Kansas—a land of endless plains and farmland. There isn’t much to do in this state, right? Wrong! Kansas is actually chock-full of awesome little gems. Fun niche museums can be found in its many tiny towns, beautiful state parks are scattered across the state, and Kansas amusement parks promise hours of fun and laughter.
That’s right, there are tons of fantastic amusement parks in Kansas, and each and every one is worth visiting. Not sure how to begin planning an amusement park adventure in the Sunflower State? We’re here to help, so let’s get started!
Kansas Amusement Parks
The first thing you’ll need to do when planning a trip to see any Kansas amusement park is determine which parks you’ll be visiting in the first place. This can be difficult to do when you don’t know what each park has to offer, so we’ve done some of the legwork for you.
Below is a list of our top 8 favorite amusement parks in the state. Pick and choose from this list and you really can’t go wrong.
- Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun
- Great Wolf Lodge
- Parrot Cove Indoor Waterpark
- All Star Adventures
- McPherson Water Park
- Splash Aqua Park
- Wetlands Water Park at Great Bend
- Chautauqua Park and Water Park
Wondering what to expect from each of these parks? Read on to learn about the attractions in each park, where to find camping nearby, and more!
Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun
Considering it’s owned by the well-known Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, it should come as no surprise that Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, KS is a truly well-thought-out park. What started as a small park back in 1973 has grown into one of the biggest amusement parks in the midwest, and now spans more than 325 acres!
Attractions at Worlds of Fun include large coasters for thrill seekers (the “Mamba” comes highly recommended) as well as the adorable kiddie rides in the well-themed Camp Snoopy area. Family rides are also available, making it fun to spend time as a group, no matter how old or young your loved ones may be.
Besides the main Worlds of Fun theme park, you’ll also find a water park onsite. Oceans of Fun is an excellent place to spend a hot summer day and includes all the fun you’d expect from a major water attraction. Slides, play areas, a wave pool, and more promise a day full of excitement.
RV Camping Near Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun
Obviously, you will need a place to stay while you spend a few days soaking up the sun and fun found at Worlds of Fun. We recommend staying in an RV, obviously. Not sure where to park it though? This is where the nearby campgrounds come into play.
Worlds of Fun Village RV Sites — Easily the most convenient way to stay with your rig is to park in one of the onsite Worlds of Fun Village RV sites. These are paved full-hookup sites with Wi-Fi and satellite TV, and they’re located right next to the amusement park. Doesn’t get much better than that for a theme park camping trip!
Rent an RV near Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun!
Planning Your Trip to Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun
Day tickets to Worlds of Fun start at just $34.99. That said, a season pass pays for itself in just two visits, making it a worthwhile investment if you plan to spend more than a single day in the parks.
All-day dining and all-season dining deals are also available and can be a good value if you plan to eat in the parks several times. Want to bypass the lines? You might consider adding Fast Lane to your ticket too!
Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City
Great Wolf Lodge locations are scattered all across the country, and each and every one is worth visiting. Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, KS is no exception.
This waterpark resort is tons of fun for families, especially those with kids who love to play in the water. The indoor water park is the best in Kansas City and features a huge climbing structure with interactive water features, a lazy river, water slides, a toddler play area, and more.
Besides the water park, this Great Wolf Lodge also boasts the immersive MagiQuest game, a mining sluice, a laser tag experience, and an arcade. Dining options are also available onsite, making your visit even more fun.
RV Camping Near Great Wolf Lodge
Looking for a place to stay during your time at Great Wolf Lodge? You could of course stay at the resort, but we actually think you’d be better off staying in the comfort of an RV. This allows you to spread out in your own space and offers a bit more privacy.
Walnut Grove RV Park — If you need a place to park your RV during your time in Kansas City, consider booking a site at Walnut Grove RV Park. This small park is near the fun offered by Great Wolf Lodge, and although it is a no-frills place, it does have all the amenities you need to relax in complete comfort.
Rent an RV near Great Wolf Lodge!
Planning Your Trip to Great Wolf Lodge
A limited number of day passes to Great Wolf Lodge are available each day, so be sure to snag yours quickly. The price of these passes fluctuates based on the date you plan to visit. Additionally, it’s good to know that both full-day passes and half-day passes are available. If you plan to visit after 4pm, grab the half-day pass and save some money!
Outside food and drink are not allowed in Great Wolf Lodge. However, as we mentioned before, there are food spots onsite, so finding something good to eat should not be a problem.
Parrot Cove Indoor Waterpark
Hoping to find even more indoor water park fun in Kansas? You’re in luck! Parrot Cove Indoor Waterpark in Garden City is another fantastic indoor water park that is sure to leave the whole family smiling.
Although this isn’t the biggest water park in the world, it makes up for its small size by cramming in a whole lot of fun. In fact, Parrot Cove touts itself as the “top rated water park in Southwest Kansas”!
Attractions in this park include a fantastic lazy river where guests enjoy floating and relaxing, as well as some exciting four-story water slides that thrill seekers are sure to love. Little swimmers appreciate the zero-depth pool, and everyone loves that the water is nice and warm all year long.
RV Camping Near Parrot Cove Indoor Waterpark
Like Great Wolf Lodge, Parrot Cove is actually inside of a resort hotel. Still, we think taking an RV on your amusement park vacation is a much better option that allows you to pack everything you need and relax in your own space, no matter where you may land at the end of each day.
Beymer Park Campground — It may not be the closest RV campground to Parrot Cove, but Beymer Park Campground is definitely our top pick. This simple park campground offers sites with and without hookups at a reasonable rate, and the peace and quiet found here is fantastic. The drive to Parrot Cove is a mere 30 minutes.
Rent an RV near Parrot Cove Indoor Waterpark!
Planning Your Trip to Parrot Cove Indoor Waterpark
A one-day ticket to Parrot Cove Indoor Waterpark is incredibly affordable. You can expect to pay $10 for children aged 4–7, $12 for those aged 8–18 (as well as seniors), and $15 for non-senior adults. Little swimmers ages 3 and under receive free admission with a paying adult.
In addition to admission, you might also want to budget for a visit to the arcade, as well as a meal or treat from the onsite snack shack or restaurant.
All Star Adventures
An awesome family fun center, All Star Adventures is the place to go for a good time when in Wichita. This spot has food, rides, games, and a whole lot more, meaning everyone in your family is sure to enjoy their time here.
Some of the best attractions found in All Star Adventures include the go-karts, batting cages, and mini golf. That said, the amusement rides—such as the giant slide, swings, and kiddie rides—are also pretty fantastic. Of course, you can’t miss out on the arcade filled with 60 arcade games, or the bumper cars and bumper boats, which are so hilariously fun they’ll almost certainly leave you in stitches.
Yes, All Star Adventures is a super fun place for sure and should be on your must-visit list if you plan to see the city of Wichita during your Kansas trip.
RV Camping Near All Star Adventures
Camping is always our favorite way to stay. This is true in the wilderness, but is equally true in cities like Wichita. Why not take your RV on your getaway to All Star Adventures so you can return home to your own space every night?
Air Capital RV Park — Located just 17 minutes from All Star Adventures, Air Capital RV Park is an excellent place to park your RV. Not only will you be close to all the fun Wichita has to offer, you’ll also have a large, level, concrete site with full hookups. Amenities at this RV park include restrooms with showers and laundry facilities.
Rent an RV near All Star Adventures!
Planning Your Trip to All Star Adventures
Admission to All Star Adventures is free and guests are charged per experience. Amusement rides are $5 each, and prices for other experiences vary based on what you choose to do, how old you are, and other factors.
Outside food is not allowed in this amusement park, meaning you will likely need to buy food from the onsite eatery. Options include burgers, pizza, chicken strips, pretzels, and other kid-friendly foods.
McPherson Water Park
A local water park that is just as fun for visitors as it for residents of the town, McPherson Water Park is an absolute blast. As you might have guessed, this park is found in the town of McPherson, and it is the perfect place to cool off if you happen to be in the area.
McPherson Water Park boasts a number of awesome things to do. These include a 500-foot lazy river, a giant water slide, a diving well, lap lanes, a splash area for little kids, a smaller bulldog-shaped slide, and a zero-entry pool.
Special themed events happen on family night, which is every Friday throughout the summer. These add an extra fun element to your visit to the water park.
RV Camping Near McPherson Water Park
You will of course need someplace to stay while visiting McPherson Water Park. We always recommend RV camping, but we especially recommend that option when visiting this area of the country, as hotels may be few and far between. Thankfully, RV campsites are available.
McPherson RV Ranch & Horse Motel — For an RV park that offers a quick and easy drive to McPherson Water Park, we recommend McPherson RV Ranch & Horse Motel. This park isn’t fancy, but it is well-kept and offers large gravel sites with full hookups. The owners are friendly, welcoming, and happy to help in any way they can, making this an ideal place to call home for a few days.
Rent an RV near McPherson Water Park!
Planning Your Trip to McPherson Water Park
Open swim is not available every day at this park, so be sure to check the hours before you plan your visit. Admission to open swim is $4 for ages 3–7 and seniors, $5 for ages 8–61, and free for those ages 2 and under. Family night is only $10 per family, and punch passes and season passes are available for those who plan to visit regularly,
It is important to note that inflatable toys are not available in this park. Diving toys and small, soft balls might be allowed in the pool area at the manager’s discretion.
Splash Aqua Park
Located in Wichita, Splash Aqua Park is a unique sort of water park that is sure to offer memorable experiences for all who visit. You see, this park is set entirely on a clean, cool lake. Not only that, every attraction in the park happens to be an inflatable one that’s connected to the others by floating pathways. Essentially, this park takes a day at the lake to a whole new level!
Attractions at Splash Aqua Park include slides, bouncing pillows, swings, climbing areas, a catapult, and more. There are options for thrill seekers as well as more tame options. If you enjoy having fun and getting wet, you’re going to find some things that you enjoy in this park.
In addition to all the inflatable fun, visitors to this park are also given the opportunity to try their hand at paddleboarding on rental boards. A free beach area, volleyball courts, and a bounce house are also available onsite.
RV Camping Near Splash Aqua Park
There’s no place like home, and when you travel in your RV, you always have your tiny home-on-wheels with you. Why not take your RV with you to visit Wichita and Splash Aqua Park so you can return home to your own kitchen, bathroom, and bed each night?
Camp the Range RV Park — A lovely little park located right by all the attractions Wichita has to offer, Camp the Range RV Park is another great place to stay in this little city. Large and shaded gravel sites greet guests here, and full hookups make these sites even more inviting. A dog park means your furry friends will be happy, and everyone will appreciate the friendly staff.
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Planning Your Trip to Splash Aqua Park
Admission to Splash Aqua Park is based on how long you plan to play. A one-hour pass is $15 per person, and a two-hour pass is $25 per person. A punch card for five one-hour visits is also available for $50 per person. Paddleboard rentals are $10 per hour. Be sure to check the website for current promotions to see if you can save money on admission!
Another thing you’ll want to check out before you go? The park rules. Some of the more important rules are that 1) every visitor must sign a waiver before playing, 2) only those ages 5 and up can play, and 3) park-provided swim vests are required.
Wetlands Water Park at Great Bend
Wetlands Water Park at Great Bend was first established way back in 1930, and is the perfect cross between a small town swimming pool and a full-fledged water park. Thanks to a 2005 rebuild of the park, there is plenty to keep everyone busy in this park, but without being overwhelming or making it impossible for mom and dad to keep up with the kids. In our opinion, that makes this water park especially appealing.
One of the best things to do in Wetland Water Park? The awesome water climbing structure with interactive water features, numerous water slides, and more. That said, this is far from the only thing to do during your visit. This park also plays host to slides that go directly into the big swimming pool, floating animals for climbing, a super fun water wars game, and more.
Don’t want to play in the water? That’s okay, there are plenty of colorful shade structures throughout the park, so parents can watch their kids in comfort.
RV Camping Near Wetlands Water Park at Great Bend
Looking for a place to stay while visiting Wetlands Water Park at Great Bend? Take your RV and you can park at an absolutely fantastic RV park that is just minutes from the park. This way you can get all the benefits of visiting a water park while also enjoying the fun of camping in the same trip!
Cottonwood Grove RV Campground — Our favorite place to stay in the area is Cottonwood Grove RV Campground. This little park is under new management and they are doing an awesome job of making it an amazing place to stay. The 22 sites are shaded and offer full hookups. Amenities include Wi-Fi, laundry rooms, bathhouses, and nature trails.
Rent an RV near Wetlands Water Park at Great Bend!
Planning Your Trip to Wetlands Water Park at Great Bend
Daily admission to Wetlands Water Park is $3 for ages 3–17 and $4 for adults. Babies 2yo and under are free. Want to save some money? Visit on Family Swim Night when the cost is only $2 per person, or purchase a 15-admission discount pass for $40. Group rates are also available.
A concession stand offers snacks, drinks, and treats for those who might get hungry during their visit.
Chautauqua Park and Water Park
Another great local water park, Chautauqua Park and Water Park is located in the charming town of Beloit. It’s the perfect place to take a break from exploring the town and let the kids burn off some energy while reconnecting as a family.
The water park area at this park includes a lovely lazy river that is perfect for those who want to relax in the water. Meanwhile, the two water slides provide excitement for the thrill seekers in the group. A zero-depth pool is ideal for younger visitors, the spray ground is fun for kids of all ages, and the water basketball is fun for sports enthusiasts.
In addition to all of the water park facilities, you’ll also find tennis courts, playground equipment, frisbee golf, and fishing available at this park.
RV Camping Near Chautauqua Park and Water Park
One of the very best things about visiting Chautauqua Park and Water Park is the fact that lodging is available in the park. That’s right, this little town park offers RV campsites—complete with hookups—to visitors, meaning RV camping is definitely the way to go when it comes to finding a place to stay while visiting this park.
Chautauqua Park Campground — A cute and green little campground, Chautauqua Park Campground has 30 sites with paved level pads and electric hookups. Potable water is available to fill your tank, and a dump station is in the park. The best thing about this park? It’s 100% free for up to 10 days in a 60-day period! You should plan to leave a donation though.
Rent an RV near Chautauqua Park and Water Park!
Planning Your Trip to Chautauqua Park and Water Park
Cost of admission to Chautauqua Water Park has yet to be announced for the year. That said, pre-season pool passes are now on sale and range in price from $55 to $200, depending on which pass you need.
Keep in mind that appropriate swimwear is required at this park and babies are required to wear swim diapers. Flotation toys are subject to management approval.
It’s pretty obvious that amusement park lovers won’t be bored while visiting Kansas. If these Kansas amusement parks aren’t enough to keep you happy, you can find even more by searching for “amusement parks near me” once you arrive at your Kansas campground.
Another great option? Add some other types of attractions to your trip. There are tons of amazing things to do in Kansas, and these lists will help you find the best of the best:
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