Where you can see bald eagles in Utah this winter

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — February is the best time of year to see America’s favorite bird, the bald eagle, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Bald eagles visit the Beehive State in winter, according to the DWR, migrating to find food and escape colder conditions up north. By February, hundreds of the treasured birds are typically flying in the state.

The DWR is hosting three viewing events around Utah in February, offering the chance to see the eagles and learn a thing or two about them along the way. The events will be hosted in southern, central, and northern Utah, so you have the chance to go no matter where you are in the state.

The first of the viewing events will be held at Rush Lake Ranch in southern Utah. The ranch is located at 9000 North Minersville Highway (State Route 130), about 12 miles north of Cedar City, and the event will take place on Friday, Feb. 2, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“To reach the site, take exit 62 off I-15 and head north on State Route 130. Drive approximately 10 miles, and you will reach the viewing event along the side of the highway. DWR staff will be there to answer questions and to help you spot bald eagles nearby. Spotting scopes will be available to use, but you should bring your own binoculars if you have them,” a release from the DWR states.

The second event will be held at the Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery in central Utah on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hatchery is located at 1450 West 24950 North in Fountain Green.

Once there, you will be directed to a place where you can view the eagles, around one mile from the hatchery. DWR staff and volunteers will be “near a large tree” where up to 50 bald eagles have been seen in past years, the release states. If eagles are not perched in the large tree, you can likely find one around Sanpete Valley, according to the DWR.

Spotting scopes will reportedly be set up and available for use, but you are also encouraged to bring your own.

“If you’re coming from the north, you can reach the hatchery by taking I-15 and exiting the freeway at the second Nephi exit (Exit 225). After exiting the freeway, turn east on State Route 132 and travel about 10 miles. About 1 mile before the city of Fountain Green, a Bald Eagle Day sign will point you to an access road that leads to the hatchery,” the release states.

The third event will be held at the DWR’s George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center at 1157 South Waterfowl Way in Farmington. It will run on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From the center, you should be able to see the bald eagles that have migrated into the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area b

You also have the chance to find bald eagles at several other locations in northern and northeastern Utah, according to the DWR. Here are some of the best areas:

• In trees along the Weber River, near Croydon and just below Echo Reservoir.
• Willard Bay Reservoir, west of Willard. You can often see eagles in trees near the reservoir.
• Compton’s Knoll at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area, west of Corinne. You can view bald eagles and other wildlife from the Compton’s Knoll viewing area on the south side of the WMA. The rest of the WMA is closed to visitors.
• Ouray National Wildlife Refuge located in Randlett, Uintah County.