There are a number of amazing Kansas landmarks that you will want to add to your travel itinerary. See where history happened with your own two eyes or get familiar with the incredible natural beauty that surrounds you; either way, you’re sure to find a landmark in Kansas that suits your fancy.
Not sure who to begin searching for these awesome spots in the Sunflower State? We recommend the ones below.
Top Landmarks in Kansas
Kansas Landmarks
Hollenberg Pony Express Station
A state historic site that’s also known as the Cottonwood Pony Express Station, the Hollenberg Pony Express Station featured prominently in the 1800s. During this time, hundreds of pioneers as well as Pony Express mail delivery riders stopped in by this small but cozy waypoint.
Today, the historical site and museum offers tours of rooms furnished with period fixtures. As well as a visitor center with heaps of fascinating information about the lifestyle of the day. There’s also a short hiking trail on the grounds for those hoping to stretch their legs and take in some fresh air.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located in the northeastern section of the state, the Hollenberg Pony Express Station is just outside the small town of Hanover. There you will find the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center among other attractions. It is within an easy day’s drive of Fancy Creek State Park, as well as several other outdoor adventures.
As far as RV parking goes, we recommend Country Acres Hanover RV Park.
Fort Leavenworth
The oldest continually active military reservation west of the Mississippi River, Fort Leavenworth was opened back in 1827 and remains an iconic U.S. landmark to visit today.
It is an active United States Army garrison, so don’t be surprised when you run into some fine folks in uniform. What exactly is done here? Well, military installations of this kind are essentially cities for soldiers, offering everything from sports and recreation to religious services, restaurants and more.
Many of these fixtures are open to the public, and visitors are welcome to self-guided tours of the property (so long as they provide proper ID and clear security).
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located in the town of Leavenworth, a suburb of Kansas City, there’s a great plethora of things to do near Fort Leavenworth. This is especially true if you cross over to the Missouri side where you’ll find the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium as well as the National Museum of Toys.
Wonderful camping can be found at Suncatcher Lake Campground, so you’ll be able to be completely comfortable during your stay.
Constitution Hall State Historic Site
Constitution Hall State Historic Site protects and preserves this important part of both Kansan and American history. At this hall, a group of antislavery protestors met in 1857 to speak out against the pro slavery constitutional convention meeting being held. In doing so, these people shaped the future of Kansas’s eventual place in the Union.
Visitors will learn, through educational programs as well as interactive exhibits, in much more depth about the complicated history of slavery in the state of Kansas, as well as the brave people who wouldn’t keep quiet about this injustice.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located in the town of Lecompton, Constitution Hall State Historic Site is about equidistant between the cities of Topeka and Lawrence. Both cities offer many options as far as restaurants and shopping opportunities go. You’ll also find some attractions in these cities including Topeka Zoo and Spencer Museum of Art.
Camping can be found nearby at Clinton State Park.
Sumner Elementary School
Sumner Elementary School was involved in the famed Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case in 1954. In this case, a child by the name of Linda Brown attempted to enroll in Sumner only to be denied access because she was Black. Instead, she was made to go to Monroe School, an all-Black institution further from her home. The ensuing lawsuit was originally heard by the Supreme Court, who ruled that segregation laws in public schools are unconstitutional.
Today, Sumner Elementary School is a National Historic Landmark known for its unique Art Deco architecture style as well as its historical significance. However, the school has since closed and was put up to auction, and is currently seeing renovations to eventually serve as a community center and human rights memorial.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located in the Kansas capital city of Topeka, Sumner Elementary School is surrounded with other fun to-dos like the Kansas Museum of History, the Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center, and the aforementioned Topeka Zoo.
Camping in Topeka is plentiful, but one of our favorite spots for RV parking is Deer Creek Valley RV Park.
Red Rocks State Historic Site
The formal name of the preserved home of William Allen White, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and a political advisor to several presidents, Red Rocks State Historic Site is definitely a site worth seeing. White and his family lived in this Emporia house from 1899 until the time White died in 1944.
Today, it’s both a state historic site and National Historic Landmark, and a series of free events are held on the porch each Sunday (a running program known as “Sundays on the Porch”).
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Emporia offers attractions such as the David Traylor Zoo of Emporia. It’s also approximately midway between Kansas City and Wichita, meaning it’s ripe for things to do within an easy day’s drive. It’s also closeby to Eisenhower State Park as well as Pomona State Park and others.
Emporia RV Park is one of the best places to stay in the are and is a great place to call home during your adventures.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Kansas is known for its vast grasslands, and an iconic U.S. natural landmark to check out is the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. This endless sea of grass once covered more than 170 million acres of our continent, reaching well outside the confines of what we know today as Kansas.
These days, most of it has been transformed into farmland. In fact, today, less than 4% of the original prairie remains, but fortunately, that portion is protected by the National Park Service. Here, visitors can learn more about these historic lands and how we can protect them today, as well as seeing first hand where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Just west of Emporia and north of Strong City, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is surprisingly close to big, built-up spaces. Both Wichita and Kansas City are only about a two-hour drive away.
Camping is available in nearby Swope Park for just a small fee.
The Keeper of the Plains
An iconic and unmissable 44-foot steel structure, the Keeper of the Plains is a well-known landmark in Wichita, Kansas. The land marked by this sculpture has been considered sacred by Native Americans since time immemorial, and today is home also to the Mid-America All-Indian Museum.
The base of the sculpture itself offers informational displays on the tribes whose land this originally was. It also boasts roaring fire pits, or Rings of Fire, that are manually lit at 15-minute intervals to ensure everyone stays safe.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Wichita is easily one of the most happening cities in the state of Kansas, with a great botanical garden, many museums, and more. We highly recommend a visit to the Exploration Place, especially if you have kids in tow.
You can camp at the lovely K and R RV Park in Wichita and stay right by all of the action.
Fort Larned
Originally constructed to protect travelers and mail couriers along the Santa Fe Trail as the tensions between pioneers and Native Americans arose, Fort Larned was built in 1860 and stayed in service until 1878. When first established, the original fort was called Camp Alert, because the men who were garrisoned here always had to be on alert for Native American warriors.
Today, those who visit will learn more about life on this well-preserved army post as well as the complex political situations that necessitated it.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located a few miles west of the town of Larned and far from any of Kansas’s large cities, Fort Larned is close to Pawnee Rock State Historic Site, as well as Ford County State Park, Meade State Park and others.
Camping can be found at Meade State Park, making it easy to immerse yourself in the beauty of the area.
El Quartelejo
El Quartelejo — sometimes spelled El Cuartelejo — is the field of archeological remains left behind by the northernmost Native American pueblo. In fact, it is the only known pueblo in the state of Kansas.
The origins of this community remain somewhat mysterious, though historians have some guesses. El Quartelejo might have been established by Native Americans who’d left New Mexico before being rounded up and brought back by the Spanish. Others speculate that this area was inhabited by Taos and Picuris people who fled New Mexico after the Pueblo Revolt failed. Either way, it’s a stunning piece of world history to see for yourself.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
This landmark is actually located inside a state park — Lake Scott State Park, to be exact, just north of Scott City in western Kansas. Other area wildernesses worth checking out include Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and Cedar Bluff State Park.
You can actually camp in the state park, making it easy to see and do everything during your visit.
Wagon Bed Spring
Known also as Lower Spring or Lower Cimarron Spring, Wagon Bed Spring is — spoiler alert — no longer a spring. It’s run dry. But it was once!
Due to its location along the Santa Fe Trail, this spring was invaluable to travelers passing through the area, who found it to be the first reliable water source after the Arkansas River 60 miles away.
This spring was labeled a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Standing before it, you can feel the long, hard journeys people took to get here — and how much hope they must have felt when they arrived.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Tucked between Ulysses and Hugoton, Wagon Bed Spring is rightly in the middle of nowhere — that’s what made it such an oasis to those on the trail. There are a few attractions in both towns though, so if you’re looking for something to do, head into town!
RV camping can be found at Eagle RV Park in Hugoton.
Planning an RV Trip to Kansas
As you can see, there are tons of great Kansas landmarks to explore. The most perfect way to see them? In an RV, of course. While you’re at it, make sure to see the best state parks and major cities in the state and stay in some of the best campgrounds in the state of Kansas.
