Eagle Festival returning to Reelfoot Lake

EAGLES OF REELFOOT LAKE

Flying alone or in pairs, they soar on magnificent wings, migrating south from the Great Lakes and isolated regions of  Canada to spend the winter in Northwest Tennessee. The Bald Eagle (weighing around 16 pounds with a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet)  has made this annual winter pilgrimage to Reelfoot Lake for generations. 

Bald eagles, the emblem of our nation, continue to face threats. Many Americans have never experienced the privilege of  witnessing these majestic birds in their natural habitat or feeling the awe of their powerful and graceful flight.  Reelfoot Lake has one of the largest wintering populations of Bald Eagles outside of Alaska, and the return of eagles has  become a major event. The familiar image of the eagle is that of the mature bird with the stately “balde” meaning white wig, its’ crown of feathers, making it known as the bald eagle. The immature eagle is less than five years of age and completely brown  therefore sometimes mistaken for large hawks. 

Reelfoot Lake State Park provides an opportunity to see our national symbol in its natural habitat. During the eagle tour, other  birds can be observed around this 15,500-acre lake. There are over 100,000 ducks, 6,000 Canada Geese, and 254 species of birds  that visit the lake each year. Reelfoot Lake is a unique bird watchers paradise. A winter birding check list is available at the State  Park Visitors Center. 

The state park has established interpretive programs for winter visitors to Reelfoot Lake. Eagle tours begin early January and  continue through the last weekend of February. Eagle tours are two hours and will depart from the Visitor Center Saturday &  Sunday at 10am or 1:30pm on Monday – Friday. Reservations are recommended and tours are $20 per person. Call 731-253- 9652 for reservations. Private group reservations are available. 

The 21st Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival will be held at the State Park Visitors Center on the weekend of January 31 to February  2, 2025. This event offers eagle tours, special programs, vendors, arts and photography contests, children’s activities and opportunities to learn more about Reelfoot Lake and the majestic eagle. See the festival schedule for more information.

21st ANNUAL REELFOOT LAKE EAGLE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, January 31, 2025 

• 9:30am – 8:00pm – Vendors Open in Ellington Hall Building (State Park)
• 10:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours –2-hour
• 1:30pm – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour
• 3:30pm – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour
• 5:45pm – Welcome & Overview FOR ALL Eagle & Waterfowl Watcher’s
• 6:00pm – Slide Show on Beauty & Creatures of the Wetlands at Reelfoot Lake

Saturday, February 1, 2025 

• 6:00am – Sunrise Photo Tour -Meet at Reelfoot Lake Visitors Center $50.00 PER PERSON
• 8:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour
• 9:00am – 8:00pm – Vendors Open at Ellington Hall Building (State Park)
• 10:00am – 4:00pm – Children’s Activities – Duck Decoy Painting or 5×7 Canvas Panel
• 10:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour (12:15pm Birds of Prey Program included)
• 12:15pm – Live Birds of Prey Program – With John & Dale Stokes
• 1:00pm – Deadline to submit entries for Art & Photography Contests (Ribbons placed at 6:00pm)
• 1:30pm – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours – 2-hour (12:15pm Birds of Prey Program included)
• 3:30pm – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours—2-hour (6:00pm Birds of Prey Program included)
• 6:00pm -Live Birds of Prey Program – With John & Dale Stokes

Sunday, February 2, 2025 

• 8:00am-2:00pm Vendors Open at Ellington Hall Building (State Park) 
• 8:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours –2-hour
• 10:00am – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours –2-hour
• 1:30pm – Eagle & Waterfowl Tours -2-hour
• Eagle Tours: Reservation required 731-253-9652 or tnstateparks.com, $20 per person
• Children’s Activities: $7 per person/per activity – Art & Photography Contest: $10 per entry
• Reelfoot Lake State Park — Tennessee State Parks (tnstateparks.com)
• Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council (reelfoottourism.com)
• Birds of Prey Program (soarsouth.org) A fun and informative 45–60-minute program with live birds of prey. Bring the whole family out, stay at one of our great resorts, and enjoy this momentous and memorable weekend! 

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