Nebraska Crane Season

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. 

Rowe Sanctuary offers daily guided tours at sunrise and sunset to view the spectacular concentrations of Sandhill Cranes on their river roosts from new “discovery stations” strategically placed along the Platte River close to Sandhill Crane roosts. Multiple viewing opportunities are available for nature enthusiasts, bird lovers, and photographers to witness this historic migration.  Other programs and activities for the whole family will also be offered at Rowe throughout the crane migration.

Rowe Sanctuary will begin accepting reservations for its 2023 crane viewing opportunities on Wednesday, January 4 at 9:00 am CST. Reservations may be made online at our website, rowe.audubon.org/crane-viewing, or by calling 308-468-5282.

Guided Crane Viewing Experience:  
March 4 – April 8  
$50 + taxes and fees  
(Phone lines limited. Reserve online for best results.)

Guided Crane Photography Experience:   
$100 + taxes and fees  
March 17 – April 8 

 Overnight Photography Experience:   
March 17 – April 7 
$250 + taxes and fees  
(Overnight tours fill fast. Reserve online for best results.)

Virtual Crane Viewing Tours $10+ taxes and fees  
March 13, 20, 27 at 6:30 pm 

Crane Behavior Basics March 4 – April 8 at 2:30 pm  
$10 per person