Eyeing Eagles Across The Natural StateArkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Listed below are places throughout Arkansas that will offer eagle-watching tours or host eagle-related events this winter. Interested individuals are encouraged to call ahead to ensure availability and confirm dates.
Arkansas Outdoor Adventures, Eureka Springs. This company offers "Eagles and Elk" outdoor adventures that begin at the Basin Park Hotel in downtown Eureka Springs. Each tour, which includes breakfast, starts with a drive through the Ozarks to Trigger Gap to view eagles at dawn. Next is a visit to Ponca to look for elk grazing in pastures. The trip includes a moderate hike to view Native American cave dwellings and a waterfall. It ends with lunch in Kingston. Tours run daily through March 16 and are from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $65 per person. Phone (877) 643-4972 or e-mail adventure@basinpark.com for more information.
Bull Shoals-White River State Park, Lakeview. Bull Shoals Lake and the
White River below Bull Shoals Dam play host to more than 100 bald eagles
migrating to and through this prime wintering ground. During Eagle Awareness
2004 (Jan. 9-10) visitors can see eagles, hawks, owls, and other birds of
prey in the wild. Eagle-spotting lake tours, van tours, guided bird walks
and guest speakers, including one from the Little Rock Zoo that will bring a
mature bald eagle and other birds of prey, will be part of the event.
Admission: activities free; lake tours, $6 adult; $3 children. Contact: Ashlie Dodson at (870) 431-5521 or
ashlie.dodson@mail.state.ar.us. DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Bismarck. The state park, which features eagle-watching barge tours throughout the winter season, will host one of Arkansas's signature eagle events, the Eagles Et Cetera Festival, Jan. 23-25. The event, in its 25th year, involves informative programs, field trips and barge tours to discover bald eagles and other birds wintering at DeGray Lake. Outdoor adventures also include "Owl Prowls," falconry demonstrations and guided bird walks. Admission: most programs, free; lake tours, $6 for adults, $3 for children. The park will provide numerous eagle-watching tours throughout the weekend. Call or check the Web site for details. DeGray also offers eagle-watching tours at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday on the following dates: Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14 and 20; Jan. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 and 31; Feb. 1, 7 and 8. For more information on any of the events, programs or tours, contact Kelley Farrell or Brad DePriest at (501) 865-2801 or degray@arkansas.com or visit www.degray.com.
Kings River Outfitters, Eureka Springs. Guide Ernie Kilman provides
hiking trips, canoe trips or driving excursions near Eureka Springs to view
bald eagles. As many as 35 to 100 eagles have been seen in one day on the
floating trips. Other birds often spotted include golden eagles and great
white pelicans. Trips are offered seven days a week by appointment. Morning
or afternoon guided hiking trips are available, and the five-mile canoe trip
lasts about five hours. Cost: half-day hikes, $65 per person; float trip,
$100 per person. Contact: Ernie Kilman at (479) 253-8954. Lake Catherine State Park, Hot Springs. Join eagle-watching enthusiasts for an hour-long tour of Lake Catherine on Jan. 17. The barge tours depart at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Admission: free. Contact: Glynda Pryor at (501) 844-4176 or lakecatherine@arkansas.com.
Lake Chicot State Park, Lake Village. Waterfowl and eagle programs as well as several tours to look for waterfowl, bald eagles and other birds are planned for Winter Wings Weekend (Feb. 7-8). Cabins and campsites are available. Admission: programs free; tours $6 adults, $3 children 6-12. Contact: Lake Chicot State Park at (870) 265-5480 or lakechicot@arkansas.com.
Lake Dardanelle State Park, Russellville. Dress warmly for two-hour barge
tours led by park interpreters on the Arkansas River to see eagles, other
birds of prey and migratory waterfowl. Birds often spotted include osprey
and white pelicans. The program includes bird identification, view of the
lock and dam and discussion of the river navigation system. Tour dates: Dec.
6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21; Jan. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31; and Feb. 1, 7,
8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Saturday tours begin at 10 a.m. and Sunday tours begin
at 2 p.m. Limit of 12 passengers per tour. Participants must sign-up in
advance. Contact: Lake Dardanelle State Park at (479) 967-5516 or
lakedardanelle@arkansas.com.
Lake Ouachita State Park, Mountain Pine. On Wednesday and Saturday throughout December and January, the park provides two-hour barge tours that depart at 1 p.m. each day in search of bald eagles. Those planning to participate should dress warmly and are encouraged to bring binoculars. Admission for barge tours: $6.46 for adults, $3.23 for children 6-12. Contact: James Wilborn at (501) 767-9367 or james.wilborn@mail.state.ar.us.
Mountain Harbor Resort, Mount Ida. Barge tours on Lake Ouachita to view wintering bald eagles and other wildlife are offered Saturday and Sunday throughout February. Tours begin at 1:30 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and special lodging packages are available. Admission: $5.75 adults, $3.75 children. Contact: The lodge at (870) 867-2191 or harbor@mountainharborresort.com.
Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton. Jan. 17-18, park interpreters devote two days to programs about eagles and other birds of prey. Activities include field trips to Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge to see wintering bald eagles along the Arkansas River. Admission: free. Contact: John Morrow or Lori Anderson at (501) 727-5441 or petitjean@arkansas.com.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park, near Little Rock. Eagle-watching tours led by park interpreters take place on nearby Lake Maumelle Jan. 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25. The barge tours depart at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 10 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Advance reservations and payments are required. Admission: $5.50 plus tax for adults, $2.75 plus tax for children under 12. Contact: Jason Parrie at (501) 868-5806 or jason.parrie@mail.state.ar.us.
Rocky Branch Marina on Beaver Lake, Rogers. The 11th annual Eagle Watch Weekend Cruises onboard the Belle of the Ozarks depart from Rocky Branch Marina on Beaver Lake at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Jan. 23, 24 and 26. Expert guides on each two-hour cruise inform passengers about bald eagles on Beaver Lake. A 6 p.m. Saturday buffet dinner at Prairie Creek Steak and Seafood House will be followed by speaker Lynn Sciumbato at 7 p.m. Sciumbato will have on hand about 10 live birds of prey. An "Owl Prowl" will take place at 8:30 p.m. During cruises in recent years, as many as 42 eagles have been spotted. All seats for cruises are reserved and must be pre-paid. Admission: $16 adults, $7 children under 12 years. A portion of the proceeds are donated to Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Bentonville, which rehabilitates injured birds and releases them back into the wild if possible. Contact: Jay or Mary Anne Viator of Eureka Springs at 1-800-552-3803, (479) 253-6200 or viator@ipa.net.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
ent of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
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