Sandhills in Action
Three must-see crane hot spots along Nebraska’s Platte River.
1Start your day bright and early (30 minutes before sunrise) at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. Bridges over the Platte River offer one-of-a-kind views of sandhill cranes. You’ll need a permit, so nab one at outdoornebraska.gov or the visitor center.
2Next, head east to Rowe Sanctuary for a two-hour sandhill crane tour. An experienced guide leads you through a trail of viewing blinds for optimal looks at roosting cranes. The tours run March 2-April 8 and cost $35 per person.
Make time for the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center in Wood River, Nebraska, where more than 200,000 sandhills have been spotted in one day. Go to cranetrust.org for info on day and evening tours. Plus, learn how you can spend the night in a viewing blind.