EAGLE Watch

Fwine tastings, delicious dinners, scenic hikes and cozy cabins, but this majestic stretch of North-Central Illinois is also home to some of the best winter eagle watching the Midwest has to offer.

Bald Eagle

The Illinois Audubon Society’s Plum Island Sanctuary, located at the base of the Starved Rock Lock, has long been a favorite wintering site for bald eagles. The broken-up ice, reliable food source and sturdy nesting trees make this small stretch of the Illinois River a reliable place for birders, photographers and nature lovers to see these beautiful birds of prey in their natural habitat.

During their wintering season, which lasts anywhere between December and March, you’ll often spot these eagles circling above broken ice, trying to find their next meal, or roosting among the island’s tallest trees – but the best time to spot them is Eagle Watch Weekend, which is slated to be held January 27-28, 2024. This fest is devoted to bringing guests closer to these feathered friends with informational talks, eagle encounters, bird-watching excursions and discounted lodging bundles.

The festivities include guided eagle viewing hikes, a birds-of-prey informational programs, live shows with real bald eagles, children’s activities and much more!

Follow our Facebook page to stay up to date about Eagle Watch Weekend 2024.

37. Father Marquette Memorial 38. Heritage Corridor CVB Visitors Center 39. LaSalle County Historical Society Museum Campus

31. Spring Lake Nature Area 32. Streator City Park 33. Streatorland Historical Museum 34. Weber House & Garden 35. WWII Canteen Monument

SENECA 25. IL LST (Landing Ship Tank) Memorial 26. MJ Hogan Grain Elevator 27. Seneca Area History Museum

WEDRON 40. Charles Lindbergh Crash Site Marker

TROY GROVE 36. Wild Bill Hickok State Memorial UTICA

SHERIDAN 28. Norsk Museum STREATOR 29. Hopalong Cassidy River Trail & Canoe Launch 30. Sandy Ford Conservation Area

18. IL Waterway Visitors Center 19. LaSalle County Genealogy Guild 20. Ottawa Visitors Center 20. Reddick Mansion 20. Washington Square Park and Murals 21. Riverwalk & Fox River Park 22. Skydive Chicago PERU 23. Baker Lake Park 24. Westclox Museum

OGLESBY 13. Memorial Park MATTHIESSEN STATE PARK 14. McPhedran Park STARVED ROCK STATE PARK & VISITOR CENTER

MARSEILLES ILLINI STATE PARK 7. Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial & Museum

EARLVILLE 1. Earlville Historical Society Museum 2. RT 34 Drive-In Theater

To extend your drive to Illini State Park and other LaSalle County locations along the river.

OTTAWA BUFFALO ROCK STATE PARK 15. Catlin Park 16. Dayton Bluffs 17. I & M Tollhouse and Replica Canal Boat

MENDOTA 8. Breaking the Prairie Museum 9. Hume-Carnegie Museum & Veterans Park 10. Lake Kakusha 11. Snyder Grove Park 12. Union Depot Railroad Museum

Shabbona County Park LASALLE

Hegeler Carus Mansion IL & MICHIGAN CANAL STATE TRAIL

Part of the Illinois River Road Scenic Byway and Canyon Drive with connecting roads.

Lock 16 Visitors Center/Lock14/I&M Canal Boat 6. Mitchell Grove Nature Preserve

SCENIC DRIVES: