News & Updates

Celebrate National Refuge Week with a day of family-friendly fun at the 2026 Kids Crane Fest, happening Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.

The Sandhill Cranes will always be the stars of the Monte Vista Crane Festival. But one of the things we love most about this event is everything the cranes lead us to discover.

For 2027, we’re making a few changes designed to make it easier to understand what your ticket includes, choose the experiences that interest you most and build the festival weekend that works for you.

We’re excited to welcome Kristi Dranginis, founder of Bird Mentor, as the keynote speaker for the 44th Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, March 5–7, 2027.

Art has always been at the heart of the Monte Vista Crane Festival. From visual storytelling and hands-on workshops to film and illustration, these sessions invite participants to slow down, observe closely, and engage with cranes and the San Luis Valley in creative ways.

Festival tours are at the heart of the Monte Vista Crane Festival experience. Led by expert guides with deep local knowledge, these outings take you into the landscapes that sustain Sandhill Cranes and countless species of birds and other wildlife.