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Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River!

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Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
2 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 7187.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Gibbon, NE
  • Place, Great Platte River Road Archway
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Place, Younes Conference Center South
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Place, University of Nebraska Kearney
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Airport, Kearney, NE (EAR-Kearney Regional)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Loft

2 Double Beds and 1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom #1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Garage 1/2 Bathroom

Toilet

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River!

A cozy cabin sitting on 3/4 of a mile of Platte River ground & directly on the sandhill cranes’ main migration path. These birds will put you to bed at night and wake you up early as they decide to leave the roost and head out to the feeding areas for the day. This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cabin with a large loft & sleeping area will comfortably sleep 7 adults.

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Exterior
Crane and Nature Lovers Dream - Perfect for Crane Viewing!
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (141 reviews)
Crane and Nature Lovers Dream - Perfect for Crane Viewing!

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
An extra fee of $500 will be assessed for any animal found to be on the property.
Additional fees will be imposed for late/early check in/check out and must be approved by owners.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Shelton

Located in Shelton, this cabin is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Big Apple Fun Center and Meadowlark Hills Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Trails and Rails Museum and Bumblebees. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Gibbon, NE

What's nearby

  • Great Platte River Road Archway - 28 min drive - 32.6 km
  • Classic Car Collection - 31 min drive - 35.5 km
  • Younes Conference Center South - 31 min drive - 38.3 km
  • Viaero Event Center - 32 min drive - 39.0 km
  • University of Nebraska Kearney - 35 min drive - 40.5 km

Getting around

  • Kearney, NE (EAR-Kearney Regional) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rise & Grind - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Railside Highway Diner - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Grammie's Kitchen - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Doña Mary - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Abarrotes Y Novedades - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River!?

As of 22 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River! on 7 April 2026 start from NZ$1,372, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Sandhill Crane viewing experience of a lifetime in Nebraska on the Platte River! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is 5.6 mi (8.9 km) from War Axe State Recreation Area and within 12 miles (20 km) of Platte River and Windmill State Recreation Area. Cheyenne State Recreation Area and Great Platte River Road Archway are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Regina D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sand hill crane adventure

Delightful accommodations for viewing the spectacular sandhill migration.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Louis B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Crane watch

Wonderful in all aspects. This place is great, and the host is very professional and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robin F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely fabulous.

Everything is just as described. Very comfortable and good location. Quiet, lots of wildlife. Close proximity to Rowe Sanctuary. Loved staying here.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kay N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bird watching in Nebraska

What a great place to stay to watch the crane migration. The first evening we sat on the beautiful patio and had sandhill cranes all around us. Close to the best bird viewing spots. Clean and cozy. Fully equipped kitchen. And enjoyed the fireplace. We loved this place. And would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Logan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Getaway

We had a wonderful weekend in this cabin. It was a time for our family to come together, rest, relax, catch up, and get to experience the majesty of the sandhill crane migration. The cabin was clean, warm, and cozy. Since the weather was cold and windy for most of our visit, all of the large windows were perfect and allowed us to take in the beauty of the surrounding river and fields while staying warm.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beth O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Breathtakingly beautiful crane experience

The property was gorgeous, everything as advertised and much more. So bright, clean, spacious, comfortable, well stocked and appointed. Perfect for enjoying the amazing crane migration and spectacular prairie chickens displays at the fabulous nearby Rowe Sanctuary and Prairie Wind Birding Tours. Would HIGHLY recommend this lovely place and our very kind, helpful hosts. Five star plus!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Wonderful Base for our Crane adventure!

This cabin is perfectly situated for anyone coming to see the crane migration! It’s a beautiful home with a stunning view of the river. The last night we were there 18 wild turkeys strolled by the window! The Rowe Center is only minutes away and we saw lots of cranes in the surrounding fields and river. The owner is a great communicator and we had everything we needed for a great visit! I absolutely recommend this property!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Crane heaven!

We have traveled through Nebraska hundreds of times, but never in March during the crane migration. We loved it and this house was amazing too! Everything in the house was wonderful and the setting on the river was beautiful. Communication with the owners was great. They were so quick to reply to everything we asked about. We endured a really bad blizzard while we were there, but the house stayed warm and comfortable. Secluded setting which we loved too. Kitchen was great and the beds were all extremely comfortable. Would we return! Absolutely! Thank you Marc and Melissa for sharing your amazing home!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Larry D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

We arrived in a blizzard and the host called us to tell us we could stay another day because of the weather, unfortunately we could not. We went to see cranes, and we saw cranes in the thousands, some with in a 100 yards of the house. The house is pricey but worth it. Every thing about the place is top of the line. I would and will rent it again. Larry Determann
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sydney H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible

Worth it 110%. The crane viewing is phenomenal -- from the house you can see them on the river, wake up to them lifting off, watch them in the cornfields all day, watch then come back at sunset, and sleep to their sounds all night (if you want! windows are well sealed if you don't ;). we booked several sunrise/sunset tours at local places but honestly our favorite crane moments were from this house. aside from the cranes, the house itself is amazing--comfortable, clean, cozy fireplace, has everything you need, and the host is great. one of our favorite trips, ever. Thank you Marc!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

kathryn q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Your own private sand hill crane refuge!

This is a spectacular cabin that is right next to the Platte River with huge window views of the river flowing by. Thousands of cranes fly by and overhead in the evening seeking their spot for the night and they erupt in the morning from a nearby, more shallow waterway to head back to the corn fields to feed. It really is an incredible sight, and the warbling and trumpeting of the birds is a chorus of nature. The cabin is close to perfect, very well-equipped and comfortable. So well constructed that a day and night of heavy winds felt cozy, not drafty. Looking out over the river in either direction, you cannot see any other houses or structures. You’ve got this beautiful setting to yourself, along with the deer, eagles (saw two), wading birds and Canadian geese, and wild turkeys (saw many, including a LARGE tom turkey with about 25 hens). If you want to witness the Sandhill crane migration from a well appointed cabin/lodge, this really is the place. And viewing platforms at the Audubon refuge and roadside stops abound. 5 stars for sure! Also recommend Adam’s Corner Market in Gibbon for provisions and Rowe Sanctuary for “crane lessons” and a nice, affordable gift store.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place is tucked away on the river giving a retreat vibe. We came for the birds and heard them from the back patio at night. Rowe Sanctuary is nearby and Crane Trust about 20 mins. Would def stay again. Host is excellent w communication. Felt very cared for.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eric G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean and comfortable throughout. Large open living area including kitchen and fireplace with great views of fields, woods and river. Kitchen well equipped - appliances, cookware, tableware. And stocked with staples and a treats. Close to Rowe Sanctuary. Lots of birds in flight over the property. Attentive (but not imposing) and generous hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect place to witness the Sandhill Crane migration.

Our purpose in going to Kearney was to witness the Sandhill Crane migration. With this cabin/hunting lodge being right on the North Platte river, it was ideal. I communicated with the host on multiple occasions before our arrival, while there and after. He was very responsive, helpful and accommodating. There was even a very nice welcome basket for us. The beds were comfortable, everything was clean and kept up. The kitchen was fully stocked with everything we needed for a pleasant stay. We couldn't have asked for more from our lodging or the host. But again, we were there for the cranes and they were everywhere. The fields surrounding the place, flying up and down the river and its location was close to multiple viewing platforms and the Rowe Audubon Sanctuary where we reserved a spot in a blind one morning. The whole experience from lodging to birding was epic. The experience was so good, that we are already talking about next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Solitude Meets Modern Chic Comfort

Solitude and modern comfort can be found in this property that my wife and in-laws fell in love with almost immediately. Extremely well constructed and feels brand new. Lots of upscale touches and amenities without feeling like a hotel. My wife loved the "crunchy" duvet on the king bed. Heating/air were very well done. Kitchen is well stocked and appointed. A branch of the braided river is truly just outside the door. The fireplace was one of the best I've utilized in over 20+ years of vacation home renting. This home has no other structure for at least a half mile around it. I'm sure when the corn is matured, it feels like a private world. I would comment that the bedrooms are rather small as are the bathrooms. The a/c-heating unit worked great and was very efficient. We were certainly close enough to visit North Platte, some of the Sandhills biway, Kearney, The Rowe Sanctuary, etc. Okay..need to discuss the nightly rate. Relative to other locations the price seems high, BUT there is an underlying sense of quality and peace that are hard to find at lower price ranges across the country. Much like the Nebraska motto says, it is not for everyone. But if you are tired of the half-promised, re-run worn out furniture, scarred pans, hand-me-down towels, scuffed floors, dirty windows, etc. of so many rentals these days, this location will be well worth every penny you spend. We plan on returning for sure.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Cranes, river,deer

We are interested in the Cranes passing through Nebraska. This hunting cabin was in the perfect location.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful experience!!!

We loved our stay at this beautiful home! Our family felt like we were staying at a friend's cabin home, rather than a rental property. The home was the best stocked property we have ever stayed at--from kitchen wares and stocked pantry to bedding needs, you name it! The expansive windows allow breathtaking views of the water and tons of wildlife. This property had everything we hoped for and more. The owners were very helpful with great directions and responsiveness, and thoughtful with notes and a welcome gift at our arrival. We loved our stay! This home is great for all ages and will not disappoint.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

About the host

Hosted by Marc Willis

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