Welcome!
Save the date for the 2026 Great Midwest Crane Fest – Celebrating Community and Conservation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, on Nov. 14 and 15, as thousands of Sandhill Cranes gather near the Wisconsin River before flying south for the winter.
What should I expect during the festival?
- Presentations and workshops
- Guided crane-viewing tours
- Wisconsin’s largest crane congregation
- And more!
You’ll also explore the beautiful landscapes and rich histories that connect the festival hosts, the International Crane Foundation and the Aldo Leopold Foundation.
Photo: Sandhill Cranes in flight over the Wisconsin River by Ted Thousand
Get your limited-edition 2025 merchandise featuring Alex Tomlinson’s Sandhill and Whooping Crane illustration here.
What Is Included in My Registration?
Festival registration includes entrance to the Aldo Leopold Foundation and International Crane Foundation, as well as events at each site, including presentations and tours of the Crane Discovery Center and Leopold Shack.
Additional registration is required for add-on events, including crane viewing tours and workshops.
Aldo Leopold Foundation
The following events are examples of what is included in general admission registration. Please note that capacity may be limited for select events.
- Lectures
- Art displays
- Guided Nature Hikes
- Guided Leopold Shack Tours
- Guided Green Building Tours
- Access to the Aldo Leopold Foundation Center Exhibits and Gift Shop
International Crane Foundation
The following events are examples of what is included in your general admission registration. Please note that capacity may be limited for select events.
- Lectures
- Art displays
- Guided tours
- Guided Prairie Walks
- Access to on-site nature trails
- Access to the newly renovated Migration Center Exhibit
- Access to Crane Discovery Center exhibits and George Archibald Welcome Center and Gift Shop
When Viewing Cranes in the Wild
- Give cranes space and appreciate them from afar. Remain in your vehicle and get no closer than 100 yards.
- Please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you. If the cranes you are viewing change their behavior, such as going from feeding and relaxing to alert, walking away, or flying away, you are too close to them.
- Finally, do not trespass on private, state or federal property in an attempt to view or photograph cranes – thank you!
Look for these signs between the International Crane Foundation and Aldo Leopold Foundation to identify private property.