If you’re looking for somewhere to see bald eagles in Iowa then you’re in the right place.
Seeing a bald eagle in the wild is an incredible experience and should definitely be something you do at least once.
This post will tell you all of the best places to see bald eagles in Iowa and includes all the information you’ll need for unforgettable bald eagle views.
About Bald Eagles In Iowa
Bald eagles migrate south from Canada, Wisconsin and Minnesota and make parts of Iowa their home during the winter.
As the lakes and rivers freeze over with ice in Canada and the northern states during the winter, the eagles migrate south in search of open water where they can hunt for the food that they need in order to survive.
Around 2,500 bald eagles spend their winter along the Mississippi River in Iowa where they feed and hatch their young.
This makes Iowa a fantastic place to see bald eagles as the Mississippi River runs alongs the entire border of eastern Iowa.
Even though they are called ‘bald eagles’, the eagles are not really bald. In fact, they actually develop white feathers on their heads at 5 years old.
Here’s some quick facts about bald eagles:
- An adult eagle has around 7,000 feathers.
- Their eyesight is 7 times better than humans (they could read a newspaper a football field length away!).
- They have a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet.
- Bald eagles mate for life.
As the USA’s national bird, it’s a great idea to spend some time observing these majestic birds of prey at work.
I’d recommend getting a pair of binoculars so you get the best view.
Best Places To See Bald Eagles In Iowa
Iowa is a fantastic place to see bald eagles in the winter time.
The birds can be found near open water, particularly at locks and dams that keep the river from freezing. This provides the eagles with an area to hunt their primary food source – fish.
Below I’ve listed all the exact spots and locations where you can see bald eagles in Iowa.
Davenport
One of the best places to see bald eagles in Iowa is in Davenport, a city that lies along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa.
The best places to see bald eagles within Davenport are by the lock and dams. The turbulence created in the water by the dams provides lots of fish for the eagles to feed on.
There are also lots of wooded bluffs in these areas near the Mississippi River – they are excellent habitats for bald eagles as they provide shelter and are perfect for nesting.
Lock & Dam 15 is a top spot in Davenport, Iowa for seeing bald eagles. Credit Island Park is also another good option.
Check out the video below which shows an amazing bald eagle sighting in Davenport:
Des Moines
Another place in Iowa where you can often see bald eagles is Des Moines, the state’s capital.
One of the best places in Des Moines to see bald eagles is along the Des Moines River between the Scott Street bridge and SE 6th street bridge.
From this spot, you will be able to watch the eagles as they swoop down over the water’s surface and take their food from the river.
You can also commonly see the eagles sitting in the trees along the south side of the river. Their white heads should stand out among the dark branches.
Bald eagles can also commonly be spotted in Des Moines at Easter Lake and Gray’s Lake Park.
Check out the video below which shows the bald eagles of Gray’s Lake Park in Des Moines:
Le Claire
Another great place in Iowa where you can see bald eagles is in Le Claire.
Le Claire is a small city located just 20 minutes east of Davenport that also sits along the Mississippi River.
The best place in Le Claire to see bald eagles is at Lock & Dam 14. This is one of the most popular spots in Iowa for bald eagle viewing.
You can often see the beautiful bald eagles swooping over the Mississippi River, searching for their prey.
Bellevue
Another place where you can see bald eagles in Iowa is in Bellevue, a small city located along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa.
Bellevue is well known for its spectacular views of the Mississippi River, the winter home of bald eagles.
Head over to Lock & Dam 12 for fantastic bald eagle viewings.
Big Creek Lake
Another place in Iowa where you can often see bald eagles is at Big Creek Lake.
The lake is situated in Big Creek State Park just 2 miles north of Polk City. It spreads across 814 acres.
Bald eagles can often be spotted from several locations around this lake.
The lake is just a 30 minute drive from Des Moines so is super easy to access.
Saylorville Lake
Another spot in Iowa where you can see bald eagles is at Saylorville Lake.
Located just a few miles north of Des Moines, this huge lake covers 26,000-acres!
During the winter, many visitors come to Saylorville Lake to see a variety of wildlife including bald eagles.
Other animals present around the lake include coyotes and deer.
The best places to see the eagles around Saylorville Lake are at Sandpiper Recreation Area and just below the dam at Bob Shetler and Cottonwood Recreation Area.
Check out the video below which shows some bald eagles around Saylorville Lake:
Yellow Banks Park
Another place in Iowa where you can observe bald eagles is at Yellow Banks Park.
Yellow Banks Park is a 552-acre, scenic park that lies just a few miles east of downtown Des Moines.
Yellow Banks Park has several scenic overlooks with stunning views of the Des Moines River. This is a fantastic place to try and spot bald eagles during the winter.
Best Time Of Year To See Bald Eagles In Iowa
The best time of year to see bald eagles in Iowa is in the winter from December to February.
During this time, the bald eagles gather along the Mississippi River which runs through Iowa.
By the end of February, the eagles will usually have all departed to return to their summer homes in Canada, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Their presence during this time provides both incredible bird watching and photography opportunities.
The best time of day to see bald eagles in Iowa is from sunrise until around 3pm. The eagles can often be seen feeding in open water areas during this time.
Eagle Watching Tips
It’s important to remember that the bald eagles in Iowa are wild animals and they should be treated with respect.
To help protect the eagles, ensure that you don’t approach them. Try to stay as far away as you can, at least 400 yards.
This is really important as the eagles use as little energy as possible to maintain body heat so if you get too close, you may frighten them away meaning they burn up that much needed energy.
I’d recommend getting a pair of binoculars to ensure you still get an amazing view.
Thanks for reading this post on where to see bald eagles in Iowa.
Seeing a bald eagle in the wild is an incredible experience that you won’t forget.
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