the sandhill crane crane viewing tips: capital of the
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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
N
S
W E
i
i
Fort KearnyState Rec Area
Hike & Bike Trail
4 Miles toFt. Kearny
U Road
2 Miles to Plautz
29 R
oad
30 R
oad
7
Crane Viewing Sites
SCAN FOR MORE INFO Public Viewing Sites
Gravel Surface
Walking Trails
12345
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
i
i
Fort KearnyState Rec Area
Hike & Bike Trail
4 Miles toFt. Kearny
U Road
2 Miles to Plautz
29 R
oad
30 R
oad
7
2
1
5
3
6
4
7
LEARN MORE ATKEARNEYCRANEWATCH.COM
● Crane Viewing Updates
● Crane Watching Etiquette
● Sandhill Crane Facts
● Self Guided Tours
● Hike & Bike Trail Map
● Local Attractions