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Audubon Crane Sanctuary


category : Natural Attractions
Every spring they come...A half million of them. Most of the sandhill cranes on this earth. And for a long, splendid month in March and early April they live and dance along the Platte River north of Minden, Neb. There may be a whooping crane among them, traveling along to Arctic nesting grounds. Togeher, these maginificent birds represent one of nature's most unforgettable spectacles. At sunrise the old railoroad bridge a mile north of Fort Kearny is the ideal place to watch the cranes. Plan on arriving a half-hour before sunrise and staying a half-hour after sunset. Seats and parking are plentiful. Another good location for watching the cranes leave and come back to the roost is the south bridge over the Platte River on Highway 10--park your car just south of the bridge. During the day, the cranes feed in the cornfields along Highways 50 and 10. It's important that you stay in your car to watch the birds as thry are extremely wary of persons on foot. Located 10 miles North of Minden.


Come visit us in Minden, Nebraska

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

Campers will find south-central Nebraska's Fort Kearny State Recreation Area much to their liking. Once called Kearney County SRA, this rec area boasts excellent camping facilities. The attractive 152-acre area was acquired by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 1960

Minden, NE Recreation

Kearney County Court House

After a spirited disagreement the county seat was moved from Lowell to Minden, and a frame building was erected on this site in 1879. The cornerstone of the present building was laid July 17, 1906

Minden, NE Historic Courthouses

Burlington-Northern Depot

The Minden depot is a brick/stucco structure completed in 1913. The original frame depot was then used as a freight house placed to the west of the passenger depot. The engineering department of the old CB&Q, predecessor of BN, designed several floor plans during the period of 1910-1920

Minden, NE Railroad History

Minden Opera House

Minden Opera House was built in 1891 and featured plays and Monday night dances that drew traveling bands until entertainment events at the facility ceased in the late 1940'

Minden, NE Historic Buildings

Evangelical Free Church

Originally built as the First Presbyterian Church in 1909

Minden, NE Historic Churches

Things to do Natural Attractions near Minden, NE

Audubon Crane Sanctuary

Every spring they come...A half million of them. Most of the sandhill cranes on this earth. And for a long, splendid month in...