Eagle Days at Old Chain of Rocks Offers Sightings, Activities

During winter months, the Mississippi River hosts one of North America's largest concentrations of bald eagles. They are drawn to areas of open water in search of fish, their preferred food.

The rapids to the south of the Chain of Rocks bridge create open waters which are ideal fishing waters for eagles.

Visitors are invited to view eagles through spotting scopes staffed by trained volunteers at any time during Eagle Days on the Old Chain of Rocks bridge Jan. 14 and 15 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

This is a unique opportunity to watch them fish, ride ice floes, soar overhead and roost in nearby trees.

The World Bird Sanctuary both days will present an educational program, repeated every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., featuring a live eagle. Programming includes a hands-on exhibit of local birds presented by St. Louis Audubon, a full-size replica of an eagle's nest and warming tent activities including children's art courtesy of The Green Center on Saturday.

All activities are free. Both paid and free parking are available.

Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is produced through a partnership of The Confluence Partnership, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

Visitors will also enjoy Lewis and Clark living history demonstrations at both bridge entrances. The Missouri bridge entrance will feature re-enactors from the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles.

Visitors can see how Lewis and Clark and their crew lived, cooked and traveled more than 200 years ago. Demonstrations will also include a flag raising at 10 a.m. and lowering at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Illinois side will feature re-enactors from the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford. Both entrances will showcase life-size replicas of boats (called “pirogues”) used during the expedition.

Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes (eagle viewing occurs at the center of the Bridge, a half-mile walk from each Bridge entrance), and leave their pets at home.

Hot food and drink will be available on site for purchase.

If You Go...

To get to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge from St. Louis, take Interstate 270 east toward Illinois. Exit at Riverview Drive and turn right.

Turn left into the entrance of the Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Park/Missouri Bridge. Parking at the Missouri bridge entrance costs $5.

Free parking is available at two satellite lots in Missouri, the St. Louis Welcome Center at Riverview and Interstate 270 and North Riverfront Park, off of Riverview south of the waterworks. A free shuttle will be available from both locations.

Sponsors to date include Dana Brown Charitable Trust, Trio Foundation of St. Louis, Edward Jones, Great Rivers Greenway, Illinois Conservation Foundation, Metro East Parks and Recreation District, Pettus Foundation, Missouri American Water, Cargill, American's Central Port, and ConocoPhillips.