Announcing 2027 Crane Season Dates

Each year, visitors from all over the world make plans to visit Central Nebraska for the magnificent Sandhill Crane migration.  Rowe Sanctuary is pleased to once again provide one of the best options for guided crane experiences along the Platte River next Spring.   

2027 Crane Viewing Dates 

In 2027, Rowe Sanctuary will be offering crane viewing on the following dates:  

• Guided Crane Experience: March 3 – April 6, 2027 

• Indoor Crane Viewing: Select dates between March 3 – April 6, 2027 (evening only) 

• Guided Crane Photography Experiences: March 11, 2027 – April 4, 2027  

• Overnight Photography Experiences: March 11, 2027 – April 4, 2027 

These offerings provide a chance to view cranes as they settle in to roost on the river (evenings) or as they rouse themselves and lift off for the day (mornings) during their migration stopover in Nebraska.  Crane viewing experiences allow visitors the best possible chance to see cranes up close during on their roosts.  More details about each option can be found here.   

Programs & Events 

Program offerings and dates will be announced in early December 2026. Rowe Sanctuary will once again offer a wide variety of educational opportunities for visitors to supplement their visit. Programs will include daily classes on crane behavior and other topics.  The Speaker Series will return once more to showcase lecturers from a variety of organizations and conservation-related initiatives.  Additional classes, workshops, and events will be offered for families as well as adults.   

Why add a class to your visit?  

A crane viewing experience is not a traditional zoo/museum ‘tour’, and crane viewing guides are not always able provide information about cranes during these experiences. This is because crane viewing requires participants and guides to remain silent for much of the experience. (Silence reduces disturbance to the cranes and increases visitors’ chances for high-quality viewing.) The primary goal of a crane viewing experience is just that: to view the cranes! For this reason, we encourage visitors to include classes, lectures, or other programs in your itinerary to provide additional information about the cranes, their behaviors, habits, and life cycle.   

Registration opens in January 

Registration for all offerings (crane viewing experiences and programs) will open on January 7, 2027 at 9 am CST.  Reservations can be made online or by phone at (308) 468-5282 at that time.