• CRANE MIGRATION
  • The Great Gathering Place
  • The Central Flyway
  • Nebraska's Platte River
  • What Others Say
  • Crane Events
• CRANE VIEWING
  • Viewing Areas
    • Self Tours
    • Guided Tours
    • Book A Blind
  • Viewing Etiquette
  • What to Expect
• Crane Facts
  • Vital Statistics
  • Photo Gallery
• Rainwater Basin
  • What's a Rainwater Basin?
  • Birds of the Basin
  • Rainwater Basin Viewing Areas
• Other Wildlife
  • Prairie Chickens
  • Bald Eagle
  • Prairie Dog
  • Other Birds
  • Other Wildlife
  • Wildlife Calendar
  • Bird Checklist
• Visitor Info
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  • Crane Events
  • While You're Here
• Contact
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• Media
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CPNRD Public Viewing Decks
The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) has led a task force to provide a series of free crane/waterfowl viewing decks. The decks provide a safe and bird-friendly way to view cranes throughout the day. Parking is available at each deck.

There are two locations on the Platte River. Best viewing times begin one hour before sunrise and one hour before sunset.

• Richard Plautz Crane Viewing Site: 1.5 miles south of I-80 Exit 285 (Gibbon)
• Alda Crane Viewing Site: 2 miles south of I-80 Exit 305 (Alda)

There are three additional roadside turnouts to enjoy safe daytime viewing. These are located south and east of the Alda I-80 interchanges on Platte River Drive—and west of the Rowe Sanctuary office on Elm Island Road.

For a map of these and other viewing locations, including the Rowe Sanctuary and The Nebraska Nature Center, click here (.pdf). Or click here to visit our map page, which inclues an interactive map.
 

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area
Hike-Bike Bridge Offering the best over-river viewing of cranes, the Fort Kearny Hike-Bike bridge is wheelchair accessible and just 1/3 mile from the parking lot. Best viewing times are one hour before sunrise and one hour before sunset.

Fort Kearny State Historical Park blends the history of the Platte River valley with its natural history, including reconstructed fort buildings, a museum and visitor center. An annual state park entry permit or daily pass is required and is available at the visitor center or by visiting www.outdoornebraska.org.
 

When viewing birds, please observe proper viewing etiquette.