The border where Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming meet may seem like a remote place that's not really worth visiting. But the historical marker there is a must-see for geography enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys visiting all of Nebraska's strange and wonderful monuments.
Out in the middle of a field southwest of Kimball, Nebraska is this modest marker. It's located on private property, but the landowner graciously allows travelers to visit the monument up close.
Only 10 tri-state points exist in the U.S. on dry land. Our shared point with Iowa and South Dakota, for example, is located right in the middle of the Missouri River. We also share a meeting point with Colorado and Kansas, but the marker there isn't nearly as significant as this one.
This particular point is special in that it actually changed Nebraska's border. When U.S. Astronomer and Surveyor Oliver N. Chaffee marked the spot where the three states meet in 1896, he placed it several hundred feet from where the border was intended to be.
Rather than correct the error, the border was re-drawn to match Chaffee's demarcation. The marker takes on a whole new level of significance when you consider the fact that it effectively moved Nebraska's border.
The main monument, the white stone obelisk, has been in place since 1896 and is now protected by a metal fence. The entire tri-state point has been well preserved and rehabilitated several times, including the addition of an informational plaque and the metal plate that surrounds the monument indicating the exact borders of each state.
The experience of standing in multiple states at once is always a fun one. At this location, you're also treated to some lovely and peaceful scenery. You're not likely to encounter anyone else out here - unless you count the bison and cattle, that is. Be prepared for some heavy winds out here on the unprotected prairie.
To get to the Nebraska-Colorado-Wyoming tri-state monument, you'll have to drive down some private country roads. It's recommended to plug the coordinates into your GPS rather than rely on Google Maps to guide you. When you see the windmill you'll know you're getting close.
Amazingly, the monument is located just 1.3 miles away from another significant place on Nebraska's map: the highest point in the state. You can't hike between the two because the high point is on an open bison range, but it's worth the short drive since you're already in the area. Read more about Nebraska's high point right here.
Have you ever visited the NE-CO-WY tri-state monument? Tell us all about your experience in the comments!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
