Gibbon, Nebraska is in the midst of the Platte River Valley. From this valley, sand hills rise up 5 to 10 miles to either side of the river. The Platte River is a major collector for many of the streams in the area. Small portions of the community towards the northwest and north-central sections of the town are within the flood plain of the Wood River. The remainder of the town exists on a gentle grade of land that separates the Wood River from the Platte River.

The areas northeast and southwest of Gibbon transpire from the regions of dissected plains and the Platte River Valley. These Upland Plains are where tributaries of the characterized by many small, and a few large, depressions and swales.