Guest Services and Accessibility

The International Crane Foundation prioritizes accessibility and safety to ensure a welcoming experience for all visitors. We are committed to making our grounds as inclusive as possible, offering various amenities and accommodations to support individuals with mobility or cognitive challenges. Below, you’ll find details about the specific accessibility features available.

For more accessibility information, please contact our Conservation Education Department at 608-356-9462 ext. 127.

Accessibility features of our site include:

Scooter rentals available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Scooters are not allowed on unpaved trails.
Paved trail system throughout the main exhibit area, accessible to visitors using wheelchairs, strollers, or scooters.
Accessible restrooms.
Accessible parking spaces.
- For assistance with additional accessible parking, please inquire at the welcome desk upon arrival.
ADA-approved door handles throughout the facility.
Accessible Welcome Center and Gift Shop.
Highly visible enclosures for crane observation.
Sensory bags available for checkout.
Hidden disabilities lanyard available for checkout.
Listen Loop installed in the Global Crane Conservation Theater. Users may switch hearing devices to the T-Coil program or borrow a portable system in the theater.
Self-guided app with audio narration.
iPad checkout program for using the self-guided app.

Policies:

Pets and Service Animals: Pets are not permitted. Only ADA service animals are allowed.

Guests with Service Animals may be required to:

Respond truthfully to limited and appropriate inquiries made by International Crane Foundation staff regarding the service animal.
Ensure that the service animal meets local licensing requirements, including maintenance of required immunizations.
Service animals (or service-animals-in-training) should wear their required license tags at all times.
Service animals (or service-animals-in-training) should wear a harness, leash, or other tether, unless the handler is unable to do so, because of a disability, or if the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks. The service animal must remain under the handler’s control via commands, signals, or other effective means or staff may ask the animal be removed for safety of the cranes and guests.

Interacting with exhibit birds: The cranes found in our exhibit area may walk to the front of their enclosures as visitors approach. This behavior is aggressive protection of their territory. Please respect our cranes by not reaching past the fences and guardrails surrounding their enclosures. Please do not call to the cranes or imitate their behavior.

Cameras: Visitors are welcome to take pictures and videos during their visit. Flash photography is allowed.

Food and beverages: Visitors can enjoy lunch or a snack while visiting the International Crane Foundation. You may bring food and non-alcoholic drinks or purchase snacks and beverages in the gift shop. Several picnic tables and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Help us keep the cranes in top condition by not sharing your food with them. They get expert daily care with a well-balanced diet.

Littering: Keeping our site clean means keeping our cranes healthy. Because cranes are omnivorous (they eat everything), they can mistake litter for food. Trash cans and recycling bins are located throughout our site.

Smoking: For the comfort of all guests and cranes, smoking, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vaping is only permitted in the parking lot.

Nature trails: Visitors are encouraged to explore our site’s three miles of nature trails weaving through prairie, oak savanna, wetland, and forest ecosystems. However, walking off trails is not allowed since the restorations and fragile ecosystems could be damaged. Please do not pick flowers and grasses.

Feather collection: Visitors are not allowed to take crane or any feathers off the site. Various laws protect each species, and permits are needed to obtain or hold crane feathers. Please leave all feathers in nature.

Bicycles, Scooters, and Skateboards: No skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, tricycles, or scooters are allowed past the admissions area. Bike racks are available in the parking lot.

Photography: By entering the International Crane Foundation, you give consent to use your image or likeness in photographs taken on our property by our staff or volunteers for advertising or communication purposes.