Plum Island Eagle Sanctuary, Bald eagle sanctuary across from Starved Rock State Park, Illinois.
Plum Island Eagle Sanctuary is a protected habitat on an island in the Illinois River that provides shelter for wintering bald eagles. This roughly 52-acre area sits near Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.
The island was the site of archaeological excavations in the 1930s that uncovered thousands of artifacts from settlements more than 4,000 years old. These discoveries reveal a lengthy human presence at this location.
The Illinois Audubon Society acquired the land to protect both eagle populations and Native American heritage from development. Visitors can appreciate this conservation mission from the surrounding riverbanks.
The sanctuary is typically closed to the public to protect the eagles and archaeological resources. Your best option for viewing it is from overlooks and riverbanks along the Illinois River.
The island once operated as an airpark with cable car access until 1970. A major flood destroyed this infrastructure and led to its permanent closure.
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