A Scenic Drive in Nebraska's Sandhills Discovers Natural Wonder

SEA OF GRASS
Nebraska's sprawling SANDHILLS REGION lacks precise boundaries. But everyone agrees that however they're defined, they're a wonder: the country's biggest chunk of intact grassland, atop a huge reservoir, home to more than 300 vertebrate species ...

ROUTE 66

This guide charts the classic itinerary from Chicago to Santa Monica, threading through the heartland and Southwest to discover throwback road culture and modern-day community.

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THE DRIVE
The SANDHILLS JOURNEY SCENIC BYWAY, also known as Highway 2, spans a big arc of territory, covering 272 miles from Alliance to Grand Island (or vice versa).

MIGRATION MOMENT
While the area offers natural marvels year-round, many travelers look toward the winter/spring migration of up to 1 million SANDHILL CRANES is the name-brand draw here. The birds typically alight in February and fuel up for the next leg of their northern route until mid-April. The Nature Conservancy, among many other sources, has more.

CRANE CAMP?
One small but intriguing stop: the 12-spot RV campground at Niobara Valley Vineyards: electric hook-ups and dark-sky stars.