Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center image

Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center

Tourist attraction β€’ Nature preserve β€’ Tourist information center β€’ Non profit organization β€’ Visitor center

One of the Best Places To Visits in Hall County


Address

9325 Alda Rd S, Wood River, NE 68883, United States

Website

www.cranetrust.org

Contact

+1 308-382-1820

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (456 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: (New Year's Eve), Closed, Holiday hours
  • Monday: (New Year's Day), Closed, Holiday hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: cranes (13) staff (10) stop (10) time (8) crane (8) migration (8) trails (8) tour (7) experience (7) Crane (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Tara R. 1 year ago on Google
    What an excellent VIP tour and experience. The volunteers are so knowledgeable. The time in the blind at sunset and sunrise allows you to see the cranes flying to settle for the night and you watch them wake up and get moving.
    5 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 George B K. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic place to see the Crane Migration! 10,000 cranes , once in a lifetime experience! Thank you to the Crane trust for a fantastic evening ! Did the blind tour Thumbs up ! The volunteers did a great job , full of information and will answer any questions!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Oscar 8 months ago on Google
    This is for nature lovers. Saw different plants i haven't seen before in Nebraska. They have a bison family, with two cubs I believe. The front desk Lady its really friendly. I would go back to explore again. Have a nices small walking trail in the back.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Donna T. 1 year ago on Google
    I could not wait to rate this location! Absolutely the best crane viewing experience ever! The blind is fully enclosed. Plexiglass covers the viewing area until it is time to see the birds. There are small openings that can be opened when the time is right. Fantastic guides. Very knowledgeable staff. Plus, the best cinnamon rolls and hot coffee offered up, for a small fee, after you have experienced the cranes taking off from the river. Tons of info for the taking. Take the map for the self-guided tour. The cranes and snow geese are everywhere in the surrounding fields. It is the best location for learning about the crane migration and for witnessing the birds and their beautiful mating habits and singing. Wish I could give them 10 stars. It is a must-do location IMHO.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Sheila G. 2 years ago on Google
    What an amazing sight, to see all of the Sandhill crane coming in. We were lucky to also see one Whooping crane. The blinds to watch the cranes from were very comfortable. Prices in the gift shop were very affordable. The staff at the Crane Trust were very informative whenever we asked questions. This is definitely a must see.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Kassie K. 4 months ago on Google
    Incredible facility with amazing staff and volunteers running things. The scenic trails and the Buffalo Herd are amazing, I cannot wait to see the crane migration in the spring.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Dao T. 1 year ago on Google
    Great group here. There is a free public viewing stand nearby on the Platte River. During crane season they go all out with a nice snack bar. The cinnamon rolls were delicious.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Big B. 9 months ago on Google
    I have often driven past, this was my first time stopping as I made the drive down 80 to points East. I have 3 homeschooled children and would highly recommend this stop as fun and educational for families homeschooled or not! We refilled water, had a nice clean bathroom stop, made origami cranes, saw an educational film- that makes me likely to add this to Our Epic Road Trip as a Mar/Apr stop to see the migration full swing! We.found treasures in the gift shop and had some lovely conversation with the volunteers/staff. Picked up some coloring sheets and activities for 3 girls to do in the backseat when Nebraska seemed to get to be too "long" for them πŸ˜‰! And the art, photos, taxidermy... just beautiful! Definitely recommend- do plan for a bit of time, they have hiking trails to stretch your legs!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Nick T. 4 years ago on Google
    A must see for our state. Very knowledgeable volunteers at the center. Enjoyed it all, will visit again.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 B E (. 6 months ago on Google
    The people in the front desk are so nice and welcoming ,it’s a Great place to connect with your out door walks. If u Want to disconnect with social media try for your self or your family , kiddos will love it and u will enjoy it . We did β™₯️

  • 5/5 S17Wa G. 1 year ago on Google
    Gorgeous newer building. Amazing photo-art show!!!!πŸ’› Spent way too much in the gift shop on Crain cards!

  • 5/5 Terri D. 11 months ago on Google
    Really nice visitor center. Even had hit dogs and snacks available. Friendly staff. A good stop to learn about cranes a d other native wildlife.

  • 5/5 Dan P. 11 months ago on Google
    An unplanned but serendipitous stop along Interstate 80. We loved the art gallery, interpretive video and trails and footbridges on the Platte River. The Trust even maintains a small bison herd and monarch butterfly sanctuary. Before arriving we saw tens of thousands of sandhill cranes feeding in the cornfields along I-80 (late March), so when we saw the sign to the Crane Trust, we had to stop to check it out. We were warmly welcomed at the door, given a brief but thorough orientation to the setup of the building and then set free to roam the place. We ended up purchasing a large, framed photo for our living room to benefit the Trust before leaving. Wonderful place doing wonderful work!

  • 5/5 Shayla L. 1 year ago on Google
    Visiting here is highly recommended. Every volunteer and member of staff I encountered was so passionate about the work they do I couldn't help but be excited at every turn. The migration of the cranes is an awe inspiring event that everyone should see in person. The VIP experience is a must do! The cabins have everything you could need, the meals were delicious, and the HEATED blinds made the whole event more enjoyable.

  • 5/5 Alex W. 1 year ago on Google
    Super interesting place to see the biodiversity of Nebraska, and learn lots about the fascinating migration of the sandhills crane. Came here on a trip for the Nebraska Passport and wasn't disappointed!

  • 5/5 Neil Van D. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to stop and take a break while traveling I80. Very friendly staff, fun trails and educational exhibits.

  • 5/5 Ely E. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful experience (we took the overnight VIP tour). Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Presentations were highly informative and professional. The event was organized extremely well, with no glitches. Of course, the highlight was actually watching the cranes, which was amazing and worth the long drive and the expense. Overall, the organization is doing very important and good work. Highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Sara Cathinia H. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful visitor center with lots of info about the Sandhill Crane migration, a pollenator garden, and a bison range, with an observation tower and trails for walking.

  • 4/5 Rachel B. 1 year ago on Google
    We made a Nebraska Passport stop here while traveling on the interstate. The staff was friendly and helpful in showing us around the center. My kids enjoyed the interactive kiosk highlighting crane migration and nesting grounds. The staff offered arts and crafts for my kids to do. They made nature journals, homemade binoculars and bird feeders, and bird origami. The local artwork and photography displayed are beautiful and the gift shop was well stocked with many souvenirs. We were not able to walk the trails on this visit, but I want to go back and try them out. My family enjoyed our visit here.

  • 5/5 Colette S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit. Very friendly and informative personal. Craft activities for children and beautiful artwork. Bison roaming in the distance. Walking trails but it was raining lightly while we were there so did not get a chance to injoy that aspect. Very enjoyable experience.

  • 5/5 Jess L. 2 years ago on Google
    Knowledgeable and really friendly staff! They gave us detailed maps of the best sites to see the sandhill cranes- including places anywhere from 1-60 miles away. We had a great time there.

  • 5/5 Lynda W. 2 years ago on Google
    Perched on the northern shore of the Platte River, the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center was the right mix of information, videos about cranes and their migration, and a well stocked gift shop which helps support the Foundations work. Bonus, there was an art show featuring many local artist and photographers. When you love cranes, you can never get enough of them. This place helped feed that need.

  • 5/5 Robin L. 2 years ago on Google
    Worth the stop. Friendly volunteers, excellent gift shop.

  • 5/5 Mark C. 2 years ago on Google
    So happy we chose the Crane Trust as our viewing place for the Sandhill Cranes. Just an absolutely delightful environment and experience! Everyone was so accommodating, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Beautiful grounds and trails. Stunning artwork. We took the evening blind tour. Will never forget it!

  • 5/5 Lily S. 2 years ago on Google
    Did a morning blind tour and it was breathtaking. The cranes are quiet until the sun rises and then suddenly they start singing and dancing! Volunteers were kind and knowledgeable and we had a great time. Make sure you stop in to buy the cinnamon rolls and warm up after going to the blind. I think an evening tour might be more impressive but had a great time!


Call +1 308-382-1820 Open on Google Maps

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Don Carter State Park image
1
Don Carter State Park
State park
Green space with hiking paths, a lake for swimming & boating, plus campsites and cabin rentals.
4.70 (1.4K reviews)
Buford Corn Maze image
2
Buford Corn Maze
Tourist attraction
😐 This place is family friendly and a touch on the smaller side (perfect for small children). We easily spent a good two hours here before leaving. I recommend going early as it fills up by lunch time. I knocked a star because there was a hair in my burger (none of the workers wore hair nets - shudder...
4.10 (1.4K reviews)
Mormon Island State Recreation Area image
3
Mormon Island State Recreation Area
State park
πŸ‘πŸ‘ A favorite camping site. Additional new campsites opened up this year expanding their capacity. Morman Island has something to do for everyone. Hiking trail, camping, a lake swim beach, fishing and playground equipment. The bathrooms are well maintained and clean in the original camping section....
4.40 (1.2K reviews)
Laurel Park image
4
Laurel Park
Park
πŸ‘πŸ‘ This place is INCREDIBLE FOR TODDLER AND CHILDREN! THIS park actually has 3 separate parks in one and one is a SPLASH PAD! CHEERS TO WHOEVER came up with this brilliant idea for children to have a fun safe free place to run around interact and stay cool! Parents can sit along the gated childproof l...
4.60 (801 reviews)
Van Pugh North Park image
5
Van Pugh North Park
Park
Campground & recreation area with shower & laundry facilities plus a boat ramp & tent pads.
4.50 (740 reviews)
Last updated:
()