IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VISITORS IN 2026
Dear Friends of Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, this year is the 50th anniversary of the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch; one of the longest-running hawk watches in North America! Although the old Inn is still deteriorating, we do plan to have another super season! Below is some important information about the 2026 fall hawk watch season.
FIRST, vehicle access to the parking lot at the Inn is now restricted by a locked gate on the road going up the hill from Rt 250. Access to the Inn from Rt 610 is also blocked. All this is an attempt to prevent vandals from driving up there at night and conducting nasty activities. However, we do expect to allow visitors to the hawk watch during the day. Although the gate will typically be closed and locked 24 hours a day; during days when the hawk watch is open this fall, the gate will be opened in the morning by the Counter to allow visitors access to the hawk watch. When the hawk watch ends for the day (as decided by the Counter), visitors can remain watching for hawks if they desire. However, by early evening, the caretaker of the Inn will require all vehicles to exit so that the gate can be closed and locked for overnight.
Thus, before visiting, we recommend that visitors check our online calendar for the status of the hawk watch on any particular day, which can be viewed here: https://teamup.com/ks8ce2f67675d2e336. This calendar indicates the days and times that are signed up for by our Counters (and thus when the hawk watch is expected to be open). Our Counters will do their best to sign up early and accurately to indicate the days and times for when the hawk watch will be open, which will depend on weather and availability of counters. However, sometimes Counters can’t sign up until the night before or even the morning of a hawk count day (we are all just volunteers). If no-one is signed up as Counter for a particular day, then the hawk watch will be closed and there will be no access (i.e. the gate will remain closed). Our hawk watch season spans August 15 to November 30. Outside of those dates, it is expected that access to the Inn (an eBird hotspot location) will remain blocked 24 hours/day.
SECOND, the back of the Inn (around the corner on the sidewalk toward the patio) will be completely off limits to visitors. This area has become dangerous with lots of broken glass on the ground as well as overhead.
THIRD, we will have a port-a-potty on sight for visitors through Nov 30, but there are no other amenities. Thus, be sure to bring some supplies for your visit such as: food, drink, a hat, sunscreen, a chair or blanket, and of course your binoculars. A spotting scope is also recommended for those distant raptors (and many of our raptors are distant).
We look forward to your visit this season!