See the Annual Sandhill Crane Migration Through Nebraska

If you haven’t seen the annual Sandhill Crane migration across Central Nebraska, it’s really something to see! We’re at the tail end of it so there aren’t as many birds as there were a few weeks ago but it’s still worth witnessing.

Each year, 80% of the world’s crane population (about 500,000 cranes!) migrates through an 80-mile stretch of the Platte River. I just found out that they are one of the planet’s oldest living birds, they’ve been around for 34 million years! They come from wintering in Southern states like Texas and Arizona and pass through on their way to their arctic nesting grounds.

Their sound is so unique and watching them land is really cool – they have really long legs for their body and long wings so as they arch their wings and stick out their legs to come in for a landing, it amazes me every time. It’s also a little comical!

During the night, they roost on the river. During the day, they feed on the leftover corn in the fields all along the river and interstate. If you’re able to be there at sunrise or sunset, you’re in for a treat as they all congregate on the river. Their cooing is deafening. I didn’t make it out for either sunrise or sunset this year but have enjoyed them during the day immensely.

Just a note, if you want to get great pictures, be aware of your angle and the background. For some reason, they tend to hang out near anything unsightly in a field, haha! Most of my pictures have irrigation pumps in the background. You take what you can get!

Where Can You Go to Watch the Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska?

Drive on I-80 and anywhere from the Alda exit through the Kearney exit, go North or South. If you take the Alda exit and go South about ¼-½ mile, you will see the viewing bridge on the right. You can park there and get out and walk on a platform over the river. You can also continue to drive South and see them all over the fields.

A word of caution – don’t stop in the middle of the gravel roads. They may appear deserted, but they have normal speed limits and people can come up on you really fast. It’s dangerous to stop in the middle of the road, just pull off to the side and anyone approaching will go around you.

I lived in Kearney, so my favorite place is the Fort Kearny hike & bike trail. Park inside the park – you’ll need a state permit. The trail is on the East side. You can walk over the old railroad bridge and see them on the river. They’re also all over the cornfields leading into the park. It’s a beautiful trail, about 3-4 miles roundtrip if you walk to the other end by the interstate.

The Rowe Sanctuary does guided tours and has a ton of information about the sandhill cranes so you should definitely go there and check them out. You do have to register for a tour in advance and they book up fast so plan ahead!

Where Can You Stay to Watch the Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska?

This is a totally doable day trip from wherever you live in Nebraska if you just want to drive out and back for the day. If you’re up for camping, the Fort Kearny State Park is a great option. For hotels, Grand Island has some options but Kearney has dozens of newer hotels right by the interstate and would be really easy and convenient.

Where Should I Eat in Central Nebraska?

It’s fun to pack a cooler and just have a picnic. It saves money, keeps you from having to go in anywhere and, as a society, we just don’t pack our food anymore. So, while we’re embracing this new normal, why not do something new and pack a picnic?

However, if that’s not an option or not your thing, there’s a great restaurant in Juniata, just south of Alda, called The Plainsman. They have a prime rib buffet on Friday and Saturday nights that is amazing! Grand Island has a ton of restaurants, as does Kearney.

Cunningham’s on the Lake in Kearney is a fun atmosphere, they have dozens of beers on tap and their food is delicious! They’re also right by the interstate. If you’re in Kearney for breakfast, you have to try Good Evans - they put a unique spin on food and we’ve loved everything we’ve eaten there.

Here’s a map with the noted locations to make it easier to find them!

The Perfect Daytrip/Staycation!

In case you haven’t noticed from this blog, I love going for drives. If you can’t go on an actual vacation, you can still load up the car with a cooler, snacks, your favorite people and hit the road. If you need any tips for taking better pictures, helpful equipment, or editing your pics, you can download my free guide here. If you’re looking for another fun road trip not too far away, check out Rock City, Kansas!

If you want to take your travel and wildlife pics - or all pics, really - up a notch, don’t forget to grab my FREE 9 Tips for Better Travel Pics cheat sheet for tips and tricks you can implement immediately to take pics you love!