Spring Magic in Nebraska
Trip Highlights
Witness one of the world’s most awe-inspiring wildlife spectacles—hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes gathered along the Platte River during spring migration.
Step inside an intimate viewing blind to observe cranes dancing, calling, and flying at sunrise and sunset.
Search for prairie icons including greater prairie-chickens, bald eagles, ferruginous hawks, and more with expert guides leading the way.
Learn about the importance of grassland conservation through a deep dive into the lives of prairie birds and the women working to protect them.
Explore a scenic and rarely visited stretch of Nebraska’s Great Plains during a season of renewal and transformation.
Locations:
Denver, Colorado; Ogallala, North Platte, and McCook, Nebraska
Dates:
March 13-16, 2026
Limit:
5 – 7
Trip Details
Join Her Wild Life Expeditions for a springtime journey through Nebraska’s magical prairie landscapes, timed to one of nature’s most extraordinary migrations.
Each March, more than half a million sandhill cranes gather along Nebraska’s Platte River to rest and refuel on their way north. Jane Goodall has called it “without a doubt one of the most spectacular events in the natural world.” The sight—and sound—of this ancient migration is truly unforgettable, and you’ll have front-row seats.
Beyond the cranes, we’ll search for other iconic grassland species, from greater prairie-chickens performing their booming dawn displays to singing meadowlarks, all under the guidance of expert naturalist Carly Crow. Along the way, we’ll explore the essential role grassland ecosystems play and the vital conservation work underway to protect them.
This is a trip designed to slow down and tune in—to nature, to place, and to the joy of spring’s return. With cozy accommodations, small-group camaraderie, and expertly guided experiences, Spring Magic in Nebraska is your chance to witness one of the world’s great wildlife events—and support conservation efforts that make a difference.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – From Denver to the Plains
Our journey begins in Denver, where we’ll hit the road and travel northeast across the plains to Ogallala, Nebraska. Along the way, we’ll get to know one another and begin to watch the landscape shift as we head into the heart of crane country. Our day ends with our first crane fly-in.
Accommodations: Hampton Inn in Ogallala
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Sandhill Crane Spectacle
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express in North Platte
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Prairie Birds and Conservation Stories
Accommodations: Cobblestone Inn in McCook
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Prairie-Chicken Lek and Return to Denver
It’s an early start, but for good reason: Today we experience the greater prairie-chicken lek, a dawn ritual of booming, dancing, and strutting by males competing for mates. It’s a breathtaking glimpse into the wild heart of the prairie. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before making our way back to Denver, hearts full of all we’ve experienced.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your Guide
Carly Crow
Meet Carly Crow, your naturalist guide with a passion for wildlife and a deep desire to share the wonders of nature with others. Originally from Georgia and now based in Denver, Colorado, she holds a Bachelor of Science in ecology and a master’s in biology, with a focus on ecology and evolution. Her time as a field ornithologist has taken her around the world—including to the wilds of Costa Rica—and now she’s bringing that experience to you as a Her Wild Life Expeditions guide. Though she’s often asked about her favorite bird or mammal, Carly believes that’s a forbidden question—like asking a parent to pick a favorite child! When she’s not guiding or chasing birds, you can find her drawing, hiking in the Rockies, or curled up with a book. If she won the lottery, she’d buy some land to keep chickens and bees and run a roadside stand selling eggs and honey.
What to Expect
Every Her Wild Life expedition is designed to offer full, active days for women traveling together seeking authentic, immersive wildlife experiences. This often means being active when wildlife is most active. The trips are carefully planned to put you in the right place at the right time, while acknowledging that unforgettable wildlife encounters require both a bit of luck and the expertise of your guide team.
This Nebraska expedition involves:
- Full, enriching days in the field, centered around two core wildlife viewing opportunities: the sandhill crane migration and the greater prairie-chicken lek.
- Early mornings, especially on the day we visit the lek, to catch birds at their most active.
- Daily birding walks and roadside stops, with most activities involving light walking or standing for periods of time, including walks of up to a mile and birding session lasting 30 minutes to an hour.
- Variable March weather, which may include wind, cold winter conditions, or mild spring sunshine.
- Quiet, respectful time in unheated bird blinds, with sessions typically lasting two hours and designed to minimize disturbance to wildlife.
- The ability to climb in and out of a lifted 4WD passenger van using a provided stool.
Accommodations
- 1 night at Hampton Inn in Ogallala
- 1 night at Holiday Inn Express in North Platte
- 1 night at Cobblestone Inn in McCook
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation from Denver in the Roaming Bison custom safari van
- 3 nights of lodging as listed (single occupancy included)
- All meals from lunch on March 13 through lunch on March 16
- Activities and entrance fees as listed
- Expert naturalist guide Carly Crow
- Daily birding walks and wildlife viewing sessions
- Field snacks and water
- Gratuities for your guides and at restaurants for included meals
- Conservation donation to Southern Plains Land Trust
What's Not Included
- Airfare or other transportation to/from Denver
- Travel insurance (quotes available)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities not listed
- Pre- or post-trip hotels
- Room upgrades
- Gratuities for hotel staff
- Personal expenses
Cost
$2235 per person based on private, single-occupancy accommodations. If you are traveling with someone and prefer to share a room, a double occupancy rate is available.
Conservation Impact
Southern Plains Land Trust is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to protecting and rewilding the Southern Plains through the creation of a network of prairie refuges. Since its founding, the organization has permanently protected more than 60,000 acres of shortgrass prairie, providing critical habitat for native plants and animals. A conservation donation to support the Southern Plains Land Trust’s efforts will be made on behalf of all trip participants.