Registration for Crane Season 2027 will open Jan 7, 2027, at 9 am Central
During the migration, Rowe Sanctuary offers daily guided tours at sunrise and sunset to view the spectacular concentrations of Sandhill Cranes on their river roosts from discovery stations (viewing blinds) strategically placed along the Platte River close to Sandhill Crane roosts. Nature enthusiasts, bird lovers, and photographers will have multiple ways to experience this historic migration.
Dates offered: March 3 - April 6, 2027
Duration: Approximately 3 Hours
Cost: $60 per person, plus taxes and fees
Reservations: Online Reservations open Jan 7, 2027 at 9 am CST.
Rowe Sanctuary offers guided tours twice daily to view the spectacular concentrations of Sandhill Cranes on their overnight river roosts. We offer morning tours to view cranes leaving the river at sunrise or evening tours to view cranes returning to the river at sunset.
Crane viewing takes place at our Discovery Stations, which are designed to minimize human disturbance of the Sandhill Cranes while offering the best possible viewing for visitors. They are located ¼ to ½ mile walk from our Visitor’s Center. Each Discovery Station has a warming room attached and a port-a-potty is available nearby.
Because the tour involves wildlife, each experience is different. Discovery Stations are located close to historical crane roosts; however, we cannot control the bird’s behavior. The viewing distance to the cranes will vary each day and night depending on where birds decide to roost. Viewing from the Discovery Station is the best possible chance to see this phenomenon up close! Regardless of roosting selection, 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.
All Discovery Stations have the following accommodations:
We can provide the following accommodations for individuals with difficulty walking.
10 Years + (All guests must be able to remain still and quiet for up to three hours.)
The following are strongly recommended:
Please be aware that ALL of our current programming is subject to change. All tours will be cancelled and refunds given when the National Weather Service issues a hazardous Weather Warning. Cancellations are refundable until two weeks prior to the experience start date. Refunds are subject to a 5% cancellation fee.
All tours begin at the Iain Nicolson 91°µÍø Center, at 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.
Dates offered: March 11, 2027 – April 4, 2027
Duration: Approximately 3 Hours
Cost: $120 per person, plus taxes and fees
Reservations: Online Reservations open Jan 7, 2027 at 9 am CST.
Rowe Sanctuary offers guided photography tours twice daily to view the spectacular concentrations of Sandhill Cranes on their overnight river roosts. We offer morning photography tours to view cranes leaving the river at sunrise or evening photography tours to view cranes returning to the river at sunset.
Crane viewing takes place at our Discovery Station, which is designed to minimize human disturbance of the Sandhill Cranes while offering the best possible viewing for visitors. It is located ½ mile walk from our Visitor’s Center. Guests should be able to walk a half mile, carrying their own gear. Each Discovery Station has a warming room attached and a port-a-potty is available nearby.
Because the tour involves wildlife, each experience is different. Discovery Stations are located close to historical crane roosts; however, we cannot control the bird’s behavior. The viewing distance to the cranes will vary each day and night depending on where birds decide to roost. Viewing from the Discovery Station is the best possible chance to see this phenomenon up close! Regardless of roosting selection, 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.
ll Discovery Stations have the following accommodations:
The following are strongly recommended:
Please be aware that ALL of our current programming is subject to change. All tours will be cancelled and refunds given when the National Weather Service issues a hazardous Weather Warning.
Cancellations are refundable until two weeks prior to experience start date. Refunds are subject to a 5% cancellation fee.
All tours begin at the Iain Nicolson 91°µÍø Center, at 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.
Dates offered: March 11, 2027 – April 4, 2027
Duration: Approximately 16 hours
Cost: Blind (Capacity of 2 people) - $275, plus taxes and fees
Reservations: Online Reservations open Jan 7, 2027 at 9 am CST.
The Overnight Crane Photography Experience provides guests with the opportunity to spend the night in a viewing blind on the banks of the Platte River and photograph thousands of cranes as they fly into the river at dusk, and lift off at dawn.
Photographers and their gear will be transported to the blinds. Because of the close proximity of the cranes, guests must stay in the blind until a staff person or volunteer comes to get you the following morning. We place a high priority on minimizing disturbance to the cranes.
Because the tour involves wildlife, each experience is different. Rowe Sanctuary’s overnight blinds are strategically placed along the Platte River to provide excellent views of the Sandhill Cranes while they roost on the river, however, we cannot control the bird’s behavior. The viewing distance to the cranes will vary each day and night depending on where birds decide to roost. Viewing from the blind is the best possible chance to see this phenomenon up close! Regardless of roosting selection, 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.
The following are strongly recommended:
Please be aware that ALL of our current programming is subject to change.
All tours will be cancelled and refunds given when the National Weather Service issues a hazardous Weather Warning.
Cancellations are refundable until two weeks prior to experience start date. Refunds are subject to a 5% cancellation fee.
All tours begin at the Iain Nicolson 91°µÍø Center, at 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.
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