Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area

Rhiannon Thunell

2024-05

Beautiful place, very large and great habitat for wildlife. Came here to see birds and was not disappointed.

Matthew Falk

2023-10

Incredible visit, very helpful staff, visitors center is one of the best we’ve visited. They recommended a tour route for us, including points of interest which were more active in September. We got some items in the gift shop before we left. We were able to see many different birds and turtles from our vehicle! Northern Harrier, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swan, Sandhill Crane, Lessor Yellowlegs, Bald Eagles, and much more in just one visit! Great photography opportunity, bring your telephoto lens and binoculars!

Paul D

2023-11

Rustic campground is open in the fall. Put toilets and fire rings and picnic tables. Wonderful wildlife viewing area. Huge focus of Sandhill Cranes pass through.Restrooms: Put toilets at rest/camp ground area. Modern toilets in the visitor center.Picnic area: Rest area has fire rings and picnic tables. Overnight CA camping in the fall.

Christopher Heille

2023-06

2022 marks the 15th consecutive fall we have visited Crex Meadows to watch the Sand Hill Cranes that stop here on their migration. This is without a doubt the best viewing experience to be had. While Kearney NE offers better amenities and paved roads along the Platte River, Crex has well maintained dirt roads, throughout the more than 30,000 acre refuge that allow a closer view of these elusive birds. Be sure to check in at the visitor center for an update on the best viewing locations and time your trip for either sun-up or sun-down

Rebecca Froehlich

2023-06

Beautiful place to spot wildlife, perfect for a day trip from the Twin Cities. There is an extensive self-guided tour and some trails for hiking as well. Don't forget the bugspray in summer!

Mark Rowlands

2023-06

An amazing area for wildlife where there's always something to see! We've visited many times over the years and never been disappointed. Great for wildfowl, waders, raptors and so much more! Be sure to check out the visitor centre where the friendly staff can provide you with info on latest sightings and local info.

Paul Connors

2023-11

Amazing wildlife refuge! Saw Sandhill "Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, Snow Geese and Canada Geese and multitudes of mushrooms.

Bonnie Wilcox

2023-06

A gem of a state wildlife area. We visited at the peak of a warm day, so not many birds to see. But the August wildflowers were so beautiful; lots of yellows and purple!

Evan Pak

2024-05

Amazing wildlife viewing, great scenery, and helpful staff. There's nothing to not like here.

Kienan Mick

2019-06

An amazing place to see wildlife any time of year, but in particular nesting and migrating seasons are special.

J Lynch

2019-06

Abundant wildlife without a lot of human visitors. Many wonderful opportunities to observe and photograph birds, animals, and plants. I recommend a stop by the Crex Wildlife Education and Visitor Center. Thanks to the volunteers that staff the center!

Paul Dornfeld

2023-11

Saw lots of Sandhill Cranes and Swans. Camped at the small rustic campground.

Tom Bjugstad

2023-11

Very interesting and beautiful area. Saw a small whitetail buck and much more. Very nice visitors center.

Aaron Hyde

2023-07

A nice drive through on dirt roads, stay in your car if you want, experience. Unique for a wildlife area, but because you're driving on a dike and the meadows are low-lying it works well.

Charles Isotalo

2024-03

I want to see this in summer time. Beautiful country!

Jamie Ver Hagen

2019-06

I love wildlife and I would love to be part of this organization soon but don’t have the money for the fees. Someday soon hopefully. The events sound like so much fun. Jamie

Roll Bot

2018-06

Bear(up a tree), deer, great blue heron are the highlights from the morning

EdthaCow

2023-06

Great place. Even if you just drive around through it, it is a good snapshot of the Midwest landscape. If you like birds this is the place to go. The further you go in the better it gets.

Alice Mae Guckin

2015-06

Great place for viewing wild life - especially spring & fall. I really enjoyed seeing all the sand hill cranes landing at sunset & look forward to that again this coming fall. Visitor center is informative and there are good short films to watch. The staff are friendly and competent and willing to answer questions. I am surprised it is not better known as it is a splendid resource for the region.

Shirley Haden

2019-06

I love to go out to Crex Meadows. It's a great place to have an old fashioned "Sunday drive" any day of the week. There is abundant wildlife, waterfowl, turtles and once in awhile a snake. We love to go out and wind down. There is also a nice visitors center on the edge of Grantsberg.

George Fishbach

2022-06

Crex Meadows is a pleasant experience anytime of year as it is relatively close for many people and one can feel so far away from the busy daily life. There’s abundant wildlife and in the spring and fall when Sandhill Cranes amass during their migration it is an experience not to be missed.

Marilynn Miller

2021-06

Loved this place. We came in June to bird and saw/heard 50 different species over two days as well as wildflowers, butterflies, a bear, a Blanding's turtle (endangered species), and lots of young cygnets, goslings, and crane colts. We ran into very few people (during the week) and it was so quiet and peaceful. It rained on day 2 but birding from the car was still possible. Be sure to pick up maps at the headquarters if they're open. This is pretty strictly a driving tour with opportunities to pull over in numerous places and bird/gaze from the roadside. Bring bug spray. We used it and killed a few mosquitoes in the car but didn't mind over much. The only bathrooms are at the headquarters (if open) and the rest area (pit toilets, no running water or disinfectant hand gel) positioned approximately 'mid-tour'.

Thomas Green

2022-06

Very beautiful. We went to see the sandhill cranes in early November. They fly in at sunset. The visitor's center is worth the visit.

David Cahoy

2019-06

Fantastic displays to show our grandchildren and great explanation of the Crex area. Front desk person a great help and notes of what is going on in the Meadows always up to date. Liked to take photo standing next to wolf. Good video explaining the area.

Brian O

2020-06

Very peaceful. Some waterfowl around, but pretty quiet.

j Stewart

2019-06

The wildlife of the area was wonderful to observe. Trumpeter swan, beaver, loons, and Canadian geese with goslings were all on display. White tailed deer were also seen. It was worth the trip if you are fascinated by wildlife.

Gregg Severson

2017-06

Great wildlife area over a large area. Great for birding. Known for Sandhill Cranes, especially in the fall. Many gravel roads throughout for access. A few hiking trails, but most birding is done by car.

excel lent

2018-06

We were there over Saturday and Sunday in December 2017 for a Wisconsin DNR wolf tracking and ecology seminar. Excellent training with speakers Jane W. and Steve H. Facilities are comfortable. There are several animal and bird displays with a panorama on the wall. We took a short drive through the sedge marshes and wetlands. There are 30,000 acres with a large refuge area. No humans allowed. Saw deer and bald eagle. Black bear, wolf are common as judged by experienced trackers. Coming back in summer to explore further. Highly recommend for those interested in getting away to nature.

Linnea Aamold

2017-06

It's one of those places where you could for hours to take wonderful photos and just get away from life and its like home to me! Everytime you come out here it's like quite and wildlife living it's amazing I love it out here! Fall time is an awesome time to go out there and take photos

Alexandra McNeill

2017-06

Chose a really hot day... wanted to keep the windows down to engage with nature more, but the heat was too much! The auto tour takes ages because you have to drive so slowly. Saw turtles, dragonflies, birds (early June)