Every winter, as rivers farther north freeze over, hundreds of American bald eagles head south to the open water around Alton, Illinois. They spend the season fishing below the locks and dams and roosting in the bluffs along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. It’s one of the best places in the country to see eagles in the wild, and it’s only about 25 minutes from St. Louis.
When is eagle season in Alton?
Eagles arrive in late fall and stay through early spring. The best viewing is late December through February, and the coldest weeks are often the best. When ice forms upstream, more eagles gather where the water stays open near Alton.
Best time of day: Early morning, when eagles are most actively fishing.
The best places to see bald eagles near Alton
The Great River Road (Alton to Grafton). The scenic byway runs right along the Mississippi at the base of the bluffs. Pull-offs along the route are some of the most reliable spots, and on a good day you may count dozens of eagles.
Melvin Price Locks and Dam / National Great Rivers Museum. Eagles fish in the churning open water below the dam. The museum is a warm place to learn about the river between sightings.
Audubon Center at Riverlands (West Alton, MO). A 3,700-acre migratory bird sanctuary just across the Clark Bridge. Look for eagles along with thousands of wintering trumpeter swans.
Pere Marquette State Park (Grafton). Illinois’ largest state park adds bluff-top overlooks and guided eagle programs in season.
Brussels and Grafton ferries. The ferry crossings put you right on the water where eagles hunt.
Eagle events to plan around
- Alton Eagle Ice Festival (early January): A free kickoff to eagle season with ice carving, live music, and eagle activities around town.
- Eagle Saturdays at Riverlands (January): Small-group meet-and-greets with a live bald eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary.
- Eagle Days at Riverlands (February): The St. Louis region’s biggest eagle festival, with spotting scopes, live eagle programs, and family activities.
- Eagle watching shuttle tours: Guided tours that do the driving and spotting for you.
Event dates change each year. Check with Great Rivers & Routes (the local tourism bureau) before you book. [CONFIRM 2027 dates when announced]
Eagle watching tips
- Bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Eagles often perch high in bluff-side trees.
- Dress for the river. Wind off the water makes it feel much colder than the forecast.
- Keep your distance. Stay in your car or at marked overlooks, and never approach a perched eagle.
- Look for white heads in bare trees. In winter, eagles stand out against the bluffs.
- Leave pets at home at wildlife areas and festival events.
Where to stay for eagle watching in Alton
The Great Rivers, an Ascend Collection Hotel is a warm, easy home base near the Mississippi River and the start of the Great River Road:
- Close to the action: Minutes from Melvin Price Locks and Dam and the Clark Bridge to Riverlands, and an easy drive up the river road to Grafton and Pere Marquette.
- Warm up afterward: A heated indoor pool after a cold morning on the river.
- Start early: A free breakfast buffet before first-light viewing.
- Easy parking: Free parking, even for large vehicles.
Make it a weekend: eagles in the morning, Grafton wineries in the afternoon, and dinner back at the hotel.
FAQ
When is the best time to see bald eagles in Alton, IL?
Late December through February, especially in cold stretches when rivers farther north freeze.
Where is the best place to see eagles near St. Louis?
The Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, and the Audubon Center at Riverlands are the top spots.
Is there a hotel near the Great River Road?
Yes. The Great Rivers hotel in Alton is minutes from the start of the Great River Road and the Mississippi River.