Eagle Watch Cruises Begin at Hobbs State Park

The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782 and a spiritual symbol for native people for far longer than that.  It sits on top of the food chain and can claim to be one of only two eagle species native to North America.

This raptor (which means to seize by force) can fly up to 10,000 feet in the air and isn’t bald at all.  The name “bald” eagle comes from the fact that at maturity, it has a white feathered head.

Although they can be seen eating small mammals, birds, and carrion, bald eagles are mainly fish eaters.  When the lakes freeze up north, the eagles must travel south to find open waters to find the fish they desire, and that’s why we see them on Beaver Lake.

Hobbs State Park eagle cruise tours are fun, educational, and can be downright exciting when eagles swoop down close to the boat or are having a spat with a pair of red-tailed hawks in a tree right next to you.  

These tours are offered November through February.  Eagles can be seen any of these months on Beaver Lake, and the knowledgeable interpreter accompanying you on the cruise will answer all of your eagle questions.

November and December Hobbs eagle cruise dates:

November:  5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

December:   3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

(January and February eagle cruise dates to be announced later)

- Tickets must be purchased in advance.  Adults:  $15.00 + tax.   Children:  6-12   $7.50 + tax. 

- Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3:00 p.m. 

- To make reservations, call Hobbs State Park at: 479-789-5000.

About Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area heads the list as the largest of Arkansas’s 52 state parks with a 12,054-acre tract of Ozark landscape along the southern shore of Beaver Reservoir.  It is a significant component of the northwest Arkansas ecosystem with carefully managed human impact.

Highlights of this day-use park include a diverse, 54-mile trail system constructed for hiking, running, ADA, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails.  The Park offers 11 primitive campsites, six available to mountain bikers, the first of their kind in northwest Arkansas.  Hobbs is the only state park in Arkansas to allow regulated hunting.  The visitor center includes exhibits about the park’s natural resources, limestone landscape, and history.  Interpretive programs and workshops are offered throughout the year.

About Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,400 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. The system includes 1,100 buildings (including 183 historic structures), six National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, 16 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and War Memorial Stadium.

The state parks have 1,800 campsites, 1,050 picnic sites, 208 cabins, five lodges, and 415 miles of trails. Eight million visitors annually come from all regions of the country. Park staffs provide over 42,000 education programs, activities, and special events to more than 700,000 participants each year.

Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism, and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more about everything we have to offer.