The next opportunity to attend our guided tours will be from March 4 through April 12, 2025. Tour reservations open online on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 9:00 am CST.
 

Spring Migration 

Every March, over a million Sandhill Cranes converge on the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska to fuel up before continuing north to their nesting grounds. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary is at the heart of this magnificent crane staging area. Sandhill Cranes typically begin arriving around Valentine’s Day and leave around Tax Day.

Our top priority is keeping the cranes and the crane watchers safe. We encourage you to use the information we have given you to plan ahead and we encourage you enjoy the journey and embrace whatever viewing spectacle occurs during your trip. 

Travel and Airport choices  

Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island and Kearney.  Check with your booking agent. Kearney airport provides daily non-stop flights to Denver, and rental car are available .  

Do I need reservations to see the Sandhill Canes? 

Our guided tours to our Discovery Stations (viewing blinds) require registration. Discovery Stations are located close to historical crane roosts.  Viewing from the Discovery Station is the best possible chance to see cranes up close! Roosting sites will vary, but cranes will be flying overhead and our tours consistently provide a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of the world’s largest gathering of cranes. Because the tour involves wildlife, each experience is different. 

Reservations are not required for our Visitor's Center, and many visitors will see cranes flying overhead or roosting in cornfield during the day.  Rowe has two roadside viewing lots. Additional information about public viewing locations can be found here. 

Where to stay 

Rowe Sanctuary is approximately 20 miles east of Kearney via Interstate 80. Kearney has a good selection of hotels/motels to choose from. The Kearney Visitors Bureau has additional listings for lodging and restaurants. Kearney can be a very busy community during March, so reserve your lodging as soon as possible. Grand Island, Hastings, and Minden are also nearby. 

What to bring 

Temperatures in March and April regularly reach below freezing. Pack clothing that can be layered and removed when temperatures rise. We encourage dark colored outer wear for the tours. Cameras, binoculars, and other photography aids are encouraged.  For more on what to bring, see our Guided Crane Viewing Experience page. 

What else can I see and do while I'm there? 

Rowe has several miles of hiking trails to explore our prairies, meadows, and riparian woodlands.  For more information, including open hour, please see this page.

Kearney Visitor's Bureau provides excellent information to visitors to the Kearney area!

Additional info 

We provide multiple viewing opportunities for nature enthusiasts, bird lovers, and photographers to witness this historic migration.   

For all things Crane, we recommend https://nebraskaflyway.com/ This website provides valuable regional info including information about other organizations, outfitters, and public viewing locations all in one spot. 

Enjoy the cranes from the comfort and warmth of your own home with the interactive virtual crane tour or on our FREE Crane Cam!

We recommend checking the Kearney Visitor's Bureau website when planning your trip. They have suggested itineraries – no matter your traveling style – as well as up to date information on important travel info like lodging, where to eat, and other things to do between your crane watching activities.