Rowe

Plan Your Visit to Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary

Come visit us along the Platte River.
Parking and Directions
About Us
Contact Us
Explore the Center
Our Local Birds
Get Involved
Parking and Directions

Rowe Sanctuary, located 20 minutes from Kearney, Nebraska, and just four miles off Interstate 80, lies at the heart of a critical staging area for hundreds of thousands of migrating Sandhill Cranes each Spring.  Each year, visitors come from all over the globe to witness North America’s great migration.  

Year-round, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center welcomes visitors to explore its exhibits, gift shop, programs, and trails!  The center is a gateway to the Platte River ecosystem and the surrounding grassland habitat.  

Visitor center at dusk
Hours
Your Guide to Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
What to Know Before You Go 
Bald Eagle perched on a tree branch.

  • Admission to the building and trails is free.   

  • On-site crane tours and programs are available seasonally.

  • Visitor Center hours are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Tuesday-Saturday*.   

  • Trails are open dawn-dusk*. 

  • Pets on a leash are allowed in the parking lot and in a designated pet exercise area.  No pets are allowed on the trails. 

  • No drones are allowed. 

  • Outdoor picnic tables are available. 

*Hours vary during crane season; check with the visitor center staff for updates. Wildlife comes first; trails may be closed due to crane activity at Staff discretion.

Upcoming Events
View All Events
Wildflower Walk
Jul
15
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildflower Walk
Gibbon, NE
Evening wildflower walk
Education & Workshops In-Person
Habitat Stewards Event - Nature Field Day
Jul
18
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Habitat Stewards Event - Nature Field Day
Gibbon, NE
Exploring the Platte River ecosystem
Conservation & Habitat Restoration In-Person
Wildlife Wednesday Storytime - July 22, 2026
Jul
22
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildlife Wednesday Storytime - July 22, 2026
Gibbon, NE
Pre-K storytime
Family & Kids In-Person
The Art of Noticing: A Mindful Bird Walk
Jul
25
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
The Art of Noticing: A Mindful Bird Walk
Gibbon, NE
Mindful Bird Walk
Birding & Community Science In-Person
Prairie Lights and Night Sights: Family Fun at Rowe
Jul
25
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Prairie Lights and Night Sights: Family Fun at Rowe
Gibbon, NE
Prairie at night
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Wildcrafting Prairie Medicines: Yarrow, Bee Balm, & Goldenrod
Jul
30
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildcrafting Prairie Medicines: Yarrow, Bee Balm, & Goldenrod
Gibbon, NE
Wildcrafting Prairie Medicines: Yarrow, Bee Balm, & Goldenrod
Education & Workshops In-Person
Golden Hour Grasses: Nature Photography Workshop
Aug
5
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Golden Hour Grasses: Nature Photography Workshop
Gibbon, NE
Nature Photography Workshop
Education & Workshops In-Person
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary at a Glance
Bathrooms
Nature store
Wheelchair accessible
Wildlife observation deck
Hiking trails
Binoculars to borrow
Exhibits
Group meeting space
Parking lot
Picnic area
Pollinator garden
Venue rental