Kimball, Minnesota: a visitor's guide

Kimball is a small city in Stearns County, central Minnesota, about 18 miles southwest of St. Cloud. It had 799 residents at the 2020 census and is part of the St. Cloud metropolitan area. It is home to the Powder Ridge ski area and Kimball Golf Club.

Quick facts

County

Stearns County, Minnesota

Population

799 (2020 census)

Area

1.51 square miles

Main roads

State Highways 15, 24 and 55

ZIP code

55353

Area code

320

Nearest city

St. Cloud, about 18 miles northeast

History and name

A post office called Kimball has been open since 1887. When the railroad came through, the nearby settlement of Maine Prairie moved to the tracks, and the new town took the name of Frye Kimball, an early settler. The 1908 Kimball City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Things to do

Powder Ridge (winter)

Powder Ridge is a family-owned ski and snowboard area that has operated in Kimball since 1954. It has about 300 feet of vertical, several chairlifts and terrain parks, and a snow-tubing hill, and its runs are lit for night skiing. Run and lift counts vary between listings, so check powderridge.com for the current trail map, conditions and tickets.

Golf (summer)

Kimball Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course just outside town; book tee times on its website or call (320) 398-2285. It began in 1966 as an idea between the town banker, Elwood Erickson, and Luvern Hinz, who ran the bowling alley and had never golfed. They first eyed the Fogarty land by the ball park but gave up when they were told they would need a bridge over the Soo Line tracks, and bought a 160-acre farm instead. The club opened with nine holes in 1968 and went to 18 in 1997. Six more courses are within about 21 miles: see golf courses near Kimball.

Weather and local news

• Weather: the National Weather Service forecast for Kimball gives the official seven-day outlook and any warnings.
• Local news: the Tri-County News covers Kimball and the surrounding towns.

Looking for Kimball, Nebraska instead? See our guide to Kimball, Nebraska.