Renting an RV in Kansas
At first glance, the wide-open spaces of Kansas may seem to be the same, after the same, after more of the same. But take a closer look, and you’ll find that among the vast prairies and ranches of Kansas, there are corners of the state you might never expect to see. It’s all out there waiting to be discovered, from strange fungal rock formations to weathered ancient seabeds and everything in between.
Let’s take a look at how renting an RV can help visitors and Kansas natives alike uncover every hidden treasure—and pinpoint where some of the best gems are to be found.
But why go camping one park at a time when a rented RV can help you chart your dream route through the state? With an RV as your portable campsite, you can wake up in one beautiful area and set up camp somewhere entirely new—it’s all up to you.
10 Surprising Places to See in Kansas in Your Rental RV
World-class parks. Roadside attractions. Natural wonders. Picturesque frontier towns. Kansas has a little something for everybody—if you know where to look. Here are ten of the top destinations for nature enthusiasts and RV campers from across the state.
As part of the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, you’re a quick shot by RV to several local campgrounds and RV parks where you can rest for the evening. Swope Park in Cottonwood Falls offers a small, 5-site campsite with full electric and water hookups. They’re on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to get in early to grab your spot.
Learn more about Cottonwood Falls.
Learn more about Monument Rocks (Chalk Pyramids).
There’s no place better for good bird watching in Kansas than the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, a nearly 20,000-acre preserve that has been meticulously planned and cared for by the state of Kansas. Dams redirected water to the site to create five large pools of water, and later additions of pumps have made it possible for naturalists in the area to maintain ideal habitats for all manner of waterfowl, from mallards to blue-winged teals.
The area itself only offers bike-in camping, but it’s free if you’re looking to park the RV in one of the area’s many parking lots and rough it for the night. If you’d prefer to plug in for the night, nearby Cottonwood Grove RV Park offers 14 sites with full hookups.
Learn more about Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.
If you’re bringing a bigger group along for the ride, the park also offers shelter reservations that can be booked in advance. Note that the park closes at 10:00 pm, and make plans at a nearby RV resort like Air Capital RV Park or the local K and R RV Park.
Learn more about Sedgwick County Park.
Why take an RV out on the road if you can’t really take it into the elements? At the Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area, a seasonably passable river crossing invites intrepid travelers to drive straight over the river. Those who do will be rewarded with access to Deep Creek Waterfall, the crown jewel of the area. It’s a perfect spot for some high-intensity hiking along the sides of the creek, and also makes for good catfishing.
The Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area is located just outside of Manhattan, Kansas, a destination in its own right. Make a day of visiting the falls, then head into town to visit the Sunset Zoo and Flint Hills Discovery Center. This route will put you in close distance to Tuttle Creek State Park, where you can reserve full-hookup RV campsites.
Learn more about Deep Creek Waterfall.
The grounds have free admission on Tuesdays but offer a very reasonable $3 entry fee, which is lowered to $1 for kids 6-12. Bringing younger ones than that? They’re in for free! Self-guided tours are included with admission, but guided tours are available for an additional $10 per person. With golf cart tours on some days of the week, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens make for an exciting and accessible destination.
Learn more about Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
If there’s a spiritual heart of Kansas, it’s Kanopolis State Park. Located smack-dab in the middle of the state in Marquette, Kanopolis is the perfect site for an RV camping trip. It was the first state park ever created in Kansas, and today hosts thousands of visitors on account of its rocky bluffs, wooded trails, and good fishing on the Kanopolis Reservoir. Langley Point Swimming Beach makes the reservoir a great place for a day on the water.
Down at Langley Point, there’s an RV-friendly campground with 41 electric sites, 31 electric and water sites, and a further 16 sites that also have sewer hookups. There are another 45 RV sites at Horsethief, as well, so there’s no shortage of places to set up and enjoy everything Kanopolis State Park has to offer.
Learn more about Kanopolis State Park.
Learn more about Lake Scott State Park.
It’s not often that you come across state parks that are only five acres wide, but it’s also uncommon to find a giant rock that looks just like a mushroom growing out of the earth. Mushroom Rock State Park is defined by the rocky formations dotting the landscape, which are natural concretions of sandstone and sedimentary rock.
Mushroom Rock State Park is located just six miles from Kanopolis State Park. If you’re planning to set up camp at of Kanopolis’ many RV-friendly sites, Mushroom Rock is an easy diversion when traveling by RV—one you’re sure not to forget anytime soon.
Learn more about Mushroom Rock State Park.
In Sylvan Grove, KS, the 9,000-acre Wilson Reservoir lies at the heart of Wilson State Park, widely regarded to be one of the most beautiful destinations in Kansas. The Smoky Hills make for a hilly standout from the greater Kansas prairie, and make this park a true destination for mountain bikers looking for a challenge. Prefer to walk? Take a more leisurely hike down the one-mile, paved Cedar Trail.
Of course, the reservoir itself is the main attraction at Wilson State Park. Calm waters and connected waterways are perfect for a peaceful day of kayaking, and the fishing can’t be beaten. Between the Hell Creek and Otoe areas of the park, there are 126 RV-friendly campsites with varying degrees of hookups so you can find the perfect spot to park for the evening with electricity, water, and even sewage hookups.
Learn more about Wilson State Park.
Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas. If luxury is your goal, you can’t do better than Deer Creek Valley in the state capital. There’s free wi-fi and cable throughout the park. There are also wood patios to make you feel at home and even a fenced-in dog park for your four-legged campers.
Covered Wagon RV Resort in Abilene, Kansas. Need a stop with on-site laundry services? Covered Wagon offers a place to rest, clean some clothes, and take a dip by the pool. It’s also located just down the road from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library.
Air Capital RV Park in Wichita, Kansas. This unique RV park is less than 10 minutes away from the KS Star Casino, and also puts you within walking distance of over a dozen restaurants. For a little taste of downtown as part of your outdoor Kansas adventure, Air Capital is a great spot.
There are also campgrounds near many of the destinations you’ll want to visit across the state. Good Sam offers a full list.
One unique thing you may see advertised at RV parks and campgrounds around Kansas are storm shelters.
It’s no mistake that many an Americans associate Kansas with tornadoes that fling farmgirls to wonderful, far-off lands where they have an epic journey back to their home; the threat of large-scale thunderstorms and twisters is very real on the flat land of Kansas.
Even though you’ll be traveling via RV, keep an eye out for special mention of storm shelters along your way if you want to be secure no matter the forecast.
If you’re looking to boondock along your journey, Kansas does offer some notable opportunities to set up camp for free off the beaten path.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism maintains 40 fishing lakes across the state, some sitting on as many as 300 acres of land. There aren’t any facilities at these spots beyond basic pit toilets, but you are allowed to camp without charge near these lakes for up to 14 days.