Falconry at the Greenbrier
4.7(11)google
Wildlife WatchingBird WatchingInteractiveEducationalFamily
Overview
The Falconry experience at The Greenbrier offers an elite, deeply engaging opportunity to interact directly with majestic birds of prey under the strict guidance of professional master falconers. Located within the resort's expansive historic estate, this interactive program teaches participants the fascinating history, training techniques, and behavior of hawks, falcons, and owls. Guests can experience the unforgettable thrill of having a trained hawk launch from their gloved hand and return smoothly from the forest canopy.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeA highly customized, premier outdoor falconry experience, best booked during the temperate months from April to October, specifically the morning sessions between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Cooler morning temperatures mean the hawks and falcons are highly energetic and responsive; under a master falconer's instruction, you can don a leather gauntlet and experience a raptor swooping from the forest canopy to land on your arm.
Getting ThereThis activity is an exclusive premium program operating within the private gated grounds of The Greenbrier resort. Drivers should take I-64 to Exit 175, head into downtown White Sulphur Springs, and pull straight into the resort's grand main entrance gate. Non-resort guests will need to present their pre-booked falconry confirmation at the security gate to park in the visitor lots and ride the internal shuttle.
Travel Tips
- This professional falconry experience is open to both resort guests and day-visitors. Because group sizes are strictly limited to ensure bird safety, you must book and prepay weeks in advance via the resort's official recreation line.
- Strict clothing restrictions apply to protect guests and birds: dull, durable outdoor long sleeves and pants (olive, brown, camo) are required. Avoid loose straps, feathers, sequins, or neon/fluorescent clothing that could agitate the raptors.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- During live flight and gloved-landing demonstrations, guests must remain completely still within the designated safety zone. Sudden arm movements, running, or pushing large camera lenses near the birds will result in immediate tour cancellation without refund.
Reviews
Positive
- Having a powerful Harris's hawk fly directly down onto your gloved arm and making direct eye contact with raptors is a lifelong memory.
- The master falconers are incredibly knowledgeable, perfectly explaining ancient court falconry arts and raptor behavior with elite mastery.
- The experience takes place on a manicured private woodland meadow framed by mountain views, ensuring a secure and regal flying layout.
- Beyond hawks, you interact with rare owls and falcons, and instructors expertly assist in snapping stellar close-up photos of your experience.
Heads up
- This stands as a premium private custom experience with highly expensive individual fees, making it an elite luxury upgrade for visitors.
- Session capacities are tightly capped to protect bird welfare; without booking weeks early via the concierge, walk-in slots are non-existent.
- The experience is highly weather-dependent; heavy downpours or violent wind gusts trigger immediate safety cancellations, resetting schedules.
- Outside non-resort day guests face cumbersome check-in steps and must settle a high gate vehicle pass fee just to reach the meeting grounds.