Featured image by skeeze, courtesy Pixabay

Hundreds of sandhill cranes return to eastern Washington during their annual migration in March. And so does the Sandhill Crane Festival, a three-day event that attracts birders and other nature lovers to the Columbia River Basin town of Othello, Washington.

From Friday through Sunday, March 22 to 24, take tours from Othello to the sandhill viewing areas, guided by birding experts and naturalists. Also go on tours and hikes to see the geologic features of the area and other wildlife. Throughout the weekend, hear lectures from experts about the cranes and local wildlife, conservation, photographing birds, and the ecology and geology of the Columbia River Basin.

Tours are still available but fill fast, so register as soon as you can. Prices vary, depending on the type of tour and time of day. There’s an additional general admission charge to hear the lectures ($10 adults, $5 seniors, and free for children). The general admission ticket covers all of the lectures.

Boxed lunches are $10 each per day and are available on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Rotary Club is hosting a breakfast. Prices range from $5 to $10, depending on how much food you want.

Make tour reservations and buy general admission and food tickets.

Download a brochure of the weekend’s events (in PDF).

Hotels are filled already in Othello, but rooms are still available in Moses Lake, 20 miles north.

Learn more about the festival at OthelloSandhillCraneFestival.org.

Othello is 82 miles northeast of Yakima, 111 miles southeast of Spokane, 178 miles east of Seattle, and 264 miles northeast of Portland.