Crane Viewing Tips:For your safety & safety of the birds.

● Do not stop on major paved roadways.

● Do not attempt to approach the birds.

● It is illegal to harass cranes and other birds in any matter.

● Use your vehicle as a “blind” and stay in your car during day watching.

● Most land on the Platte River is private property. Please respect the land owners and do not trespass.

● Do not stop abruptly if you see cranes.

● Allow farm machinery and local traffic to pass by pulling over.

● Be prepared for cold temperatures, warm coats, hats, boots & gloves are recommended.

● Wear dark clothes to avoid startling the cranes.

● Sunrise & sunset are prime viewing times on the river. During the day, the cranes are in the fields eating.

Experience the great migration! For eight weeks from late February to early April, the fascinating Sandhill Crane Spring Migration happens in the heart of Nebraska. More than 80 percent of the world’s Sandhill Crane population converge on Nebraska’s Platte River. The Sandhill Cranes fly from southern wintering grounds to northern breeding grounds in Canada, Alaska & Siberia. They stop along the Platte to rest & gain body fat as they prepare for their journey north. Crane fossils dating back nine million years have been discovered in Nebraska.

Other wildlife such as Whooping Cranes, eagles, ducks, geese & shorebirds also migrate through Central Nebraska during this time. It is an enchanting experience. One that can only be truly appreciated in person.

Don’t Forget To Pack:

2021 CRANE WATCH GUIDE

KEARNEYCRANEWATCH.COM

EARNEYvisitors bureau

EARNEYvisitors bureauN E B R A S K A

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers.

BINOCULARS CAMERA WARM CLOTHING

Photo Credit: Don Brockmeier

Photo Credit: Patty Geist

Photo Credit: Mike Fernandez / Audubon

The Sandhill Crane Capital of the World

KEARNEY - NEBRASKA

1,800 HOTEL

ROOMS

125+ EATERIES

& BARS

9 CULTURAL MUSEUMS

20+ MILES OF HIKE & BIKE TRAIL

Take FlightOffering daily nonstop jet service from Kearney to

Denver (DIA) & Chicago (ORD)

Flights operated by SkyWest Airlines.

Book today at united.com

Kearney NebraskaLocated on I-80 just minutes from the Platte River.

Cultural attractions, amazing restaurants & welcoming hospitality, Cranes love Kearney & so will you!

For more information about Kearney visit:

VISITKEARNEY.ORG

Visitor Information

KEARNEY VISITORS BUREAU1007 2nd Avenue 308-237-3178

NEBRASKA VISITORS CENTER3060 E 1st Street (inside Archway)

FORT KEARNY STATE HISTORICAL PARK & VISITOR CENTER

1020 V Road (Hwy 50A) Kearney, NE

outdoornebraska.gov/fortkearny 308-865-5305Visitor Center & Museum. State Park Permit required.

FORT KEARNY STATE RECREATION AREA HIKE/BIKE BRIDGE

2196 30 Road, Kearney, NE

Public viewing site good for sunrise & sunset viewing. 1/4 mile East of Fort Kearny Historical Park. 300 yard

walk from the parking area. State Park Permit required.

AUDUBON’S ROADSIDE VIEWING SITE

Roadside site for day viewing. 2.5 Miles W of Rowe Sanctuary.

CPNRD ROADSIDE VIEWING SITE

Roadside site for day viewing. 2 Miles W of Rowe Sanctuary.

AUDUBON’S ROWE SANCTUARY VISITORS CENTER

44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE

rowe.audubon.org 308-468-5282Contact for guided tours & visitor center hours.

Live Crane Cam available on their website.

CPNRD PLAUTZ VIEWING PLATFORM

2 miles south of 1-80 Exit 285

Public viewing Site. AM/PM viewing. Free Parking.

WINDMILL STATE RECREATION AREA

2625 Lowell Road, Gibbon, NE

Day viewing Site. State Park Permit required.

Public Viewing Sites

Gravel Surface

Walking Trails

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Fort Kearny State Historical Park Visitors Center

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

Audubon’s Roadside Viewing Site

CPNRD Roadside Viewing Site

Audubon Rowe Sanctuary Visitors Center

CPNRD Plautz Viewing Site6Watch for Wildlife Viewing Signage

KearneyVisitorsBureau

Fort Kearny Hike/Bike Trail Bridge

Windmill State

Rec Area

Kilgore Road

Elm Island Road

Low

ell R

oad

V Road

8080

(inside Archway)

30

10

Nebraska StateVisitors Center

10

44

GIBBONKEARNEY

TO MINDEN

Rowe Sanctuary

EXIT279

EXIT275

EXIT272

EXIT285

Fort KearnyState Historical Park

& Visitor Center1

2

3

45

6

Elm Island Rd

Platte River Platte River South Channel

Platte River North Channel

HWY 50A

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Fort KearnyState Rec Area

Hike & Bike Trail

4 Miles toFt. Kearny

U Road

2 Miles to Plautz

29 R

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30 R

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Crane Viewing Sites

SCAN FOR MORE INFO Public Viewing Sites

Gravel Surface

Walking Trails

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Fort Kearny State Historical Park Visitors Center

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

Audubon’s Roadside Viewing Site

CPNRD Roadside Viewing Site

Audubon Rowe Sanctuary Visitors Center

CPNRD Plautz Viewing Site6Watch for Wildlife Viewing Signage

KearneyVisitorsBureau

Fort Kearny Hike/Bike Trail Bridge

Windmill State

Rec Area

Kilgore Road

Elm Island Road

Low

ell R

oad

V Road

8080

(inside Archway)

30

10

Nebraska StateVisitors Center

10

44

GIBBONKEARNEY

TO MINDEN

Rowe Sanctuary

EXIT279

EXIT275

EXIT272

EXIT285

Fort KearnyState Historical Park

& Visitor Center1

2

3

45

6

Elm Island Rd

Platte River Platte River South Channel

Platte River North Channel

HWY 50A

N

S

W E

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Fort KearnyState Rec Area

Hike & Bike Trail

4 Miles toFt. Kearny

U Road

2 Miles to Plautz

29 R

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30 R

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7

2

1

5

3

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LEARN MORE ATKEARNEYCRANEWATCH.COM

● Crane Viewing Updates

● Crane Watching Etiquette

● Sandhill Crane Facts

● Self Guided Tours

● Hike & Bike Trail Map

● Local Attractions