Plan Your Visit to Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary

Come visit us along the Platte River.

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
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
Native Landscape Design Workshop
Aug
15
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Native Landscape Design Workshop
Kearney, NE
Native Landscape Design Workshop
Wildlife Wednesday Storytime and Hike at Rowe
Aug
19
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildlife Wednesday Storytime and Hike at Rowe
Gibbon, NE
Storytime and Hike
Wildflower Walk
Aug
19
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildflower Walk
Gibbon, NE
Wildflower Walk
Habitat Steward Summer Series: Oldfather Prairie Restoration
Aug
22
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Habitat Steward Summer Series: Oldfather Prairie Restoration
Kearney, NE
Oldfather restoration
Pickin' on the Platte
Aug
22
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Pickin' on the Platte
Gibbon, NE
Bluegrass Concert on the Platte
Let's Go Birding Together
Aug
29
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Let's Go Birding Together
Gibbon, NE
All-inclusive bird outing
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary at a Glance
Bathrooms
Nature store
Wheelchair accessible
Wildlife observation deck
Hiking trails
Binoculars to borrow or rent
Exhibits
Group meeting space
Parking lot
Picnic area
Pollinator garden
Venue rental