Discover Kimball County

When searching for hotels in Kimball County, you can start planning your trip around the places and activities that interest you. Destinations range from a historic waterworks structure and the Lincoln Highway to Panorama Point, museums, golf, and ranch visits. The Kimball-Banner County Fair also offers a distinct focus. Deciding which of these stops you’d like to plan in more detail gives your search for a suitable destination a clear starting point.

Finding your way between Kimball and Oliver Reservoir

The Flumes, also known as the Maginnis Irrigation Aqueduct, are located about five miles west of Kimball on Highway 30, between the city limits and Oliver Reservoir. The structure was built in 1912 as part of the Bay State Irrigation Canal to carry water across difficult terrain. Check local access conditions before planning a visit.

Oliver Reservoir has 48 campsites for tents and RVs or other vehicles. Sites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration takes place upon arrival. If you’d like to camp there, check availability and current rules before your trip. This lets you include the overnight option in your plans without treating it as a reservation secured in advance.

Roads and scenery

Interstate 80 crosses Kimball County from east to west. The Lincoln Highway is another point of reference: it passes through all three communities in the county and was designated a National Scenic Byway in Nebraska in 2021. If the Lincoln Highway is the theme of your trip, you can combine its route through the communities with other visits in the county.

Panorama Point is in the far southwest of Kimball County, at 5,424 feet above sea level. On a clear day, it offers views of the Rocky Mountains to the southwest.

History and culture in Kimball

The Plains Historical Society Museum showcases Kimball’s history. Fraternal Hall was built in 1904, and the former Kimball High School was built in 1920. These two buildings connect a visit to the museum with the town’s architectural history. Check visitor arrangements before including the museum in your plans. Kimball is also home to the restored, volunteer-operated Goodhand Theater. It’s another cultural venue to consider alongside the historic sites.

For a trip centered on an event, consider the Kimball-Banner County Fair. It is a longstanding tradition that brings together community, agriculture, and family entertainment. The program includes livestock, horse, dog, and small-animal shows. The 4-H Exhibit Hall hosts cooking and other exhibits on homemaking topics. Because this is an annual event, check the dates and the program for that year before your trip.

Activities for different interests

Four Winds Golf Club offers a championship golf course, a driving range, and practice putting greens. If golf is important to your trip, these different facilities may help shape your plans. Check that the course is open before playing.

At the working EJE Ranch in Kimball County, visitors can explore the High Plains shortgrass prairie and learn firsthand about this sensitive ecosystem. Check current visitor arrangements in advance. Another option with a specific date is the Antelope Stampede: The 2025 event route ran from Kimball, Nebraska, to Colorado, on to Wyoming, and back to Nebraska. If this event is relevant to your trip planning, check whether a current edition is taking place and what arrangements apply.

Discover more destinations: Kimball, Cedar County, Washington County, Phelps County, Colfax County, Jefferson County, Buffalo County, Holt County.

For the broader travel overview: Nebraska.