RV Rental Topeka, KS

Topeka, Kansas RV Rentals

There’s so much to see in Kansas, specifically within the city of Topeka. As the state capital, Topeka, Kansas is home to historical sites that set the stage for the Civil War, majestic natural wonders throughout the Flint Hills, and cool cultural destinations, too. 

If you’re looking for a way to explore all that this area offers, Topeka RV rentals provide you with a comfortable and convenient way to see all the sights within this Kansas city, all while camping within some of the region's best natural destinations.

Whether you’re looking to explore landmarks important to American history, step back in time to discover life in the Plains, or get active outdoors among trails, lakes, and the rolling hills of Topeka, it’s all possible. Even better, Topeka is a great year-round destination thanks to its mild, warm weather no matter the season. RV rentals in Topeka will provide you with everything you could want while vacationing, from sightseeing to relaxing to adventure. 

Popular RV Destinations in Topeka

Lake Shawnee

Lake Shawnee is a destination that combines outdoor fun with a bit of cool history. This manmade lake was built between 1935 and 1939 as a Work Progress Administration (WPA) project, giving thousands in the Topeka area jobs during the Great Depression. Today, it’s a central spot within the city, providing a scenic place to boat, fish, and swim — and so much more.

At Lake Shawnee, you can enjoy all kinds of different water sports and activities; the lake is surrounded by amenities and facilities, including gorgeous gardens and large, sprawling open areas. You can rent a boat at the marina, play volleyball along the shoreline, or even enjoy the swimming beach and water slide. There are campgrounds dotted around the lake too, making it an excellent place to park your RV while you’re in town.

Gage Park

As one of the largest parks in the city, Topeka’s Gage Park is a must-visit destination no matter your interests. Serene yet full of activities, there’s a lot to do no matter your age or what you like — and it’s a fantastic place for individuals as well as families. At Gage Park, you’ll find 160 acres of space to explore.

Gage Park is where you’ll find popular attractions like the Topeka Zoo, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, and the Reinisch Rose Garden. There’s even a miniature train, an outdoor theater, and an outdoor rainforest you can explore. Whether you’re looking to spend a day outdoors or have an interest in any of these awesome attractions, you can spend multiple days in town right at this fun-filled park.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

Brown v. Board of Education is one of the most momentous legal decisions in U.S. history, and it all started right in Topeka. Today, you can visit the school that made history — and the site of successful segregation that happened afterwards. The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site is located right on SE Monroe Street, the site of Monroe Elementary School.

At this historic Topeka school, you can explore the building that became desegregated after the Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. You can walk through the school and its grounds, and National Park Rangers are present to offer narrated, guided tours. In addition to the history of the site alone, the National Park Service also offers galleries and temporary exhibits throughout the year, which offer even more to see. 

Lecompton

If you have any interest in U.S. history, you’re going to want to make certain you plan to visit Lecompton while you’re RVing throughout Topeka. This city, which is located just 20 minutes outside of Topeka, was the territorial capital of Kansas from 1855 to 1861, and it’s considered both the birthplace of the Civil War and the place where “slavery began to die.” Lecomptopn may seem like a small town, but its historic importance makes it well worth driving out to see for yourself.

In Lecompton, you can visit important historical sites like the Territorial Capital Museum and Constitution Hall. In these locations, Kansas took the steps to declare itself a free territory, one where slavery wasn’t legal — and as a result, Kansas became the powderkeg that kicked off the Civil War. While in Lecompton, you can take tours, check out buildings that played critical roles during this time period, and even see the city’s famed bald eagles, if you’re lucky. 

Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site

Want to step back into time and see what life was like along the famed Oregon Trail? Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site right in Topeka allows you to do exactly that. This historic destination is a six acre site that preserves the history of Topeka’s earliest settlers — and when you set foot in this “town”, you’ll feel like you’re back in the late 1800s.

At Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site, you can live like a settler for a day, exploring Kansas in the Victorian era with sites like the Potwin Drug Store, Mulvane General Store, and historic Everest Church. You’ll get the chance to see everything from a traditional train depot to a one-room schoolhouse, and you can participate in the fun by trying authentic treats, taking part in a schoolhouse lesson, and more. When you’re ready to reenter the modern era, you can wander right over to the Ward-Meade Botanical Garden, which is located right next to Old Prairie Town.

The Evel Knievel Museum

Whether you’ve been a longtime fan of stuntman Evel Knievel or simply want to learn more about his legendary life, Topeka is home to the Evel Knievel Museum — and it’s well worth visiting. There’s nowhere else in the world where you can get up close to all of the cool memorabilia and gear Knievel used in his storied career, and it’s a rare opportunity to see some seriously cool exhibits.

At the Evel Knievel Museum, you’ll learn about Knievel’s life and career. On display, there are authentic performance outfits, the bikes used in Knievel’s famous jumps, helmets like the famed Caesars Palace helmet, and interactive displays that let you plan your own jumps, discover Knievel’s broken bones, and more. There’s even a 4D virtual reality jump experience that puts you in Evel Knievel’s seat behind the handlebars. 

Events and Entertainment in Topeka

Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally

One of the coolest events to catch in Topeka is the Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally. If you’ve never seen an array of colorful hot air balloons take to the sky before, you won’t want to miss this incredible annual celebration, which takes place in September over three days. A tradition for over 45 years, this hot air balloon event allows enthusiasts and experts to mingle, and its highlight is the morning launches that take place at Topeka’s Mount Hope Balloon Field.

If you’re in town for the Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss the nighttime balloon glow. While hot air balloons normally fly at dawn, this event takes place after the sun sets — and it gives you the rare opportunity to see hot air balloons glow in the dark, literally lighting up the sky. It’s something you really can’t see anywhere else.

Cider Days

Is there anything better than a cup of cider during the fall? The city of Topeka welcomes fall each year with exactly that during the annual Cider Days event. This event, which started in 1982, is a tradition in Kansas. It runs for two days, attracting more than 10,000 visitors and offering more than 250 different exhibits, demonstrations, food booths, live entertainment, and attractions. It’s fun for the whole family, and the centerpiece of the entire event is fresh pressed apple cider.

During Cider Days, you can try apple cider foods and treats like apple cider slushes, apple cider mini donuts, and so much more. In addition to the tasty snacks, you can also join some old-fashioned entertainment like pony rides, gunfighter and Civil War reenactments, and Native American chanting. Military bands, barbershop quartets, and bagpipe players all offer live entertainment, and you can watch traditional apple cider pressing take place while it’s all happening.

Topeka Duck Race

Here’s an event unlike any other. The Topeka Duck Race isn’t what you might think it is — there are no live ducks involved, and the race is more like a slow-moving crush of ducks drifting along — but it’s absolutely a ton of fun. Now a tradition for more than 25 years, this event takes place right at Topeka’s Lake Shawnee along the swim beach, bringing the community together to benefit local organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The Topeka Duck Race takes place in September, and it gives locals and visitors the chance to “adopt” a rubber duck (or multiple rubber ducks) for a fee. Those rubber ducks are then dropped in Lake Shawnee and they “race” or float towards the finish line. If your duck wins, you’ll get a prize; if your duck doesn’t, you still get to have fun watching the action, and your funds go towards great groups in need.

Sunflower State Games

If you love sports, you’ll want to make sure to plan your RV trip to Topeka for the month of July — that’s when the Sunflower State Games take place each year. Held over three July weekends, it’s the largest amateur multi-sport festival in all of Kansas. Nearly 7,000 athletes participate in 44 different sports, and you can join in or watch as a participant. 

During the Sunflower State Games, you’ll get the chance to compete with players of all ages,  and you can join in your sports whether you want to play alone  or as part of a team. Each year, the games grow even bigger, welcoming more athletes and more sports; it’s rapidly become something like a mini Olympic Games for Kansas athletes. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to get involved while you’re visiting the city. 

Sunflower Music Festival

You can catch some great musical acts if you visit Topeka during the summer — specifically, during the month of June when the Sunflower Music Festival is taking place. This annual concert series takes place over the last two weeks of June, and it highlights local musicians with orchestra, chamber ensemble, jazz, and student ensemble performances. Typically featuring 10 different concerts throughout the festival’s schedule, it’s a wonderful opportunity to partake in live local music for free. 

The Sunflower Music Festival came together as a way to fundraise for local music departments and organizations, and it’s now a tradition that brings high-caliber musical performances to the local public. Today, the festival even includes “Talk-Back” sessions that allow listeners to chat with musicians about their music-making, their performances, and more to garner interest in music programs.

FAQs

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals give absolutely anyone the chance to own a cozy, comfortable motorhome for a short period of time. You can rent an RV just like you’d rent a car — reserve the size, make, and model that fits your needs, then pick up your RV when you arrive in Topeka, Kansas for your vacation. It’s like owning an RV without having to make the huge initial investment. When your vacation is over, you can simply return the motorhome to the rental company, without having to worry about maintaining or performing upkeep on another vehicle.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals can vary quite a bit when it comes to price. On average, you’ll likely spend between $75 and $125 per night to rent a small camper. Larger motorhomes and full-size RVs typically run between $150 and $250 per night. Keep in mind, however, that you may be able to get a lower per-night rate if you rent for longer — week-long rentals or even longer rental periods can often net you a lower price.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Topeka?

You’ll need to be 25 years old or older in order to rent from most Topeka rental agencies. It’s just like renting a car; drivers who are younger than 25 years old may be able to rent an RV from some companies, but you’ll likely pay more. Drivers as young as 21 years old may be allowed to rent an RV, but companies tend to charge a higher per-night fee or require additional insurance to be purchased just in case.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

When you rent an RV, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage. Typically, your average auto insurance policy won’t be enough to cover you; you’ll likely need to purchase an extra short-term policy from your chosen Topeka RV rental company. For a fee, you can buy insurance that’ll ensure you’re covered while you’re behind the wheel of your borrowed motorhome. Just make sure to check with your insurance company and rental agency before you arrive so you know exactly what you need and what you’re already covered for.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

Typically, RV rental companies do require you to bring your RV back with a full tank of fuel at the end of your travels. It’s a common policy. However, the rules and requirements can vary, so make sure to check with your chosen rental company before driving off the lot. Some may allow you to return with the same amount of fuel your RV had when you picked it up (in this case, you likely won’t get a full tank when you arrive). And just about any rental company will offer to fill up the tank for you, for a fee. 

Q: Are RVs pet friendly in Topeka?

You can definitely find RV rentals that are pet-friendly in Topeka, Kansas. But it’s important to make sure you’re clear about wanting to bring your furry friends along while you’re booking your RV. While some rental companies welcome pets, others may not. And some may only allow your pets to come along for the ride if you pay a pet deposit or a higher per-night cost. Ask before you book, and you’ll be able to find the perfect fit.