Monte Vista Crane Festival fosters community enjoyment through unifying bird-filled programming

Feb. 6, 2026

Photo Credit: Patrick Myers

Birding and community creativity will combine when the Monte Vista Crane Festival returns for its 43rd year, spotlighting the Sandhill Cranes as they stop in the San Luis Valley mid-migration.

Starting March 6, local organizations and community leaders will welcome crane spotters to the Ski Hi Complex for three days of activities focused on migration, conservation and expression.

How Monte Vista supports the Sandhills

Amy Engle, the festival’s lead organizer, emphasized that observing the cranes is free, with the festival even providing crane-spotting maps and a viewing guide on their website.

While attending festival events requires a ticket purchase, the programming available will provide additional information on the migration and local environmental efforts taking place.

The Sandhill Cranes migrate to the Greater Yellowstone region in the spring, passing through Colorado after a winter in Southern New Mexico.

Engle noted that Monte Vista is a particularly favorable spot due to its crops and the presence of community-monitored water sources for rest.

“The wildlife refuge in this area, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, has special permissions to pump water in the spring to make sure that there is water, live water, available for the birds, and it's been doing that forever and ever. That's why the birds come here,” Engle said.

For those who want a more curated crane viewing experience, the festival offers topical tours and walks, including archaeological explorations, wildlife refuge tours, bus observation options and birding walks with SLV GO!

Due to high demand and group caps of 18 to 20, Engle encourages festivalgoers to purchase their spots as soon as possible.

More specialized information will also be available from speaker perspectives across the weekend’s 14 talks.

Attendees have opportunities to learn more about wildlife detection dogs, avian anatomy, water conservation efforts and more. Engle added that Hawks Aloft will also be there, offering informational opportunities to view live raptors.

Photo Credit: Ruthanne Johnson

Photo Credit: Ruthanne Johnson

The event’s keynote speaker will be Rosemary Mosco, a science communicator and cartoonist whose remarks will focus on underappreciated birds. Engle noted she will also lead an all-ages-friendly workshop on cartooning.

Mosco’s drawing workshop is not the only art-centric offering available during the festival.

According to Engle and the festival’s schedule, visitors can enjoy photography workshops, sip-and-paints, printmaking lessons and more.

Photo Credit: Ruthanne Johnson

Photo Credit: Ruthanne Johnson

Attendees looking to soak in the arts rather than experiment themselves can explore the Crane, Craft & Nature Fair. The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce is organizing and fielding inquiries for this free event, which features work from regional and local artists.

Those looking for an event that explores the creative and informational sides of the festival can attend the Friday movie showing of “Listers.” Engle described the film as a humorous documentary featuring two men who decide to become birders and embark on a yearlong extreme viewing excursion across the country.

To effectively run these events, the festival needs volunteer help. Anyone interested can sign up for shifts on their website, and those who sign up for a four-hour shift get a free ticket and T-shirt.

General admission tickets, which cover the whole weekend, cost $48.15 per person and can be purchased here through the start of the festival; they mayalso be available for purchase onsite.

According to the festival’s website, children aged 15 and under get free general admission and, like passholders, only need tickets for certain tours and workshops; these can also be purchased at the bottom of the same page.

Engle’s travel and technical tips

Engle shared that people traveling to see the cranes and attend the festival fill up Monte Vista’s lodging space quickly, so booking early is best.

She explained that options are available in Alamosa, Del Norte and other nearby towns in the San Luis Valley that only require a short commute; more information on lodging, as well as local attractions, parking and other necessities, is available here.

Photo credit: Joe Zinn

Additionally, the weather in Monte Vista can change drastically and frequently, so Engle suggests wearing and bringing clothing for all possible conditions.

Connect with the fest

Those with questions or concerns can email or call the festival’s team at 719-490-8006. Engle noted that the event is run by a small group that’s now in full preparation mode, but they will respond when possible.

More information and festival updates can be found on the event’s website, as well as on Instagram and Facebook. They also offer a newsletter with more in-depth and early-access information.

Amy Engle’s Colorado Favorites

1. The Great Sand Dunes- Near Alamosa

Engle suggests visiting this “giant sandbox” park in late spring or early summer, especially when Medano Creek is full and flowing, to enjoy the wavy, “almost tidal feel” the sand gets.

“Everybody in Colorado should go there at some point in their life because it's one of the most unique things in the country and certainly in Colorado.”

2. Wolf Creek Ski Area- Near South Fork and Pagosa Springs

Engle is an avid skier and finds this independently owned skiing site “really special.”

3. SLV GO!- Based in Alamosa

San Luis Valley Great Outdoors! is a nonprofit that works to connect communities with the outdoors through conservation and education efforts. Engle expressed admiration and appreciation for their work.

“They've been able to really have a big impact in our area, and a lot of the trails that you might walk on if you come to Crane Festival, or if you're just in town for the day, are trails that SLV GO! help make happen. And they just keep working to really democratize outdoor access for everybody, and I just think it's a really valuable mission.”

4. The Church Project- Based in Monte Vista

This community center offers space for creative expression and opportunities to explore a range of art forms.

They offer workshops, events and camps that span the performance, written and visual arts.

Engle has attended many of their workshops and appreciates their commitment to making the arts approachable and accessible.