Outdoor Activities ...
As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).
When in Nelson, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Nelson and the surrounding area.
- Weather ...
- Before heading outdoors, you should check the weather:
- The National Weather Service forecast for Nelson
- Astronomy & Satellites ...
- Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
- To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Nelson:
- 45.886176, -95.265398
- Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
- The Heavens-Above Website, centered on Nelson
- Bird Watching ...
- We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
- The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Douglas County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
- eBird sighting report for Douglas County
- Since Nelson is near Todd County and also Pope County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
- eBird sighting report for Todd County
- eBird sighting report for Pope County
- Waymarking ...
- Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
- Waymark.com
Communities Also Named Nelson ...
We found 52 communities that share the name Nelson.
Within Minnesota, the name Nelson is unique.
Beyond Minnesota, we know of another 52 communities that are located throughout in the United States and Canada. Of these 52 communities, 49 are located in the United States and three are in Canada.
- Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
- Alabama
- Chambers County
- This Nelson is located in Chambers County and lies 1,047 miles [1,685 km]<1> to the south southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chambers County community of Nelson.
- Mobile County
- This Nelson is located in Mobile County and lies 1,135 miles [1,826.6 km] to the south southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mobile County community of Nelson.
- Shelby County
- This Nelson is located in Shelby County and lies 988 miles [1,590 km] to the south southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Shelby County community of Nelson.
- Arizona
- Pima County
- This Nelson is located in Pima County and lies 1,259 miles [2,026.2 km]<1> to the southwest of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pima County community of Nelson.
- Yavapai County
- This Nelson is located in Yavapai County and lies 1,181 miles [1,900.6 km] to the west southwest of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Yavapai County community of Nelson.
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- This Nelson lies 1,049 miles [1,688.2 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Clearwater County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Idaho community of Nelson [Clearwater County].
- Oneida County
- This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Idaho community of Nelson [Oneida County].
- Shoshone County
- This community is historic and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Idaho community of Nelson [Shoshone County].
- Illinois
- Iroquois County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Illinois community of Nelson [Iroquois County].
- Lee County
- This Nelson is located in Lee County and lies 398 miles [640.5 km]<1> to the southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lee County community of Nelson.
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Cloud County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Nelson [Cloud County].
- Crawford County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Nelson [Crawford County].
- Kentucky
- Clark County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kentucky community of Nelson [Clark County].
- Muhlenberg County
- This Nelson is located in Muhlenberg County and lies 726 miles [1,168.4 km]<1> to the southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Muhlenberg County community of Nelson.
- Wolfe County
- This Nelson is located in Wolfe County and lies 825 miles [1,327.7 km] to the southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wolfe County community of Nelson.
- Louisiana
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Charles County
- This Nelson is located in Charles County and lies 1,055 miles [1,697.9 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Charles County community of Nelson.
- Somerset County
- This Nelson is located in Somerset County and lies 1,133 miles [1,823.4 km] to the east southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Somerset County community of Nelson.
- Michigan
- Cheboygan County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Michigan community of Nelson [Cheboygan County].
- Saginaw County
- This Nelson is located in Saginaw County and lies 569 miles [915.7 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Saginaw County community of Nelson.
- Missouri
- Montana
- Fergus County
- This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Montana community of Nelson [Fergus County].
- Lewis and Clark County
- This Nelson is located in Lewis and Clark County and lies 789 miles [1,269.8 km]<1> to the west of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lewis and Clark County community of Nelson.
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Madison County
- This Nelson is located in Madison County and lies 980 miles [1,577.2 km]<1> to the east of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Madison County community of Nelson.
- Steuben County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the New York community of Nelson [Steuben County].
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Morgan County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Ohio community of Nelson [Morgan County].
- Portage County
- This Nelson is located in Portage County and lies 776 miles [1,248.9 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Portage County community of Nelson.
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- This Nelson lies 776 miles [1,248.9 km]<1> to the east of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Mecklenburg County
- This Nelson is located in Mecklenburg County and lies 1,070 miles [1,722 km]<1> to the east southeast of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Mecklenburg County community of Nelson.
- York County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Virginia community of Nelson [York County].
- Washington
- Kittitas County
- This Nelson is located in Kittitas County and lies 1,222 miles [1,966.6 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Nelson that is located in Douglas County.
- For more information, please visit our profile page for the Kittitas County community of Nelson.
- Skamania County
- We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Nelson [Skamania County].
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Alabama
Curious and Interesting Names Near Nelson ...
As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.
- Farwell
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest) - Grove Lake
(19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grove Lake have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grove Lake
- Grove Lake is located in Pope County
- Leaf Valley
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Leaf Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Leaf Valley
- Leaf Valley is located in Douglas County
- Little Sauk
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Little Sauk have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Little Sauk
- Little Sauk is located in Todd County
- Long Beach
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Long Beach have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Beach
- Long Beach is located in Pope County
- Population from the 2020 Census: 417 people
- Long Prairie
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Long Prairie have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Long Prairie
- Long Prairie is located in Todd County
- Population from the 2020 Census: 3,297 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Long Prairie <5>
- Miltona
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Miltona have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Miltona
- Miltona is located in Douglas County
- Population from the 2020 Census: 425 people
- Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Miltona <5>
- Rose City
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the north) - Round Prairie
(18 miles [29 km] to the east)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Round Prairie have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Round Prairie
- Round Prairie is located in Todd County
- Spruce Center
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)- Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Spruce Center have been provided by the GNIS.<4> The coordinates still need to be verified.
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Spruce Center
- Spruce Center is located in Douglas County
How Far From Nelson to ...
We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers, Almanacs & Directories that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a city such as Nelson to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Nelson and extending to:
- Alexandria, which is the Seat of Douglas County, lies just to the West.
- Saint Paul, which is the State Capital of Minnesota, lies 123 miles [197.9 km]<1> to the east southeast (ESE). If you could drive a straight line from Nelson to Saint Paul, with an average speed<6>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take about two hours to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 7 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 5 days.
- The White House (Washington, DC) is 1,044 miles [1,680.2 km] to the east southeast (ESE). Driving would take over two days, a buggy would take 41 days and walking would take 60 days.
- The shortest distance<7> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,239 miles [10,040.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>
- The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,997 miles [11,260.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>
- The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,918 miles [7,914.8 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<10>
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Nelson. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Douglas County: www.co.douglas.mn.us/
The official website for State of Minnesota: https://mn.gov/
Footnotes ...
| <1> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Nelson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Nelson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 45.8862, Longitude: -95.2654 In this case, the coordinates for Nelson have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). |
| <2> | If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer. Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Rock Creek to see Pete ... Rock Creek is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name. Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time. Also keep in mind that Nelson could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out. |
| <3> | We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Nelson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required. |
| <5> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <6> | While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day. |
| <7> | The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Nelson to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East. |
| <8> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 319.728 degrees. |
| <9> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 317.91 degrees. |
| <10> | The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 311.512 degrees. |