Audubon Center at Riverlands

3013 Riverlands Way
West Alton, Missouri 63386
636-899-0090

Free admission and free parking in multiple lots

https://www.audubon.org/riverlands  

Opened in 2011

This center is part of a network of thirty-three Audubon Centers in the USA. It is located in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which consists of 3700 acres on the Mississippi River near the confluence with the Missouri River.  

The center's mission is to "to connect people to the beauty and significance of the Mississippi River and the Great Rivers confluence, to inspire conservation of the river’s rich diversity in birds, wildlife and other natural resources, and to support healthy, vibrant communities."

Inside the building are a number of displays about birds and other wildlife found in the area. 

The back of the room is mostly glass allowing visitors to look out and observe birds from inside.  You can see the windows looking out towards water on both sides of this duck display below. They have telescopes set up allowing you to see eagles from the building.  

Facing the windows are several benches with wonderful quotes on their backs. 

There are more than 8.5 miles of trails through the Riverlands. They go through prairies, marshes and bottomland forest habitats. This trail goes by the water. 

This view looking towards the locks and dam was from a viewing platform.

And then there are the birds! 60% of all North American birds and 40% of the nation's waterfowl find food, shelter, and safe passage here. Each season brings different species with a total of 300+ species coming through here annually. 

Unfortunately, we were too late to see the 1600 trumpeter swans that were at the Audubon Center two weeks prior to our late February visit. But we did see eagles and a pelican.

We also visited one of the two large bird blinds in the sanctuary. The Avis Spiralis or "spiral-bird" is a one-of-a-kind bird blind and observatory. It sits 20 feet tall.

It was designed and largely built by a professor at Washington University and was dedicated in October 2025. About 85% of the concrete used was made with locally sourced material such as sand from the Mississippi River.

The observatory overlooks Heron Pond, the best wetland area in the sanctuary for observing birds. 

When we left the Audubon Center we drove 30 minutes to Pere Marquette State Park north of Grafton, Illinois, where we spent the night in the lodge after enjoying their well-known family-style fried chicken dinner. 

In the morning we went into the Visitors Center to hear a talk on eagles and for a quick tour of the displays which included animals, murals, and other typical museum items.

We then took off caravan-style on a six-hour eagle hunting expedition with a wonderful guide who has been doing this for many years and knows where to look.  Unfortunately, we did not see many eagles on this late date but it was a great experience.  And we learned a so much about eagles. 

We also saw trumpeter swans and Canadian geese. 

And we ate lunch by the Joe Page bridge in Hardin, IL, the bridge with the largest lift span in the world.

And we got to see the lift go up!

The eagle tour which is only held certain days January-early March, was a great experience. We even rode the vehicle ferry twice!

Comments: We highly recommend both the Audubon Center and the Pere Marquette eagle tour - both are free! I hope to return to see the Audubon Center sanctuary in different seasons when it draws different birds. 

The eagle tour was excellent helped by a blue sky and fairly decent weather.  I do feel like we went maybe too late in the season and would recommend going in January or early February.