Known as both the Sunflower State and the Wheat State, Kansas offers plenty of options for campers. You can stay in its biggest city of Wichita in southern Kansas or head to Overland Park in the extended Kansas City metro area. The next biggest city outside of the KC suburbs is Topeka, the state's capital.
If you're planning a trip and creating your budget, you'll want to look at the cost of Kansas RV rentals. Travel trailers are among the most popular options for travelers. You can snag a newer model or one that is only a couple of years old and has lots of interior space for around $150 or less per night.
If you need more room or don't have a vehicle that can tow a travel trailer, consider a Class A motorhome. Jayco and models from other brands can sleep as many as eight guests; this means you can keep an eye on your kids from the driver's seat. Most Class A rentals in Kansas are available for $200 to $250 per night. There are also some pop-up campers that you can rent for a weekend or a full week. Generally costing $100 or less per night, these models conveniently have beds on each end. Kansas pop-up campers are easy to set up, too.
Home to roughly 400,000 people, Wichita is a popular destination for tourists. Downtown has hosted the Wichita River Festival every year since 1972 and also has a flea market where you can shop for bargains. You may also want to grab tickets to see the Wichita Thunder minor league hockey team play in Intrust Bank Arena.
Overland Park is the second-most populated city in Kansas and the Kansas City metro area. This booming suburb is known for its beautiful sunflowers (many of which grow wild) and big-city attractions such as the Overland Park Convention Center. Families love the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead that has a camp where you can mine for gold near a wagon that offers daily hayrides and a petting zoo filled with animals.
While Kansas City, MO, is the largest city in the KC metro area, there's another Kansas City just over the border in Kansas. Known as KCK, Kansas City is easy to reach via the I-35, which runs north and south, and I-70, which runs east to west. The Kansas Speedway is just outside the city and serves as a popular track on the NASCAR circuit. It hosts two NASCAR races every year.
You'll find Olathe nestled on the southwest corner of the KC metro area. Since it's somewhat separate from the urban center, Olathe has a charming look and feel that appeals to many visitors. Shawnee Mission Park lets you get away from the crowds and find the perfect fishing hole. Olathe also boasts historic sites such as the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop Farm.
No matter where your Kansas journey takes you, you'll find yourself close to state parks. If you're traveling through the college town of Lawrence, stop by Clinton State Park. The Clinton Reservoir is one of the best places to fish and enjoy the water, but the park also has a large trail system for hiking and biking.
Headed to the rural southeastern end of the state? Rolling hills and beautiful scenery will greet you at the Cross Timbers State Park, which dates back to Native American times. You might see different types of deer and squirrels along with other wild animals here.
Named for the former president, Eisenhower State Park spans more than 1,700 acres in Osage County. In addition to its disc golf course and fishing pond just for kids, this park offers horseback riding and hiking trails. Roughly two hours south of Eisenhower State Park, you'll find El Dorado State Park, which spreads across 100 miles of shoreline and 2,000 acres of land. This park has hitching posts and trails for horseback riders, too.
Other parks to visit include Meade County's Meade State Park with a large fishing lakes and multiple hiking trails and Tuttle Creek Lake near Manhattan. This park has a disc golf course with 18 holes and a shooting range that is open a few times a month. There's also Russell County's Wilson State Park, which is home to Wilson Reservoir for fishing and boating. The park has a campground and a swimming beach along with a marina that has several boat ramps.
Deer Creek Valley RV Park ranks as one of our top campgrounds in Kansas. Located in Topeka, it has a fenced area for pets and a swimming pool along with full hookups. Many guests like that it's within walking distance of Topeka attractions.
If you're looking for something in rural northwest Kansas, try the Goodland KOA. This RV park in Goodland offers all of the KOA amenities that you need. The dog park is open daily and close to a miniature golf course. You can cool off in the swimming pool or sign up for any of the daily activities designed for kids and adults.
Another great campground in rural Kansas, Triple J RV Park in Russell is open all year and has loads of open spaces. All of the spots are spacious and can accommodate travel trailers and RVs of all sizes. It's not far from Fossil Lake, which ranks as one of the Sunflower State's top fishing spots.
If visiting Fort Leavenworth is on your list, Suncatcher Lake RV Park is just a short drive away in Leavenworth. This park surrounds a large lake for those who love swimming and fishing. As the campground only has 23 sites, you should call and reserve a spot before you visit.
Kansas has RV dump stations located in big cities and smaller towns all across the state. For example, the Maple Hill Truck Stop near Topeka caters to travelers and semi-drivers with an onsite restaurant and a small shop. Though the truck stop does charge for dump station access, it's open 24/7.
Another great option is the Goodland Travel Information Center. Here, you can learn more about attractions in the state and get free maps. It is only open during standard business hours, but you can use the dump station for free. There are other dump stations found in many campgrounds and RV parks, too.
Kansas Speedway Hollywood Casino 400: Feel the wind in your hair as cars fly by at this race in October. It takes place during the final 10 races that decide on the champion of the year.
Firewater Music Festival: Held every October, this is one of Kansas City's biggest music festivals. You'll see dozens of artists taking the stage and people dancing in the crowd.
Oktoberfest: Kansas City hosts a massive Oktoberfest celebration during the first week of October. There is live music and beer gardens as well as fun activities.
Wichita Riverfest: October also brings Riverfest to the Sunflower State. This festival focuses on country and southern rock music but often has some folk singers, too.
Tallgrass Film Festival: Movie buffs flock to Wichita for the Tallgrass Film Festival in October. Not only do you have the chance to watch films, but there are often discussions with the makers and events where you can meet the actors and directors.
Kansas State Fair: The Kansas State Fair takes place every year in September in Hutchinson. You'll find livestock shows and other types of shows along with fair food and fun rides.
Take time out of your busy schedule to visit some of the top landmarks and monuments in Kansas such as the Hollenberg Pony Express Station in Hanover. This landmark sits on the spot where Pony Express riders would stop on their way west. It has a museum with tours that show you some of the things those riders carried with them. Outside is a small hiking trail.
Fort Leavenworth is another popular Kansas landmark that pays homage to the former settlement of the same name. Dozens of people lived here from 1827 on and helped defend the region. You need to show ID to visit and get permission to tour the fort as the military still uses it. Fort Leavenworth has a church where you can attend service and multiple restaurants.
History buffs like the sites at the Constitution Hall State Historic Site in Lecompton. In 1857, a group of locals met at this site to protest slavery. Their meetings led to the state constitution banning slavery. Inside the main meeting hall is a museum devoted to the history of Kansas and the abolitionists who once lived in the state.
At the Sumner Elementary School in Topeka, you have the chance to see the setting for the landmark Brown vs. The Board of Education case. Though the school is no longer active, there are plans to turn it into a community center. There's also the Red Rocks State Historic Site where William Allen White lived while serving as a presidential advisor. His former home is open to the public and hosts Sundays on the Porch, which are free events that take place on his former porch.
On average expect to pay $150 per night in Kansas.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Kansas?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Kansas from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Kansas?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in Kansas?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in Kansas.