RV Rental Wichita, KS

Wichita, Kansas RV Rentals

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and is located pretty much smack dab in the middle of the country, hence its moniker as the “Heart of the Nation.” Wichita has a rich history that dates back to the early nomadic people of North America, a time when it served as a trading center and meeting place for the earliest recorded migrators. 

Wichita continued to grow as a base on the busy and often used Chisholm Trail, solidifying its status as “Cowtown” during the bustling Cattle Trade. The town’s population nearly doubled in 1918 after a large oil reserve was discovered nearby. 

This subsequently led local entrepreneurs like Lloyd Stearmand, Clyde Cessna, and Walter Beech to invest in the fledgling airplane industry. Wichita remains the largest producer of aircraft in the world, with 70 percent of the United States’ aircraft production happening here.

RV rentals in Wichita are plentiful, and they’re a fun and affordable way to see this historical and friendly city. There are lots of comfortable and modern campsites to check out with top-notch amenities like free Wi-Fi, showers, laundry, swimming pools, and more. Park your RV at a single, scenic spot, or tour around to get the full feel for the city and surrounding sights. 

Popular RV Destinations in Wichita

Keeper of the Plains

The Keeper of the Plains is an experience that’s unique to Wichita. It’s a 44-foot-tall steel sculpture that stands guard at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers in downtown Wichita. The land between the two rivers is Native American sacred ground and is also home to the Mid-America All-Indian Museum.

This regal and awe-inspiring statue was a gift to the city from the Native American and Wichitan artist Blackbear Bosin in 1974. It was meant to commemorate the United States bicentennial. A recent renovation of the sculpture and addition of the Keeper of the Plains Plaza draw visitors from all over the country to witness the nightly lighting of the fire pots that surround this noble statue. Known as “The Ring of Fire,” the pots burn brightly for 15 minutes each evening (weather and river conditions permitting) and provide an ethereal glow around the 30-foot base of the American Indian. It’s a must-see if you’re in Wichita.

B-29 Doc Hangar, Education & Visitors Center

Another unique experience to check out during your visit to Wichita is the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education & Visitors Center, which is home to one of only two airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortress aircraft left in the entire world. Doc was found abandoned and rotting in the Mojave Desert and is one of only 1,644 B-29s manufactured in Wichita during World War II. It has been lovingly and uniquely restored to flying status and serves as one of the country’s only flying museums.

When Doc is not flying, you can see it up close at the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education & Visitors Center, where you can learn all about the history of this rare airplane and also get insight into Wichita’s rich aviation heritage. This 42,000-square-foot facility is a fun, educational, and interactive experience that visitors of all ages will remember for years to come.

Botanica Wichita

For a relaxing and visually stunning outdoor experience, there’s the Wichita Botanical Gardens. Spread out over 17 acres of land, nestled in the center of the Riverside neighborhood downtown, this garden is easy to get to and will provide hours of unique and memorable flower, plant, and foliage viewing. Choose from a number of specialized tours and even a tea-tasting event to tailor your visit, or explore some of the widely varied gardens on your own.

There are more than 20 themed gardens and exhibits to choose from, like the Koch Carousel Gardens, the Butterfly Garden, the Chinese Garden of Friendship, the Shakespeare Garden, the Woodland Bird Garden, the Gene E. Spear Railroad Garden, and so much more. 

The management makes sure to keep things interesting with rotating exhibits, like “Big Bugs at Botanica” as well as various artists in residence who showcase their original works set among the plants and flowers in the gardens for added visual appeal.

Exploration Place

Exploration Place is the city’s — and the state’s — premier science center. Ideally situated on the banks of the picturesque Arkansas River, this state-of-the-art interactive exhibit inspires visitors young and old with feats of modern science and engineering. With exhibits that focus on aviation, Kansas geography, traveling, and the important and vast applications of science throughout our everyday lives, you’re sure to learn and be entertained throughout your entire visit.

Permanent exhibits include Bridging Art & Science, Creator Space, Design-Build-Fly, Kansas in Miniature, The Vanishing Cowboy, Big Mouth, KEVA: Build Your Mind, and many more. Be sure to take in a larger-than-life documentary at the Dome Theater, get some fresh air at the outdoor Exploration Park, and watch a live science show to round out your visit. Of course, kids will want to purchase their favorite souvenirs at the fun and whimsical Explore Store.

Wichita Art Museum

The Wichita Art Museum has been a visual arts fixture in the city since 1935 thanks to the bequest of Louise Caldwell Murdock and the subsequent establishment of the Roland P. Murdock Collection that is a staple of the museum. This art deco gem was designed by renowned New York architect Clarence Stein and has grown and evolved continually throughout the years. The museum houses a nationally recognized collection of American art that includes more than 10,000 pieces.

The museum also hosts a wide variety of rotating exhibits, including premier collections on loan from the Smithsonian and other prestigious museums around the world. Wichita is quite proud of its art offerings and boasts several other world-class facilities, including the Mark Arts galleries, CityArts gallery, the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University, and the Kansas African American Museum, to name a few.

Kansas Wildlife Exhibit and Sedgwick County Zoo

The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit served as Wichita’s main zoo from the early 1900s until 1974, when the Sedgwick County Zoo opened. Today, the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit focuses on animal species that are native to Kansas, and it features more than 25 different species in eight naturalistic environments. See beavers, porcupines, red foxes, hawks, bobcats, owls, minks, and more at this well-appointed exhibit.

The Sedgwick County Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals and nearly 400 species. The zoo features one of the largest walk-through aviaries in the United States, as well as fun boat tours, tram tours, and interactive giraffe feedings every day. Explore geographically based exhibits including Asia, Africa, Tropics, North America, and more to see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitats, such as penguins, gorillas, amphibians and reptiles, tigers, orangutans, chimpanzees, and much more. These two venues are fun for the whole family.

Events and Entertainment in Wichita

Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival

The annual Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival is held in April and combines two excellent offerings into one great festival. Immerse yourself in Medieval culture with a real-life jousting competition that takes you back in time with intricate and decorative costumes, armor, lances, shields, and horses. It’s an exciting and exhilarating event that will get your blood pumping as you cheer on your favorite knight. 

Attend the informative and entertaining show put on by the Master Falconers who showcase the regal and dangerous falcons and owls that were so revered in the times of the great Renaissance. Live music, belly dancing, and death-defying aerial performances add an extra element to the festivities, as does living out your childhood fantasies by donning real-life armor, including chain mail, helmets, and gorgets. 

Be amazed by the incredible feats of strength shown off in the official Scottish Highland Games, in which athletes compete in some of the most rigorous and strenuous displays of toughness, like the caber toss, hammer throw, stone throw, and more. Huzzah!

Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Fest

For three days in June, you can experience great music and amazing food at the Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Fest. This charitable event is held in High Park and includes lots of family-friendly offerings including a fun carnival that kids love with Kids’ Corner, inflatable bounce houses, face painters, a caricature artist, and more. And that’s not all this aptly named festival offers.

Of course, there is a plethora of live music encompassing all kinds of genres, the Kansas City BBQ Society Cook-Off, the Backyard BBQ Cook-Off, People’s Choice Contest, and much more. You can also choose from dozens of food trucks and beverage vendors in order to satisfy almost any food-related craving you can think of. 

This entire event is free to attend, and you can also purchase tasting kits for $5, which give you eight 1-ounce samples of various competition-quality pulled pork. All proceeds benefit the McConnell Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Wichita Riverfest

Held in June each year, the Wichita Riverfest is the largest community event in Kansas, drawing nearly 500,000 visitors to downtown Wichita. It’s one of the most affordable and family-friendly events in the entire Midwest and offers nine jam-packed days with more than 100 events in total. This iconic event kicks off every year with a fun and energetic parade through town and an impressive fireworks display.

You can take part in the River Run, watch the stock tank races, see beautiful hot air balloons, attend any number of amazing concerts featuring a huge variety of music, or check out one of the largest classic car shows in the Midwest. Naturally, there are also plenty of food and beverage choices to sample from all types of cuisines, as well as tons of activities and fun for kids, athletic competitions, and more. Be sure to tour the extensive arts and crafts tents that showcase local and national works of artists, craftspeople, jewelers, and more. 

Air Capital Bacon, Beer & Bourbon Festival

If you or people in your group will be 21 years or older during your RV trip to Wichita, you might like the much-anticipated Bacon, Beer & Bourbon Festival held in July. This one-day event is hosted at the Hartman Arena and brings together the region’s top eateries, premium bourbons, and specialty craft beers for a day of culinary delight. What’s a better way to experience a city than through its unique gastronomic offerings?

This special event will enhance your appreciation for and knowledge of bourbon, with several top-notch examples, and give you an in-depth foray into the world of craft brewing with more than 75 beer varieties. Of course, there are also tons of different bacon samples to discover. Let’s not forget live music and entertainment and even mechanical pig riding to round out this unparalleled festival. You’ll be in hog heaven!

Special VIP access gets you in an hour early and gives you access to the coveted Bloody Mary bar and the BLT bar.

Air Capital Comic Con

If you’re looking for a unique event that’s not totally centered on food, the Air Capital Comic Con might be right up your alley. Held in November each year, this fully indoor event speaks to the inner comic book nerd in all of us. Revel in two full days of pop culture and comic book awesomeness with individual and group cosplay costume contests that feature some of the most detailed costumes you’ll ever see in the comic, sci-fi, manga, anime, and video game themes.

Get your photo take with characters from all types of pop culture categories, like the Umbrella Corps from the Resident Evil video game. Be entertained by unique and awe-inspiring dance performances and stunt shows and gain relevant knowledge from discussion panels. Of course, there are a ton of vendors to check out that offer collector’s items, memorabilia, fan favorites, and obviously, comic books. This is a safe and open-minded environment in which you can geek out to the next level.

FAQs

Q. What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate for your RV rental. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location where you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning an RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q. How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in Wichita can range between $75 and $150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost between $100 and $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies also offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Wichita?

The minimum legal age to rent an RV in the state of Kansas is 25. 

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

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Wichita. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most RV rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

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

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Wichita will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle.

Q. Are RVs pet-friendly in Wichita?

Many RV and camper rentals in Wichita are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.