Bald eagles migrate south each winter, from as far away as Alaska in search of food. The Columbia River provides an excellent food source and the trees around the dam provide for a favorite winter vacation spot.
The 16th annual Eagle Watch will be held at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center on January 17, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The visitor center will be open on Monday through Friday every week in January from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Scopes will be available for use.
It’s cold along the river, Dress accordingly. Be prepared for possible snow on the trails that take you down for a closer look at the convocation of Eagles on the water’s edge.
Plan to spend a day in The Dalles. The Columbia Gorge Discovery center offers the inspiring Raptor Program and downtown you’ll find great restaurants, brew pubs, murals, shopping, wineries and of course, the Bald Eagles along the River.
Reserve your stay at a Columbia Gorge Bed and Breakfast. To expand your Columbia Gorge Birding experience be sure to have maps of the Oregon Cascade Birding Trails on hand.
When your journey ends, your bags are unpacked, and you’re scrolling through your vacation photos you will reminisce on memories of great accommodations, food, conversation and birding in Oregon.
Since 1989, the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has served as a statewide information network for its member properties, providing a unified voice for the industry with state regulatory and tourism agencies.
Now known as The Oregon Association of Independent Inns, we’re the same trusted organization, with a new name, a fresh look, and an expanded focus on independent lodging properties beyond traditional bed and breakfasts. Member properties represent a wide range of accommodations, from small guest cottages, cabins, and intimate two-room B&Bs to larger country inns, boutique hotels and dude ranches.
Oregon Association of Independent Inns are ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved member of the Oregon Association of Independent Inns.
