The 10 Best Falconry Experiences in the USA

1.Colorado Springs Hands-On Falconry Class and Demonstration

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 293 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $217Our pick

Meet eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons with licensed falconers including Deanna, Roger, Nicole, and Sara. You will learn how birds hunt, watch hawks fly free outdoors, and finish by holding a trained Saker Falcon. Morning and afternoon classes are offered.

“The experience is very educational. Everyone involved is friendly & professional. They introduce you to several different birds, explain their differences & their individual hunting styles. They also assist you in getting pictures to document your visit. Deanna & Nicole were a great team & I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves birds or is looking for a unique experience during their stay in Colorado Springs. There's also an advanced class I may have to come back to take!”

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2.Steve Falcon’s Comedy Hypnosis Hour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $49Best value

Spend 75 minutes with Steve Falcon at Charles Bach Wonders Theatre for rapid-fire comedy, hypnosis, mentalism, and audience participation. The 18+ show begins at 9:15 p.m. and ends with a meet and greet, photo opportunities, and plenty of unscripted moments.

“Funny but it took a while to kick the pretenders off stage. I laughed really hard at the volunteers . Speaking to folks they really did not remember.”

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3.Experience Raptors and Falconry in Reno

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $125

Meet Kathleen and learn falconry, raptor biology, conservation, and field identification in a group of six or fewer. You’ll handle an owl and falcon, then join a Hawk Walk with Zulu, a trained Harris’ Hawk, as she flies to your gloved hand. Participants must be over 14 to hold birds.

“Having the hawk fly to me and land on my hand was amazing. Kathleen is enthusiastic and loves sharing her knowledge of raptors and falconry. Highly recommend.”

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4.Rafting to Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve from Haines

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $179

Leave Haines by small-group vehicle for a scenic drive to the Chilkat River, then float calm channels for about 90 minutes. Guides such as Steve, Russ, Davey, and Joe share local wildlife and preserve knowledge. Watch for eagles and nests, enjoy a picnic lunch, and return to the port.

“When we reached Haines, we got off the ship at 8:30 it was raining sideways and was very cold, obviously it was Alaska so not so unexpected. However, going on a rafting trip that morning would have been very unpleasant, no matter how well we dressed. The guide stated they were running a trip in the afternoon that wasn't full, we asked if we could switch to that one in hopes of the weather breaking a bit. He wasn't receptive and wasn't very pleasant just said no. If the afternoon trip wasn't full they should have given us the option, lost the entire cost of the trip, more than 300…”

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5.Grand Canyon West: Flight of the Condor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 49 reviews · 20 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Fly over Grand Canyon West for about 20 minutes in a small aircraft carrying no more than nine people. Your pilot narrates sights such as Skywalk and Guano Point, then you return to the terminal with shuttle access available if you add West Rim admission.

“First off- place is extremely easy to find. Its about 20 minutes drive from Grand Canyon Village or about 5 min from anywhere in Tusayan. Parking is ample.”

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6.Condor Sailing Fun, Relaxing Public Dolphin & Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Join Captain Kirk aboard Condor for a relaxed two-hour Pensacola Bay cruise limited to six people. Look for dolphins, rays, and shorebirds, enjoy views of Fort Pickens National Seashore, and move around the boat from the side seats to the bow. Snacks and drinks are included.

“Don’t waste your money. This adventure was overpriced. Also summary on Viator is misleading. We did not come anywhere near Fort Pickens.”

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7.Half-Day Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Float Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $181

You’ll ride a coach from Haines to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, then float a calm river in an 18-foot raft with a guide. Expect mountain views, salmon-feeding eagles, rubber boots, a riverside lunch, and a small group capped at eight. Guides such as Liam and Livvie have earned strong praise.

“Great narrative by our guides on the way to launching our rafts which provided a great backdrop for our float. Very able guides worked together and enhanced our excursion. The alluvial river gave a unique experience for a rafting adventure. We saw 35 bald eagles along the way, with many of them in pairs.”

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8.Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting – Skagway Departure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $305

Ride the fast ferry from Skagway to Haines, then float 1.5 hours through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve with a guide such as Ashley, Anna, Tyler, or Dave. You do not paddle. Watch for eagles, bear tracks, moose, otters, and dramatic mountain views before a picnic lunch.

“This was our family's first rafting trip, and it was a great one! We have 5 children ranging in age from 19-8 years old, so it can be difficult to find activities that everyone enjoys. This adventure was equally enjoyed by everyone! It was very windy, drizzly, and cold, so we were very appreciative of the crew's anticipating our needs. They had extra socks and ponchos for all of us. We were also thankful for the lunch they provided after rafting. Our guide and driver were both very knowledgeable and friendly. Great experience! I highly recommend it.”

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9.Colorado’s Birds of Prey Full-Day with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Join Ryan of Birding Man Wildlife Tours for a private, full-day search for Colorado’s birds of prey. You’ll visit several natural areas around Denver, learn about raptor behavior and ecology, and enjoy lunch, snacks, water, and private transport. The route may also include nearby towns and a beautiful church.

“Ryan was professional and fun! He is enthusiastic about birding and shared a lot of interesting information with me. We also toured a few towns and a beautiful church . Very well planned tour and I’m guessing custom designed for me. Thanks Ryan!!”

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10.Ketchikan Shore Excursion: Eagle Sanctuary and Rainforest Wildlife Center

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $272

Travel from Ketchikan to Herring Cove for a guided forest walk, Eagle Creek wetlands, and seasonal wildlife viewing. You may see bald eagles, bears, seals, and marine birds, then visit reindeer, raptors, a sawmill, and a totem carver. Guides such as Gavin and Angie have earned high marks.

“There is no wildlife center or Eagle sanctuary. This is false advertising as the rescue portion was closed down over a year ago. We did not get a tasting of salmon or anything else. We walked for 1.5 hours through a privately owned rain forest to learn about the flora and fauna (literally). He was very knowledgeable and was the only hood part of the trip. There was no wildlife and of course a gift shop area at the end of the walk with shopping, a blacksmith, and a bar. What we paid was extremely expensive for just getting the tour through the rainforest. No eagles, no wildlife at all.…”

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