-half-mile hiking trail called Eagle Overlook that presents phenomenal views of the eagles from the wetlands. Hundreds of eagles pass through this spot during the winter. Close to 300 can be seen during the peak migration period.

Washington

Washington is one of the best nesting sites in the United States, hosting hundreds of eagles and tens of thousands of salmon by the end of the spawning season. Bald eagles can be seen in great numbers from December through March (and beyond). The Upper Skagit River Watershed in Northwest Washington and Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are prime spots to look for bald eagles (although you probably won’t need to look very much). For wildlife viewing trips, events and more information contact SkagitEagle.org.

Wolf Lodge Bay, Idaho

From November (when the kokanee salmon begin to spawn) through mid-January, dozens of migratory bald eagles frequent Wolf Lodge Bay at Lake Coeur d’Alene. In a one-week period during Christmas, Wolf Lodge Bay gets anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 visitors from all over the country. The Bureau of Land Management collaborated with the Department of Fish & Game to set up the Watchable Wildlife Program, which includes the Coeur d’Alene Eagle Watch at Wolf Lodge Bay (started in 1991). Eagles come down from Canada every winter for a mild climate.

Quad Cities/Mississippi River

Every winter, the Quad Cities area is home to numerous bald eagles who seek to nest and feed. The area—composed of Moline, Rock Island and East Moline in Illinois, as well as Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa—hosts many bald eagle days in January. Bald eagles also frequent the locks and dams of the Mississippi River during the winter. While most watches occur during January, bald eagles can be seen through early March. 

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia

Mason Neck was the first refuge in the country established specifically for the protection of bald eagles in 1969. Located 18 miles south of Washington D.C. on the Potomac River, it has been a center for migrating eagles to flock to for decades. The area provides the forests and tributaries necessary for eagles to feed and seek shelter. You’ll want to check out the Great Marsh Trail from November through March for a great viewpoint of the bald eagles. Mason Neck Refuge is consistently ranked as one of the premier spots to see the nation’s grand bird.

Alaska

Alaska is well known for its influx of bald eagles during the winter, considered to be one of the most concentrated eagle hotspots in the world. The annual salmon run attracts anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 bald eagles per year in a four-mile stretch on the 48,000-acre Alaska Chilkat Eagle Preserve. Haines, Alaska—located on the north end of the preserve—is a prime viewing spot during the winter months. You will find the American Bald Eagle Foundation here. And for those who won’t be able to make it during the winter months, don’t worry; eagles can be found here year-round.

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Canada

Canada is also an excellent place to see the majestic bald eagle. If you head up north from Vancouver, you can check out the Squamish, Mamquam and Cheakamus rivers near Brackendale and Squamish. The surrounding environment near these rivers provides food and shelter for the eagles. Brackendale boasted a 2014 Eagle Count of more than 1,600 recently. Brackendale and Squamish are about a 45-minute drive from Vancouver. You can find eagles from November through mid-February in the area, but the best months are December and January.