2025 Yampa Valley Crane Festival is Aug. 28-31

August 25, 2025 Shannon Lukens

By Shannon Lukens.

The 14th Annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival is Aug. 28-31, with a few fun events getting things going early this week. Many events are free. Some require pre-registration and have a fee.

Yampa Valley Crane Festival Schedule

Tuesday, Aug. 26 5-7 p.m.

Crane Fest Kids Night at Bud Werner Memorial Library. Join us for a special kids’ night featuring:

5 p.m. – Children’s activities & games open, featuring crane storytelling from Spellbinders
5:30 p.m. – showing of Molly of Denali, “Crane Song” episode, followed by the Crane Coloring Contest Award Ceremony
6:15 p.m. – Children’s activities & games!

Molly of Denali is an animated PBS children’s television series that features various adventures. In the episode titled “Crane Song,” Molly helps her scientist friends, Nina and Dr. Antigone, band crane colts. Molly’s resourcefulness helps in their conservation efforts and highlights her connection to nature and her community. The episode and the book both emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation and the role of community in these efforts. Directed by Uwe Rafael Braun.

Crane Storytelling led by Spellbinders: Perfect for children of all ages.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 4-6 p.m.

Craig Craniac Happy Hour at Yampa Valley Brewery, Yampa Valley Brewery, 576 Yampa Ave., Craig, CO
All are welcome to gather with the Craig community craniacs and crane supporters for live instrumental music, conversation, and fun. Drinks and food available for purchase from Yampa Valley Brewery & the Local.

Join the Paint & Sip class at 5:30 pm to paint a ceramic feather dish – $25 includes all materials and one drink. Register for the Paint & Sip through Yampa Valley Brewery by August 17. **Anyone is welcome to attend the Happy Hour, but advanced registration and fee required for the Paint & Sip through Yampa Valley Brewery. Call 970.238.2355 or email savana@yampavalleybrew by August 17.

Thursday, Aug. 28

9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Paint A Crane with Sumi Ink at Steamboat Art Museum
3 – 4 p.m. – “Fast Talking, Slow Birding” at Bud Werner Library
3 – 8 p.m. – Educational Crane Displays at Bud Werner Memorial Library
4 – 5 p.m. – “Why We Love Cranes” By Paul Tebbel, Crane Expert – Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library
5:15 – 6:15 p.m. – Spirit Wind Aerial Arts Dancers, led by local aerialist Heidi Miller – Library Lawn at Bud Werner Memorial Library
6:30 – 7:45 p.m. – “State of the Birds” Update & Interactive Bird Education Stations at Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library

Friday, Aug. 29

5:45 – 8:45 a.m. – Guided Sunrise Crane Viewing at Stockbridge Transit Center
8 – 10:30 a.m. – Rehder Ranch Guided Bird Walk Led by Sue Riffe, birding guide and expert on bird song. Bird at this historic sheep ranch along Harrison Creek that is surrounded by willows, aspens, and open fields. Click here for details.**Advance registration and $26 fee required.
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Yampa Preserve Guided Bird Walk Led by Lisa and Paul Williams – Yampa Valley Birding Club.
This property is owned by The Nature Conservancy and harbors one of the largest remaining examples of a rare riparian forest type dominated by narrowleaf cottonwood, box elder maple, and red-osier dogwood. Click here for details. **Advance registration and $26 fee required.
NEW! 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Carpenter Ranch Birding and Nature Study Led by Ted Floyd, editor of Birding magazine. Bird at The Nature Conservancy’s historic Carpenter Ranch, a birdwatcher’s paradise located along the Yampa River west of Steamboat Springs. Click here for details. **Advance registration and $26 fee required.
9 – 10 a.m. – Birding the Steamboat Springs Core Trail Led by by Rebecca Weiss, naturalist and author of Birds of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Join Rebecca for a casual stroll along the core trail outside the Bud Werner Library. As you walk along the trail that parallels the Yampa River, Rebecca will help you identify the birds and other fauna of the area. Bring binoculars, water, and wear comfortable shoes. Meet on the core trail next to the Bud Werner Library parking lot. This walk will be easy and on a paved surface. Click here for details. **Advance registration and $7 fee required
9, 10:30, or noon – Scenic Excursion by Pontoon Boat Led by Julie Arington – Steamboat Lake State Park Marina **Advance registration and $42 fee required.
10 a.m. – 12noon – Nature-Journaling Workshop Led by Cindy Wither and Stevi Quate – Bud Werner Memorial Library **Advance registration and $25 fee required.
10:30 – 11:30 am – Optics 101: Choosing the Best Binocs For You By Chip Clouse – Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial LibraryFREE event, no registration required.
12 – 12:45 a.m. – “Celebrating Cranes in Northwest Colorado” By Meg Karschner – CCCC Executive Director – Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library
1 – 2:15 p.m. – Learning Bird Song With a Focus on Birds of Routt County By Sue Riffe– Birding Guide and Expert on Bird Song – Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library
3 – 3:45 p.m.; 4 – 4:45 p.m. – Pollinators: Hummingbirds and Hummingbird Moths Led by Ted Floyd, editor of Birding Magazine, Yampa River Botanic Park Short introduction followed by a pollinator walk at a relaxed-pace. Meet at the Trillium House within the Botanic Park. Choose from 2 separate walks. Click here for details. **Advance registration and $21 fee required.
4 – 6 p.m. – Crane Festival Happy Hour Co-hosted by Crane Trust and the International Crane Foundation – The Press, 1009 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Film – Dances With Cranes Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library

Saturday, Aug. 30

5:45 – 8:45 a.m. Guided Sunrise Crane Viewing start at Stockbridge Transit Center. Shuttles will transport you to two locations where you can get off the shuttles to view the cranes flying overhead and feeding in agricultural fields. Paul Tebbel will address your questions and provide pertinent information about Sandhill Cranes and their behavior to enhance your crane viewing experience. The shuttles depart and return to Stockbridge Transit Center. Please bring binoculars and dress for weather. Click here for directions. **Advance registration and fee required. $27/adult; $17/kids, 17 and under.

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Mt. Harris History and Guided Bird Walk Led by Lisa and Paul Williams, Yampa Valley Birding Club, with history talk by Laurel Watson, curator of Hayden Museum. Learn about this historic coal-mining town and bird along the Yampa River’s unique cottonwood-dogwood-box elder maple plant community. Click here for details. **Advance registration and $26 fee required.

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Carpenter Ranch Guided Bird Walk Led by Ted Floyd, editor of Birding magazine. Bird at The Nature Conservancy’s historic Carpenter Ranch, a birdwatcher’s paradise located along the Yampa River west of Steamboat Springs. Click here for details. **Advance registration and $26 fee required.

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Fish Creek Falls Guided Bird Walk Led by Sue Riffe, birding guide and expert on bird song.Note: There is a $5/day vehicle day use fee. **Advance registration and $25 fee required.

9 – 10 a.m. – Birding the Steamboat Springs Core Trail Led by by Rebecca Weiss, naturalist and author of Birds of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley.**Advance registration and $7 fee required

9 – 10:30 a.m. – Sketch-a-Bird Workshop Taught by local artist, Joanne Orce with Nature’s Educators live birds and crane taxidermy – Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library. All ages welcome and supplies provided. Meet in Library Hall for this FREE workshop. No registration required.

10 – 11:30 a.m. – Children and Family Activities Library Lawn near the raptor booth and Children’s Library. Enjoy educational bird and nature activities presented by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Yampatika. FREE and no registration required.

10 a.m. – 12 noon – Guided Nature Walk Led by botanist and naturalist, Karen Vail – Steamboat Ski Resort**Advance registration and $35 fee required.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Nature’s Educators Live Raptor Booth Library Lawn near Children’s Library

11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – “Moving Western Sandhill Crane Conservation and Management Forward: A Perspective Gained From a Decade-Plus of Research” By Dan Collins, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Game Bird Biologist and Crane Expert.

1 – 1:15 p.m. – Photo Contest and Poster Contest Awards

Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. – KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: “ Helping Cranes Worldwide, Especially in Mongolia” By Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation.

4:30 – 8:45 p.m. – Carpenter Ranch Picnic Dinner and Talk, Followed by Guided Crane Viewing. This event will be held at The Nature Conservancy’s historic Carpenter Ranch in Hayden. Enjoy a buffet-style dinner from Big Air Catering and a talk by Ted Floyd and Rebecca Weiss. **Please note that you must be pre-registered for a shuttle (Option 1) to participate in the sunset crane-viewing. No private cars will be allowed on the crane-viewing. ** Advance registration required.

Sunday, Aug. 31

5:45 – 8:45 a.m. – Guided Sunrise Crane Viewing Stockbridge Transit Center. Shuttle will transport you to two locations where you can get off the shuttles to view the cranes flying overhead and feeding in agricultural fields. Paul Tebbel will address your questions and provide pertinent information about Sandhill Cranes and their behavior to enhance your crane viewing experience. The shuttles depart and return to Stockbridge Transit Center. Please bring binoculars and dress for weather. Click here for directions. **Advance registration and fee required. $27/adult; $17/kids, 17 and under

6:45 – 10:30 a.m. – Marabou Ranch Bird Outing Led by Sue Riffe, birding guide and expert on bird song. Enjoy birding throughout Marabou, a unique private ranch preservation community and working cattle and hay ranch. This trip involves both walking and shuttle transportation around the Marabou property. Click here for details. **Advanced registration and $37 fee required.

8 – 10 a.m. – Loudy-Simpson Guided Bird Walk Led by Forrest Luke and Alan Reishus Bird walk at Northwest Colorado’s best migrant trap, Loudy-Simpson Park in Craig. Click here for details. **Advanced registration and $21 fee required.

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Yampa Preserve Guided Bird Walk Led by Ted Floyd, editor of Birding magazine, and Rebecca Weiss, naturalist and author of Birds of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Bird at this property owned by The Nature Conservancy that harbors one of the largest remaining examples of a rare riparian forest type dominated by narrowleaf cottonwood, box elder maple, and red-osier dogwood. Click here for details. **Advance registration and $26 fee required.

9 – 10 a.m. – “Meet and Greet” with Festival Speakers Inclusions Bakery & Dessert Bar – 1125 Lincoln Ave, Unit 100, Steamboat Springs, CO Join our festival speakers, George Archibald and Dan Collins, as well as other festival personnel, for an informal, Dutch treat coffee hour. Here is your chance to chat with experts in their respective fields. No registration required.

10 – 11 a.m. – Crane Yoga Led by Liz Leipold – Library Lawn at Bud Werner Memorial Library Join yoga instructor Liz Leipold for a gentle yoga sequence about the life of the cranes, from calling, meeting, dancing, hatching, and growing up. Bring your own mat/towel. All ages welcome. Free, no registration required.

10a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Nature’s Educators Live Raptor Booth

Library Lawn near Children’s Library Visit with live raptors on the Library Lawn. Learn about raptors and the physical and behavioral adaptations they have that help them survive in their environment. Meet some real raptors and learn their personal stories and amazing features. All ages are welcome for this FREE event. Learn more about Nature’s Educators.

11:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. – Film – “Dances with Cranes” Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library. Dances With Cranes follows the remarkable recovery story of whooping cranes, and the extraordinary lengths passionate scientists will go to save them – from performing a mating dance with a human-imprinted crane in captivity, to jumping out of a helicopter to study juvenile cranes in the wild. Over the course of a year in the life of three whooping crane chicks, host Sarika-Cullis Suzuki finds out what it takes to bring a species back from the brink of extinction – from the early days when they seemed doomed to disappear, to the new challenges whooping cranes face thanks to climate change.

11:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m. – Bag Lunch and iNaturalist Workshop at Carpenter Ranch Led by Jeremiah Psiropoulos, professional wildlife biologist and owner of Antigone Wildlife Tours. Participants will learn how to use iNaturalist and Seek by iNat app while learning about insects, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and birds at the historic Carpenter Ranch near Hayden, Colorado. This event is suitable for people of all ages, including families and children; no experience necessary. Bring your lunch and your smartphones and we’ll show you how to learn about nature with technology! Carpenter Ranch is known as a birdwatcher’s paradise (over 150 species on the ranch bird list) located along the Yampa River 20 miles west of Steamboat Springs. The ranch also offers a remarkably diverse variety of insects. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) acquired the ranch in 1996 as the centerpiece of its broader effort to conserve the natural and agricultural heritage of the Yampa River Valley. Today, the Conservancy manages this historic, biologically significant property as a working cattle ranch to explore ways to simultaneously pursue agricultural production and the conservation of streamside and wetland habitats. **Advanced registration and $21 fee required.

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – “Talon Talk” By Nature’s Educators – Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library. Enjoy an all ages presentation with live birds of prey from Colorado and beyond during this FREE event.