Monte Vista Crane Festival

Nearly 30,000 cranes pass through the San Luis Valley during their twice-annual migration between their summer range around Yellowstone National Park and winter breeding grounds in Bosque del Apache in New Mexico and farther south. Alamosa and Monte Vista national wildlife refuges are famous stopping points for the cranes, and hundreds of bird watchers gather each March for the Monte Vista Crane Festival. The festival typically includes photography workshops, tours of the refuges, guided bird walks and guest speakers. Beyond the site of thousands of cranes circling overhead is the sound that comes with the massive flock. Truly an experience.