March 10-12, 2023

Thank you for joining us for the migration experience of a lifetime. The 40th Festival will be March 10-12, 2023

Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds follow a long route during their seasonal migrations. Along the way, there are many places where you can stop and view these beautiful creatures. So what makes the Monte Vista Crane Festival Unique? We believe it is a combination of unmatched scenery, exceptional wildlife viewing, and the friendly, welcoming communities of the San Luis Valley.

At the Monte Vista Crane Festival you can enjoy thousands of Sandhill Cranes, ducks, and geese flying against a backdrop of mountain scenery. Raptors will adorn the power poles and owls will be sitting with their young. A visit to the Monte Vista Crane Festival is an opportunity to see an amazing natural spectacle as well as experience a unique rural community.

2023 Festival Information coming soon!

Tours, talks and special event information for our 40th Anniversary Festival is on its way! In the meantime, please enjoy the trailer of our film about the magic of cranes in the San Luis Valley—set to premiere at the 2023 Festival!

Crane & Festival Updates

A 40th Anniversary Keynote from ICF

By MVCF admin | November 14, 2022

A 40th Anniversary Keynote from ICF ICF Co-Founder to share Lessons Learned From 50 Years of Crane Conservation Big anniversaries deserve to be celebrated in style. That’s why we are very excited to announce that for our 2023 keynote speaker, we will be hosting a speaker from an organization that is also celebrating a hallmark …

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FALL CRANE UPDATE

By CraneFest Team | August 12, 2022

Fall is approaching, and so are the Sandhill Cranes. The cranes trickle into the valley in family groups. It’s not the large numbers at one time like the spring, but it’s still spectacular. The best time to see the cranes is mid to late September and the first couple of weeks in October. The cranes …

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A Fresh New Look

By MVCF admin | August 8, 2022

A fresh new look The monte vista crane festival celebrates 40 years with a brand new logo! 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Monte Vista Crane Festival. Over the past four decades, we have grown from a small event, largely attended by SLV locals, to a thriving, three-day festival filled with tours, lectures, live …

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Experience the Monte Vista Crane Festival Your Way...

Photo by Dave C Jones

Plan Your Visit

From festival maps to all the details on where to stay and eat while you're in town, we have you covered!

Photo by Ed MacKerrow

Learn More About Cranes in the SLV

We have the answers to all (or most) of your crane questions! Or at least we try. Find all your crane information here.

Become a Sponsor

Are you a local business interested in supporting the Monte Vista Crane Festival? Learn more about the different types of sponsorship opportunities available.