American Eagle Foundation: Bald Eagles and Birds of Prey in Kodak

About

The American Eagle Foundation is a nonprofit devoted to bald eagles and other birds of prey, and its headquarters in Kodak lets visitors meet them up close. Set on 57 acres in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains just off I-40 Exit 407, the center houses what it calls the nation's largest aviaries. More than 40 resident raptors live here, all non-releasable, and every visit supports their care and the foundation's conservation and education work.

A paved, ADA-compliant path leads from the museum to more than 38,000 square feet of outdoor aviaries, a round trip of about 1.5 miles, where you will see bald and golden eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures. Inside, the Raptor Museum tells the story of famous eagles such as Challenger and Osceola, lets you measure your wingspan against native species and has light-up wings for photos. Kids can climb out of a giant eagle's nest at the Raptor Roost playscape. The Talons and Tidbits experience lets up to four guests, ages 5 and up, feed birds with tongs.

Self-guided visits run Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM year-round, plus Saturdays 10 AM to 2 PM from April 15 through October 31, with no reservation needed. Guided tours run Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 AM in summer and 11 AM in winter and require 24 hours' notice. The suggested self-guided donation is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students 6 to 18; children 5 and under are free. Only service animals are allowed, and pets may not be left in vehicles.

AI rendering based on visitor photos, not an actual photo