Story By Ben Alford
As we enter the New Year 2026, I begin thinking about some of the most exciting outdoor adventures I have had in and around Marshall County Alabama. Two years ago my young friend Katie Battle and I attended an Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park. I had heard of this activity for years and even seen photos of friends sitting in the park auditorium with eagles, hawks and owls flying over their heads. I kept this in the back of my mind for years, thinking to myself, “I should do this someday.” Ten years later, thanks to my friend Katie, someday finally came!
I am encourage you not to wait ten years as I did, but to make plans to attend one of the two 2026 Eagle Awareness Weekends taking place less than a month from now. Eagle Awareness Weekends will be held January 23-25 and January 30-February 1 at Lake Guntersville State Park.
This is the 40th year of Eagle Awareness at Lake Guntersville State Park. Created to coincide with Alabama’s Bald Eagle Restoration Program in 1985 and steeped in the tradition of birding lore and legend, Eagle Awareness annually spans two dynamic weekends (Friday through Sunday) at Lake Guntersville State Park.
Featuring live bird demonstrations and programs provided by notable speakers, guided safaris for viewing eagles in their natural habitat, and the natural beauty of the mountains and Lake Guntersville, Eagle Awareness Weekends create opportunities annually for hundreds of guests to experience and learn about the natural history of majestic eagles, wild creatures, and other birds of prey.( From the AlaPark website)A
The upcoming Eagle Awareness Weekends will include live bird demonstrations by Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education, Wings to SOAR, Alabama Wildlife Center, and Auburn University Raptor Center. Numerous field trips are included in the package. On Saturday, January 31, Alabama State Parks will present the Eagle Awards to a group of people who have served Alabama State Parks in exemplary fashion. (From Outdoor Alabama)
The park is offering Lodge packages, Campground packages, and day passes:
• Lodge packages are available at alapark.com/EagleAwarenessWeekends.
• To secure a Campground package, you will need to reserve your campsite and then call the Lodge at (256) 571-5440 to add Eagle Awareness onto your stay.
• A limited number of day passes ($25 per adult and $15 for children) will be available at the Lodge front desk each Saturday morning of the event on a first-come, first-served basis. Day passes give attendees access to the live bird performances and educational workshops on Saturday, but they don’t include meals, access to the other activities/field trips or accommodations. I suggest arriving between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. to purchase Saturday passes.
These weekends provide an exciting opportunity for adults and children to see and learn about these amazing birds firsthand. Don’t wait ten years as I did, make plans not to be a part of the history of the restoration and excitement of Bald Eagles and other Raptors in Alabama. I hope to see you there.
