We are so lucky to have the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin. Home to the most amount of crane species in the world! The park is accessible to all with wide, cement pathways. For those wanting to go on trails, they also offer loops off their paths. There are a few covered areas for viewing the cranes and lots of areas to sit and observe the cranes. Admission is $12 or you could buy an annual pass. They have a video you can watch first about their work prior to checking out the cranes. This is a great place to spend a morning, afternoon or even the whole day. read more

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What I can say about this place is that if you're a fan of endangered species you would definitely like checking out the Crane Foundation. It's not exactly like a zoo either but it does have all the crane species here and the experiences feel up close and personal. Me and my wife came here to experience this place since this is kind of part of our Wisconsin Dells visit. The admission fee is fair for what you purchase. What I like about this place compared to your typical Zoo is that it's not full of people at all. There's limited parking and a money goes towards helping the cranes and helping their population grow. There's a lot to learn about the rich history of this species also there are plenty of short Trails too there's not any concession stands for food here at all which isn't a big deal at all either it's not a place that you need to check on every exhibit it's probably a hour hour to a hour and a half visit typically. They even have a little movie theater and a gift shop as well. The bathrooms are also very clean this place is a unique find so give this place a visit if you have the time read more

Cranes from 15 different countries working to keep them from extinction. See and learn how and where they live. Staff very informative and knowledgeable. Trails are cemented for accessibility for everyone. There are a couple of unpaved trails overlooking natural landscape and flowers. Restrooms and drinking fountains available on the paths. Picnic tables are located in the parking lot area. Tours available and guide talks about the beginning of the foundation and how they work with countries the cranes are from. Description of the cranes as you tour is most interesting. Check when signing in as to times. International Crane Foundation website https://savingcranes.org/ read more

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Who knew? What a hidden gem of Wisconsin. We immediately became members and have now visited several times, attended the events, the gala, and the Aldo Leopold Center. Great day trip! Other interesting yet further away, are the Natl Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN and the Intl Owl Center in JHouston, MN. All should be on you bucket list! read more

If you're reading this, you should go. Your interest is reading this review says to me that you are the type of person who will appreciate cranes. In 18 years Yelpers have only reviewed this place 26 times? I guess it is a hidden gem. And cranes are cool. Like many places in Wisconsin, use your GPS and you'll be fine and a little amazed at feeling like youre in the middle of nowhere and also on a truck highway. Everything here feels well kept. Start in the building and pick up a map if you want. The 3/4 of a mile walk is wheel friendly. There are informative signs about cranes (obviously) but also cultures around the world, and also native prairie plants! There are places to sit and enjoy the cranes. There are fun facts about each species, and how the specific cranes ended up here. Really this place is just a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. read more

Holy Crane, this is a must-see destination. I've been supporting them for years with annual crane counts, but I had never visited. This weekend I took a motorcycle ride and stopped in. To first time visitors, the public side is a very very high quality zoo of cranes. It's not enormous, the whole loop spanning maybe1/2 mile, but it's gorgeous. The pens are not cage-like at all and they seem aimed at protecting these amazing creatures from the wild. There are cranes from all over the world... such peaceful animals. If I was you, I'd loop to the right that culminates at the expansive Whooping Crane exhibit. The loop will count toward your meditative practice goals. It's simply impossible to observe these birds without decreasing your stress level. Each pen tells a story. Very interesting that harvesting marsh weeds seem to benefit preservation efforts in Vietnam while the same harvest in Rwanda jeopardizes them...letting you solve that puzzle in the signage. Complements to the individual bios at each stop. For the adventurers, there are loads of hiking trails just minutes south of the Dells. Take a nature breather from the stimulation. If you're interested in behind the scenes, THIS is the organization you saw on public TV making efforts to save these endangered birds. Seems that humans tried fiercely to eliminate the lot of each one. The founders story is fascinating and there's a fun, heartwarming video to enjoy. Only suggestion is to make an audio sample of the "Whoop" available somehow near the Whooping crane exhibit. I can't believe this place is so close and I've missed all these years... enjoy read more

I had. Been meaning to visit the International Crane Foundation for many years and finally made it happen on a visit back to Wisconsin earlier this year. What a wonderful and unexpected experience it was. I knew a bit of the foundation's work in expanding the whooping crane population and reintroducing their migration route, but I was so enthralled with their collection of all of the different crane types from around the world. Their exhibits are thoughtfully executed, giving these graceful birds plenty of open space. The information panels along with the helpful staff give visitors a complete understanding of these graceful creatures. This is a wonderful family-friendly experience, which is also perfectly suitable for wheelchairs. read more

I really enjoyed my time here. Easy self guided tour. Lots of places to sit down, with some in areas of no fencing between you and the cranes. About part way through the tour there is restrooms and a place to sit down in AC if you need to. read more

A must see for any bird enthusiast. The only place in the world you can see all 15 varieties of cranes in the world. A paved loop walking path leads you you the different areas. Short video at the beginning explains their goal on saving the cranes. Gift shop and restrooms very nice. Admission is 12.00 per adult . read more

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This is a great value for the money, whether you buy a daily pass or an annual membership. Don't miss the 2 miles of nature trails in addition to the wonderful Crane Exhibits. The exhibits are situated such that they are easily accessible for all to enjoy. read more

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So glad we made this stop while we visited the Dells! Cranes were beautiful! Immaculately kept facility. Picnic tables if you wanted to picnic. Hiking trails in their well maintained preserve. Interesting sculptures. Plenty of clean restrooms. Air conditioned gift shop. read more

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This has been on my bucket list for many years. After moving back to Wisconsin this spring, it was one if the first places we visited. It is definitely worth the price. The setting is beautiful and natural. Information provided by each exhibit is extremely useful and easy to understand. It was peaceful, serene and made me appreciate cranes and their graceful beauty. Staff was very friendly and seemed to really have a passion for their work...from the ticket seller to the nature staff. It says a lot about a place when the ticket person is enthusiastic! We visited on a hot day and not many birds were out. Not the fault of the facility by any means but it would have been nice if there were maybe alternatives on those days. Not sure what would work...but just a thought. I highly recommend and will be going back this fall and next spring. read more

International Crane Foundation - Zoos Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

Who would have thought that you would find a nature preserve / hiking location near the Wisconsin Dells? This is a wonderful distraction from the noise and chaos of the Dells. We spent the better part of 3 hours here more than one summer when visiting with the kids. All of the world's Crane species are represented at this park, many in their natural habitats. The enclosures are cleverly designs so that you can get amazing photos of these birds. When you come here, plan on spending about 2-3 hours at least. Bring comfortable shoes, your camera, and a hat. It can get pretty hot as there isn't a lot of shade around. Don't miss this - it's truly a one of a kind location. read more

7/3 I first heard of this foundation when we were at the International Owl Center. I'm glad we were finally able to make it out. Unfortunately, it was a really bright and sunny day so about half of the birds were taking shelter either inside their habitat or so far in the rear they couldn't easily be seen. We saw a handful of people with those super fancy cameras - the ones with the foot long lenses, so I felt a little inadequate with my camera phone. It also turns out that some cranes don't like being filmed -- they're downright aggressive! There was one pen that had a sheet of Plexiglas inside of the chain link and I thought that was so odd until a bird flew over and started banging on it with their beak! We've decided to come again closer to the fall when the bugs and the temperatures have died down. We'll take a tour at that time - we heard just a few minutes of one and it was really informative. I really look forward to coming back! read more

International Crane Foundation - Angry bird. - Zoos Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

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This is a beautiful place which is well worth the effort to get there! Very educational. If you can take a tour I recommend it.

Visiting the ICF is a must do for anyone visiting the Baraboo area; and I do mean "must do!" This time was my fifth visit and my wife's first. We walked in the door, me with a grin, in my Crane Foundation hat I had gotten 7 years ago. Big grins from a wonderful, friendly staff. Kudos for Mara. Couldn't find a better person to be a visitor's first contact with the people there. Let's see...should I pay $17.50 for us to get in (my wife is still a kid at; well, I ain't gonna tell ya). But Mara informed me for $7.50 more I could get a year membership for me and two guests for a year (also many zoos and aquariums around the state and country reciprocate; and you get in free at those places, too). Cunning little up seller:) Okay, here's the good news and the bad news. The bad news was that it had snowed....a lot, the night before; and the Whooper exhibit was closed. The good news was that there were the 9 species(out of 15) that braved the snow to greet us. I was reacquainted with my old nemesis the Brolga (Grus rubicunda). I'd like to think he was glad to see me again. The Siberians danced for us, so, of course, we joined them. My wife and I are joyful, tree hugging pagans. Cranes are really vocal and this time was no exception. So, while this visit wasn't as spectacular as most, it was most pleasant. As we were the only visitors, we got to dance with and talk to the cranes. We also got to talk with a lot of the staff one on one (well two). Back at the main building, we checked out the store. Found a Japanese crane poster on cloth paper of outstanding quality for $30 (!!) and a gorgeous crane t-shirt and several items we couldn't live without. It cost us way more to get out than to get in. My "Craniac" bumper sticker is already on my F-150. So, here's my pitch...I don't care who you are, this place is worthy of your patronage. Not too many times in your life will you be able to look a bird eye to eye and call them "spear face". Become a member, as this place is worthy of your support. No, I don't work there; but certainly would love to. p.s. to put this review in context, you should read my first review of this place. Yeah, what's up with me and the Brolga? read more

International Crane Foundation - Telling the world - Zoos Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

This places amazes me. The only place in the world that has all 15 different types of cranes, and the workers/volunteers are very delightful and obviously care very much about this place and the birds. The theater in the main building although a little dated is very cute, and the stories behind the cranes are amazing (such as how one of the founders had an egg hatch on the plane!) It's definitely worth the price of admission, under $10. If you have a group of people and/or go multiple times, a membership is more than worth it. Took home a plushie of one of the rarer species, which I found out is an exclusive to the foundation! read more

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The renovation is fantastic and makes you feel even closer to the Cranes! Love the interactive exhibits, the walking trails and great gift shop. I have been many times and always learn something new. read more

It was even better than I thought. I can't wait to go back after the park has been redesigned in a year or two. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Parking was fine. read more

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This is a small but amazing place stop at if you have a couple of hours to spare on your way to/from the Dells. We stopped in on our way back toward Chicago. The various cranes are so beautiful and you learn a lot about the efforts to study and save them from extinction. I had been a member for a few years in the past but now I still stop whenever I'm traveling through. This is a great place for kids and families. I especially love the small gift shop where they have many different types of souvenirs you can purchase. I have attached a photo of a large platter that I got here on one of my trips through Baraboo. read more

International Crane Foundation - Large crane platter I purchased at the gift shop on one of my stops here. - Zoos Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

I'm a long term fan of the International Crane Foundation. I mean, it's place founded by two guys who realized there were only 21 Whooping Cranes left and wanted to save them - and then did (there are now 600)! Talk about living your dream! My most recent visit came during an auspicious year - the ICF is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Congratulations, ICF! The facility is looking better than ever. There is a Visitor's Education Center, where you can see some great exhibits on the cranes, including how ICF has started working with locals to find ways to make both the people and the cranes' lives better by finding ways for the individuals to earn a livelihood without destroying the habitats necessary for the cranes to survive. It also has a Chick Cam, so you can see in-action the folks raising the baby cranes. They are dedicated to never allowing the chicks to impress upon humans, so the staff all wear big crane suits, and visitors cannot actually visit the chicks. One section is a rotating exhibit area, and there was a very nice photography exhibit called Bloom there on my visit. It featured gorgeous photos of the land upon which ICF sits. Of course, the stars of a visit to the ICF are the cranes themselves. It is the only place in the world you can see all 15 species in one location. Time your visit right, and you can join a guided tour, offered three times daily. It is included in your entrance fee, and these knowledgeable naturalists can really enrich your visit with the information they have to share. Our naturalist took plenty of time to talk and answer questions; the tour lasted over an hour, including the film introduction. The film was great - I'm told that it was a new one that had started just a week before our visit. It explains ICF's work over the last forty years. The cranes themselves are in three separate areas: the newest, the Spirit of Africa, features the four non-migratory African cranes; the Johnson Pod contains pairs of 10 types of cranes in different areas, and the Whooping Cranes have their very own area designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Whooping Cranes also have an additional film area. There are several water/bench areas around so you can take a break, and a number of hiking trails and an overlook that you can use too. The sustainable features used here are great - solar panels to heat the cranes' winter facilities, the newest pathways are made from 70% recycled, tumbled glass (which also makes it look really neat - very colorful), and the like. I highly recommend a visit to ICF. Your entrance fee goes to saving cranes! This is great for kids and adults - we had a child with us, and she loved it, especially when the cranes came up towards the front. read more

Love, love, love this place. Made my first visit back about 25 years ago - been back periodically, often to just watch the animals and ground myself. Has grown a lot since my first visit, but remains a beautiful place to see some amazing animals up close. Other reviewers have covered the details adequately...definitely worth a trip & worth supporting financially, if you're able. read more

I haven't been here in a long time. In about ten years or so. But I still have fond memories of this place. My father is from Baraboo, WI, so when I was about ten he took me here when I was visiting my Wisconsin relatives. Here's the part I most vividly remember. We're walking through the Foundation on a guided tour, and we're going through some sort of woods. My dad starts inquiring about some bushes he sees in the distance. Cannabis bushes, to be precise. The tour guide seems a bit nervous and tells us that they're weeds, and they just can't get rid of them. My dad smirks. I'm ten years old, and I'm really embarrassed. The people who run this place are hippies, and they're awesome. The cranes are good too. They have lots of them, and a lot of them look funny, which is always cool. They also have a bunch of cool shirts and sweatshirts. I have at least three of them from my visitations here as a child, and I wear them proudly to this day. read more

Take a few hours to visit the only place on earth where you can see all 15 species of crane. The Foundation is open to visitors April through October. There are guided tours which are very well organized and informative or you can take your time on a self guided tour. On the tour you'll be able to see all 15 species and learn about these beautiful birds found on 5 continents around the world. In addition to the cranes themselves, there are spectacular birding trails on ICF's 200+ acres of restored prairie, wetland, and savanna landscapes. Bring a picnic as there are no food services on site besides machines for soda or water. read more

Not super easy to find but your persistence will be rewarded. Nearly $10 entry fee is offset by a membership to any participating AAZA zoo or locally available coupon books for the nearby Dells. Nice gift shop and friendly staff. I did not visit the education center but have heard good things about it. The cranes are maintained in several pens, many are spacious and attractive, but the main area feels rather constrictive and old-fashioned. Nonetheless, the animals appear healthy. Nice trails around the exhibits and grounds, water and shade stations all over the place, and a nice picnic area help the experience. I'm not a bird guy (my wife is the birdwatcher in our family), but it was still worth the stop. read more

What an amazing place. If you are ever in the Baraboo area - you have to make a trip and support this hidden gem. Next time I visit I'd like to check out some of the trails everyone is talking about! read more

Quiet, lovely prairie. And they are saving this remarkable variety of cranes. A little slice of heaven. read more

International Crane Foundation - Zoos Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

It's a nice surprise to find this Crane sanctuary. They do an excellent job at educating people about cranes, and you can get up close and personal with the 15 different types! Great place to go for a day trip. read more

International Crane Foundation - International Crane Foundation, Baraboo WI - Zoos Near Me - Baraboo, Wisconsin

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Visited for my third time. If I take someone with who has never been, they love it. I enjoyed seeing the upgrades they made. It is wonderful to watch the cranes and hear them. Such beautiful birds. The work being done to help bring the Whooping Crane back from extinction is amazing to learn about. If you become a member, you can go to the member appreciation day they have and you see off exhibit areas like crane city. This is an amazing place. For sure will be back. read more

If you love birds, especially long-legged stately birds, this is a great place to visit. You can get up close and personal with the world's 15 crane species and support endangered species conservation efforts at the same time! Great photo ops of cranes. Well-groomed trails; informative educational tours, good intro movie; nice gift store with some unique items; friendly staff. We could sit in the peaceful viewing area and watch the whooping cranes for hours. read more

This is a fun little place to bring the kids and spend an afternoon. Because I spend a lot of time in the area, I probably go 3 to 4 times a year. Buying a membership almost pays back on its first trip if you are in a larger sized group. The portion of this place that is regularly open to the public displays all of the cranes from around the world in different cages. They also have a Whooping Crane exhibit that is off on its own and represents a more natural habitat and has a larger viewing / sitting area. Before going to this place, I didn't know anything about cranes, after leaving this place, I know more than I ever imagined I could know about cranes. The "zoo" portion of the facility is not big and you can go through it in a couple of hours. There is also a nature center on the property. In addition to the formal exhibits, they have a number of nature trails that run through the property for visitors to take advantage of. Periodically they have special days with a variety of activities on site to supplement the every day exhibits. read more

This is an absolute must-go if you are anywhere in the vicinity. For $9.50 admission, you can wander around and see 15 different types of cranes, and learn about the efforts to increase their numbers and save them from extinction. The people who work there are warm and welcoming, the gift shop is a good one, and the grounds are beautifully designed to take visitors from one type of crane to another. There is a short film available, which was interesting, and there are also several walking trails. This is a gem and well worth the visit. read more