Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in Kansas

Summer in Kansas is a magical time, and there's a lot to do here. Even though we're not on the ocean or considered a major nationwide vacation destination, there are plenty of great things to do in Kansas in summer that are perfect for warm-weather adventures. From lakeside beaches to hikes through our majestic plains, outdoor dining to summer festivals galore, we can enjoy endless Kansas summer activities here. To help you plan your summer, we've gathered up a few of our favorites that you and your family will want to check out this year:

Best Summer Vacation Destinations In Kansas

There's no reason to travel outside our state lines to enjoy a summer vacation. There are so many wonderful places to visit in the Sunflower State. Whether you're searching for a perfect summer day trip in Kansas or want to stay a few days longer for an extended getaway, you'll have no trouble finding a fun vacation destination to enjoy a little fun in the sun.

1. Wichita

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: Looking for a great place to stay in Wichita? We love the Drury Plaza Hotel. It's centrally located and reasonably priced, making it a great option for travelers on a budget. I've stayed at a Drury Plaza Hotel before and found it to be clean, comfortable, and affordable.

Wichita is such a delightful town with so much to enjoy. It's home to some of the best restaurants in Kansas, and the riverwalk here is a wonderful place for a stroll. The iconic Keeper of the Plains is one of the coolest statues in the Midwest, and it's practically an unofficial symbol of the Sunflower State. There's something for everyone to enjoy here, and we highly recommend visiting the Sedgwick County Zoo and Botanica, one of the state's top botanical gardens. Looking for an indoor attraction to cool off in the AC? The Museum of World Treasures is fascinating for visitors of all ages.

2. Dodge City

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: This fun vacation rental in Dodge City, KS, is centrally located and can sleep up to six guests. It has all the comforts of home and is close to area attractions.

Dodge City is a town that's practically synonymous with Wild West history, and this place really leans into its roots! You'll find many attractions here that will make you feel like you stepped back in time a few hundred years. One of the best is the Boot Hill Museum, which contains a reconstructed area that now serves as a living museum. Historical reenactors allow you to experience saloons and shootouts firsthand: the live entertainment here is a blast for all ages. Need to cool off in the hot summer sun? Check out Long Branch Lagoon, the western-themed water park perfect for adults and kids alike.

3. Lindsborg

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: One of our favorite vacation rentals in Lindsborg, KS, is the gorgeous Stenhuset. This Vrbo property, built in 1877, does a wonderful job of maintaining its historic charm while providing modern amenities.

We might be slightly biased, but we honestly think Lindsborg is one of the best small towns in America. It's located in central Kansas and is nicknamed Little Sweden. Swedish immigrants founded the town, which still retains much of its European charm today. You'll find adorable European stores, Swedish restaurants, and Dala horses all over the city. Visit during the summertime and you'll be treated to the marvelous Midsummer's Festival, a lovely summer solstice celebration that includes food, fun, and traditional Swedish dancing.

Best Beaches & Lakes To Visit In Kansas This Summer

We are about as landlocked as it gets, but that doesn't mean there aren't countless places to enjoy fun on the water in Kansas. Our many lakes and rivers are great for kayaking, fishing, and simply relaxing by the shoreline. Check out a few of our favorite beaches in Kansas that are worth a visit this summer:

4. Wilson State Park

Location: Sylvan Grove, KS

Popularity: Less popular than some other beaches

Need To Know: The campgrounds here are great, and if you prefer more glamorous accommodations, cabins are also available for rent.

Wilson State Park is tucked away in the quiet Smoky Hills, in a region that few tourists visit. This beautiful park is worthy of exploration. It has miles of hiking trails, a variety of campsites, a sprawling lake, and limestone canyons that will make you feel like you're on another planet. The Wilson Reservoir offers many recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and relaxing by the shoreline.

5. Shawnee Mission Park

Location: Shawnee, KS

Popularity: Very Popular

Need To Know: Stop by the Visitor Services center for trail guides, fishing licenses, park maps, and other important information.

Shawnee Mission Park may not be one of the many state parks in Kansas, but it's a wonderful (and expansive) preserve that's worthy of a visit. The park's 120-acre lake makes it immensely popular in the summertime, and with a swimming beach and a marina, there are many options for fun on the water. The park also has an archery range, dog park, disc golf course, and many great mountain biking and hiking trails. This is a wonderful choice for family fun outdoors, and it's one of our favorite summer activities in Kansas.

6. Perry State Park

Location: Ozawkie, KS

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: Perry State Park is located about halfway between Lawrence and Topeka, making it easy for much of the state's population to access.

If you're looking for fun on the water, it doesn't get much better than a visit to Perry State Park. The park is located on the southwest shore of Perry Reservoir and surrounded by wooded rolling hills, perfect for a summertime camping adventure. With horse trails, biking, and hiking trails, plus plenty of beachfront acreage and opportunities for fishing, there's something for everyone here.

Parks To Visit In Kansas This Summer

With so many great municipal and state parks in Kansas, there are virtually endless places to enjoy the outdoors. Our parks offer many places for hiking, fun on the water, mountain biking, or whatever you love to do outside. If you're a big fan of hiking in Kansas, consider a free trial of AllTrails+. You'll enjoy benefits like downloadable trail maps, turn-by-turn directions, and more.

7. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Location: Oakley, KS

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: Visitors aren't allowed off-trail, so make sure to follow all signage.

One of the newest state parks in Kansas is the magnificent Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. It's home to some incredibly unique scenery. The 220 acres of badlands here look almost otherworldly. Walking through the trails here is a magical experience. The park gets its name because the rocks here look like the ancient streets of Jerusalem. They're made of Niobrara chalk, like the nearby Monument Rocks. While you're in the area, visit there as well, as it's also quite stunning.

8. Kanopolis State Park

Location: Marquette, KS

Popularity: Underrated

Need To Know: There are more than 200 primitive campsites here, plus a few modern cabins, equestrian campsites, and sites with hookups.

Kanopolis Lake State Park sprawls thousands of acres, with dozens of miles of trails and wonderful caves worthy of exploration. The park is a great place to hang out and one of our favorite Kansas summer activities. The water here is perfect for casting a line and catching a few fish. The Smoky Hills region is one of the most beautiful areas in the state, and we love visiting this incredible park.

9. Clinton State Park

Location: Lawrence, KS

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: The beach here has a sandy volleyball court that's so much fun.

Clinton State Park is one of the most amazing parks in the state, particularly in the summer months. The beach here is right along the north shore of Clinton Lake, and there's a wonderful shoreline that's perfect for relaxing or swimming. There are multiple boat ramps, and the park has boats available for rent if you don't own your own. There are 25 miles worth of trails, several fishing ponds, a disc golf course, an archery range, and more.

Best Free Summer Activities In Kansas

Times are tough, and many families do their best to save as much money as possible. If you're hunting for cheap or free things to do in Kansas this summer, we've found some excellent options for the whole family.

10. Sunflower Summer

Location: All over the state

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: Sunflower Summer runs from July 12 to August 3, 2025.

Many people aren't aware of this, but the Sunflower Summer program allows Kansas families free admission to more than 200 attractions all over the state! The program includes zoos, museums, and more. Children and up to two adults can obtain free admission to many great sites all over the state. Check out the Sunflower Summer website for more information or to download the smartphone app. Non-residents cannot get free attraction admission using the app, but it's still a great resource that shows off some of the best family-friendly summer attractions in Kansas.

11. Great Plains Nature Center

Location: Wichita, KS

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: There's an indoor nature center here for when it's too hot to be outside and you need to cool off in the air conditioning, but you'll also find miles of trails at Chisholm Creek Park, which is right next door.

The Great Plains Nature Center and adjoining Chisholm Creek Park have enough fun activities to entertain for a whole day, and best of all, they're both free. You'll find 240 acres of trails and preserved land here; the nature center even has a few critters. Events like bird walks and kids' programming are hosted here throughout the summer, making it an excellent outing for the entire family.

12. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Location: Strong City, KS

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: North America once boasted nearly 170 million acres of tallgrass prairie, but now, only 4 percent remains, most of which can be found in Kansas's Flint Hills.

There are around 11,000 acres to explore here, and it's much more than just plain grass. This is such a unique ecosystem, and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve landscape is the quintessential Kansas scenery that comes to mind when many think of the Sunflower State. There are many hiking paths here, and you'll spot many cattle and bison throughout the preserve. You'll also see small patches of forests and abandoned buildings as you explore the preserve. This is such a beautiful area that belongs on every traveler's bucket list.

Best Summer Events And Festivals In Kansas

There are year-round events and festivals in Kansas, whether you love to celebrate occasions like the arrival of spring or the winter holidays. The warm weather brings about plenty of great festivals that are some of the biggest of the year, with concerts, kids' events, and so much more. Here are a few of our favorites that are worth marking your calendar for:

13. Smoky Hill River Festival

Location: Salina

Popularity: Very Popular

Need To Know: This year's festival runs from June 12-15, 2025.

The Smoky Hill River Festival is an arts festival featuring music, crafts, kids' activities, and a "food row" with more than 30 different vendors. There's something for everyone at this Kansas summer event, which started in 1976 and attracts 60,000 attendees annually. Find out more from the Smoky Hill River Festival website.

14. Midsummer's Festival

Location: Lindsborg

Popularity: Popular

Need To Know: This year's Midsummer's Festival is June 14, 2025.

The Midsummer's Festival is one of the best annual events in Lindsborg, a small town known as "America's Little Sweden." Swedish immigrants founded the town, and it still celebrates its European heritage today. Midsummer's Festival is scheduled in late June to commemorate the summer solstice. The whole town gets together and you can enjoy traditional Swedish dancing, food, a maypole dance, and a kubb tournament (traditional Swedish sport). You can learn more and check out the schedule of events at the Midsummer's Festival website. It's one of the best summer festivals in Kansas that you won't want to miss.

15. Wild West Festival

Location: Hays

Popularity: Very Popular

Need To Know: This year's event lasts from July 2-5, 2025.

The Wild West Festival is one of Kansas's most fun Fourth of July celebrations. The entire Hays community gets together to put on an epic parade, a huge concert, and a massive fireworks show. You can also catch other events throughout town during the weekend, like a 5K run. Check out the Wild West Festival website to purchase tickets or learn more about this great summer festival in Hays, KS.

What are your plans this summer in Kanas? Do they include any of the above events, parks, and other destinations? If you have any other favorite summer activities you would add to this list, tell us about them through our nominations page.