Most people think of glamping as glamorous camping. Chris Peterson says glamping at Kimberly Creek Retreat near Ashland, Nebraska, is something more. It’s an experience.
All the cabins and domes have heat, air-conditioning, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and luxurious beds. But Kimberly Creek also has trails to hike, birds to watch, legends to learn, treasures to find, an escape room to master, and a creek to explore.
They even offer fancy S’mores in waffle cones.
Kimberly Creek was born in 2018 when Peterson decided to do something with the land his family had enjoyed for years. That’s when he met Mike Kennedy.
“Mike was the younger man with the drive,” Peterson says, “and he wanted to build.”
Together, they mapped out a place where guests could experience nature while enjoying the comforts of a nice hotel. Lots of hard work followed with research, zoning, and infrastructure.
The first cabin arrived as an empty shell. Peterson and Kennedy designed and built the interior, added a deck, and named it The Homestead. Peterson’s wife insisted on a modern bathroom with a private indoor shower, which became the standard.
Next, they ordered glamping pods designed in Norway and shipped from Missouri. The Nook and The Cranny came finished and ready to go, each with a snug bathroom, kitchen, and living space.
They kept looking for ideas and soon added the first two geodomes in Nebraska. The domes arrived in kits like a giant Tinker Toy set, which made construction and design interesting. The result is elegant.
Peterson and Kennedy wanted Kimberly Creek to be a place families enjoyed together. So, they created a scavenger hunt with small children in mind.
“It’s a pretty easy hunt,” Peterson says, “but Mom can send the kids out to look for clues while she gets settled and unpacked.”
If that isn’t enough to keep kids busy, the retreat also has a children’s playhouse and a natural playground with logs to walk and spots to explore.
A recent addition is the escape room based on local legend Dynamite Pete which comes with a complete history and a mystery to solve.
One perk of Kimberly Creek is the lack of screens. Although every cabin has electricity and plumbing, they don’t come with Wi-Fi. That’s done on purpose, so guests have a true getaway. But Peterson and Kennedy knew they needed something to introduce teenagers to the great outdoors.
“They can use their phones,” Peterson said, “so we created a scavenger hunt that uses GPS coordinates.” This hunt is based on a real-life UFO experience by an Ashland police officer in 1967.
The focus is on the experience: a family weekend, a private retreat, a friends’ getaway, or a corporate group looking for team-building time.
“We don’t promote ourselves as a wedding venue,” Peterson says, “but we’ve had some small weddings here.” Families rent out the whole retreat, so everyone has a place to stay. Then they have an outdoor ceremony under the pavilion or along Pawnee Creek.
After welcoming its first guest in 2019, the retreat has continued to grow. Today it features eleven units with decks and fire pits. Several cabins have a private hot tub surrounded by twinkle lights and cedar trees.
The largest unit includes three private bedrooms and a blue-tooth-enabled jukebox in the living room. The towel rack is a motorcycle.
When it’s time to eat, guests can bring groceries or visit a nearby steakhouse. They can also order the handy glamping meals available at the retreat. Don’t forget the fancy S’mores.
If you are looking for a unique experience with family or friends – or if you want a private retreat – consider this short drive from Papillion.
It is easy to find your place at Kimberly Creek. You can visit the website to reserve online or give them a call. You can even purchase a gift certificate.
When you arrive, someone will personally greet you at your cabin and ensure you have everything you need. At the end of your stay, remember to add your name to one of the picket fences around the retreat. You’ll want to revisit that spot every time you come back to glamp again.
kimberlycreekretreat.com | 531.500.8001
Most people think of glamping as glamorous camping. Glamping at Kimberly Creek Retreat is something more. It’s an experience.