Ogallala is located in Keith County (of which it is the county seat), 50 miles west of North Platte between Brule and Paxton along Highway 30 on the banks of the South Platte River near Lake C.W. McConaughy.
Ogallala is the southern terminus of the state's first scenic byway Hwy 26/92.
Ogallala derives its name from the Oglala Band of the Dakota Sioux Indians.
The Ogallala Rubber Chicken Festival is an annual attraction.