Mark your calendars 2020 37th Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival will be March 6,7, and 8th. Registration will open on January 2, 2020.
Go HERE for the last festival schedule, tickets and more information.
A huge THANKYOU to the Platinum & Gold & Silver 2019 sponsors!
To learn about Sandhill Cranes and our 2019 Keynote speakers watch the video above.
What Makes the Monte Vista Crane Festival Unique? 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.
Festival planning is a collaborative effort between The Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services – The San Luis Valley Refuge Complex and The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Monte Vista and is operated as a non-profit under the Friends’ 501(c)(3) non-profit status. A visit to the Monte Vista Crane Festival is an opportunity to see an amazing natural spectacle as well as experience a unique local community.
For more information about the cranes contact the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex Office: 719-589-4021
FAQ:
Where are my tickets? Paper copy(ies) of your ticket(s) are attached to the confirmation email you will receive after purchasing tickets. The attachment looks like 55555555-55555555-tickets.pdf. Please print the tickets and bring them with you. Or you can open the pdf on your phone and we will scan. Or you can save the tickets on your Eventbrite account and we will scan from your phone.
Why is there a charge for the tours? Our most significant expense for the festival is transportation costs. While the local school district supports the festival, we still have to pay fuel costs and bus driver salaries. So if you go on a tour, we ask you to pay a small fee. If you can also donate to support the festival, that would be wonderful. You can donate on our website.
Do I have to do a tour to see the cranes? No, you don’t have to do a tour. You are welcome to drive your self around, all the usual access to the refuge is available this weekend. There are crane viewing guides in the Kiosk at the entrance to the tour loop on the refuge. Come by the Ski Hi Complex festival information booth, and we can give you information. It will be open Friday 10-4: 30 pm, Saturday 8-4:30 and Sunday 9-2. The cranes are usually in the valley between late February through mid-April.
Does my child need a ticket? Children 5 and under do not need a ticket.
Waitlist? Sorry, we don’t do a waitlist. You are welcome to come and stand in the “Standby” line, and if there are cancelations, you might load. Please have appropriate cash. The line forms on a first come, first served basis.
Is there an entrance fee for the Craft/Nature Fair? Entrance to the Craft/Nature fair is free.
Are dogs allowed? No dogs (except qualified service dogs) allowed on the bus tours, theatre events or at the Craft/Nature Fair.
