Rowe Explore

Crane Tour Experiences

Learn more about our various tour options.

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.  

Guided Crane Experience

Duration: Approximately 3 Hours
Cost: $60 per person, plus taxes and fees

Reservations: Online Reservations open Jan 8, 2026 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:

  • Accessible by a ramp
  • Open air, but have closable windows
  • Warming room that provides a space to get out of the wind and a small heater with supplemental heat

We can provide the following accommodations for individuals with difficulty walking.

  • Access to the closest discovery station (about 1/4 mile)
  • Paved trail
  • Golf Carts, please note that we do not have enough golf carts to transport everyone and so we ask for your patience if multiple trips must be made with the golf cart
  • Viewing windows designed to accommodate people in wheelchairs

10 Years + (All guests must be able to remain still and quiet for up to three hours.)

The following are strongly recommended:

  • The warmest dark coat and clothing you have, including long underwear
  • Warm footwear
  • Wool or synthetic socks (avoid cotton)
  • Very warm gloves or mittens
  • Stocking cap or insulated hat
  • Dress in layers - Dark clothing please
  • Binoculars
  • Dark clothing 
  • Warm drinks & water bottle
  • On this tour type, we allow only cameras with flash disabled. Tripods are not allowed. Cameras in continuous shooting mode are not allowed. (Please see our Guided Crane Photography Experience for a tour that allows tripods and continuous shooting mode)

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 Audubon Center, at 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.

Guided Crane Photography Experience

Duration: Approximately 3 Hours
Cost: $120 per person, plus taxes and fees

Reservations: Online Reservations open Jan 8, 2026 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:

  • Accessible by a ramp
  • Open air, but have closable windows
  • Limited golf cart spots are available on a first-come basis.
  • Use of flash photography is not allowed to minimize disturbance to cranes.
  • Participants may use tripods and continuous shooting mode.
  • Objects (i.e., camera lens) must not extend beyond the window sill of the discovery station.
  • Tablets are not permitted and cell phones must be placed on airplane mode. Camera LCD screens must be dimmed. Auto focus lights should be turned off if possible.
  • Small red flashlights are permitted. No headlamps allowed.
  • Rowe Sanctuary reserves the right to ban use of any device determined to be a nuisance.

The following are strongly recommended:

  • The warmest dark coat and clothing you have, including long underwear
  • Warm footwear
  • Wool or synthetic socks (avoid cotton)
  • Very warm gloves or mittens
  • Stocking cap or insulated hat
  • Dress in layers - Dark clothing please
  • Binoculars
  • Dark clothing
  • Warm drinks & water bottle

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 Audubon Center, at 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.

Overnight Photography Experience

Duration: Approximately 16 hours
Cost: Blind (Capacity of 2 people) - $275, plus taxes and fees

Reservations: Online Reservations open Jan 8, 2026 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.

  • Blinds are 6 ft. H x 8 ft. W x 6 ft. D. and are carpeted. Window heights are designed for sitting.
  • You are responsible for bringing the proper equipment to stay warm overnight. Temperatures in March and April regularly reach below freezing and blinds are not heated.
  • You are required to remain in your overnight blind during the entire duration of the experience until your guide arrives the following morning, with the exception of medical emergencies. If you are not experienced at cold weather camping or do not have adequate gear, you should consider signing up for one of our morning or evening viewing trips instead.
  • Each blind has a bucket toilet.
  • Small red flashlights are provided and non-red lights are not allowed. No headlamps please.
  • No heaters or stoves of any type.
  • No alcoholic beverages or smoking allowed.
  • Failure to cooperate with rules can result in a lifetime ban from this experience.
  • Reservations are limited to 2 adults per blind.

The following are strongly recommended:

  • The warmest dark coat and clothing you have, including long underwear. Dress in layers, and bring extras.
  • Warm footwear
  • Wool or synthetic socks (avoid cotton)
  • Very warm gloves or mittens
  • Stocking cap or insulated hat
  • A sleeping bag per person, suggested rating of 0 degrees.
  • Foam or insulated sleeping pads
  • Pillow
  • Camp Chair
  • Food and water
  • Warm drinks in thermoses or insulated containers

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 Audubon Center, at 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, NE 68840.