See Flocks of 4-Foot-Tall Birds at Colorado’s Monte Vista Crane Festival (March 8-10)

Colorado is famous for its wildlife. Walk into any gift shop and you’ll find all kinds of wares depicting black bears, moose, buffalo, bighorn sheep, and other iconic species. 

But there’s a seasonal visitor that fewer are familiar with: sandhill cranes.

Standing up to 4 feet tall, these fascinating birds create massive flocks, numbering in the tens of thousands. They appear throughout much of North America, with various populations breeding in Canada and wintering in parts of Mexico. 

Their long migration routes cut through many states but arguably, few stop-over sites are as scenic as the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. Here, the birds are backdropped by snow-capped peaks and the unique landscape of Great Sand Dunes National Park. 

The Rocky Mountain population of sandhill cranes largely travels from the greater Yellowstone area to the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico. They pause in the San Luis Valley in the spring and fall, with peak migration happening in early March and early October. 

Very soon, their undulating shadows and low, loud calls will draw thousands of human visitors to the 41st annual Monte Vista Crane Festival. 

Where to See Sandhill Cranes During the Monte Vista Crane Festival

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a critical stop-over for sandhill cranes. Its wetlands and grain fields provide food and cover at a time when other habitats are encased in ice and snow. 

The area’s prime conditions draw 18,000-21,000 Greater Sandhill Cranes and 5,000-6,000 Lesser Sandhill Cranes, plus other species of waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. 

You can view these birds from several sites throughout the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Head to these areas based on the time of day and your preferred experience: 

• Pull-outs south of the refuge office, plus County Roads 2E and 7S: In these areas, visitors can see birds feeding from sunrise to mid-morning. Feeding also occurs from late afternoon to sunset. 
• Pull-outs west of Highway 15, plus County Roads 2E, 7S, and 3E: Here, you can watch sandhill cranes loaf from 10 am – 4 pm. 
• Pull-outs on County Road 8S and Highway 15, plus the intersection of County Road 7S and 2E: From these vantage points, watch the flock fly in and out of their roosts during sunrise and sunset. 

For a map visual, see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s pamphlet on sandhill crane viewing. The refuge is open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset and is completely free to visit.

However, you might prefer a guided tour for greater insight — and the opportunity to connect with fellow birders! 

What to Expect at the Monte Vista Crane Festival

The Monte Vista Crane Festival is scheduled to occur on Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 10. It ranks as one of the best Colorado festivals given its stellar wildlife viewing opportunities and engaging programming. 

The agenda kicks off with a 7 a.m. bus tour of the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Other group bus tours, including Spanish language tours, will take place there, as well as at the Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area and Penitente Canyon Recreation Area. 

There are also self-driven tours led by local experts, which occur at Home Lake State Wildlife Area and Trinchera Ranch.

Biologists, historians, and other speakers will also hold lectures at the Ski Hi Complex in town. Keynote presentations include “Water and Waterfowl in Colorado” by avian researcher Casey Setash and “Lessons from Indigenous Lifeways and Our Feathered Relatives” by American Bird Conservancy director Aimee Roberson. 

The Ski Hi Complex will also host talks from artist Jocelyn Catterson, creator of the on-site special exhibit “Making the Invisible Visible.” Plus, the complex will have a daily craft and nature fair which is free to attend. 

Most Monte Vista Crane Festival events are priced individually, ranging from $10 to $70 per. Some events have already sold out so if you’re interested, be sure to book ASAP and consider our recommendations on where to stay nearby.