Hutchinson is a city in Reno County, Kansas. It is the county seat and largest city of Reno County. The city has a population of approximately 42,080 people and covers an area of 17.7 square miles. It was founded in 1871 and incorporated as a city in 1872. The city was named after C. C. Hutchinson, a Santa Fe Railway official.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hutchinson was a thriving center of agriculture and salt production. Salt mines were established in the area in the late 1860s, and Hutchinson became a major center for salt production and related industries. The city's growth was also fueled by its location along the Santa Fe Railway, which connected it to other major cities in the region.
In the mid-20th century, Hutchinson experienced significant growth and development, becoming a hub of manufacturing, commerce, and healthcare. Today, Hutchinson is a thriving community with a diverse economy, a rich cultural heritage, and a growing population. The city is also home to the Kansas State Fair, which is held annually and attracts visitors from all over the state.
One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Cosmosphere and Space Center, an education center and museum located in Hutchinson, Kansas. It is dedicated to the preservation and display of artifacts from the history of space exploration and includes a large collection of Soviet and American space artifacts, including spacecraft, moon rocks, and astronaut suits. The center also offers interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and educational programs for visitors of all ages. Other popular attractions in Hutchinson include the Kansas Underground Salt Museum and the Hutchinson Zoo. In terms of shopping and dining, Hutchinson offers a variety of options, ranging from local boutiques to big box stores. The city has a thriving food scene with a range of restaurants serving everything from traditional American fare to international cuisine.
Campgrounds Near Hutchinson, Kansas
One popular RV campground near Hutchinson, Kansas is Santa Fe Lake and Campground, which is located in Augusta. This RV resort is about 70 minutes southeast of Hutchinson and 25 minutes east of Wichita, and it is spacious with up to 30 hookups. On top of that, this campground offers direct shoreline access with campfire rings on every campsite. Other amenities include back-in and pull-through sites, daily/weekly/monthly rates, and call receptions.
The USI RV Park, located in Wichita, is approximately an hour's drive east of Hutchinson and another destination to check out. This campground has its own convenience store packed with RV supplies and a laundry facility. With such amenities as full hookups, back-in and pull-through sites, and showers, this is a nice vacation spot for you and your family.
Lake Afton Park in Sedgwick County, about 50 minutes west of Wichita, gives you access to the largest lake in Wichita. Here you can enjoy 280 sites with hookups, call reception, showers, and both back-in and pull-through access. In addition, there is an observatory if you love stargazing, and you are allowed to bring your pet.
National Sites Near Hutchinson, Kansas
To the east of Hutchinson is Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Located in the Flint Hills of Kansas, it was established in 1996 and covers 10,894 acres of tallgrass prairie. Today, this is the most intact tallgrass prairie remaining in North America. The preserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including bison, elk, and prairie chickens, and it provides opportunities for hiking, bird-watching, and other recreational activities. This is one of the most popular national sites you can visit while in Hutchinson.
At the Nicodemus National Historic Site, you can learn about the history of the town of Nicodemus, which was founded in 1877 as part of the Exoduster movement. It was one of the first all-Black towns established in Kansas after the Civil War, and it was home to a diverse community of former slaves, farmers, and business owners. At the site, you can learn about the history and culture of the town through exhibits, tours, and interactive programs. The site also preserves several historic buildings, including the First Baptist Church, which is the oldest African American church building in the state of Kansas. It is located approximately three hours northwest of Hutchinson.
You can also visit Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas, which serves as a memorial to the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case of the same name. The site includes Monroe Elementary School, which was one of four schools at the center of the Brown v. Board of Education case. Visitors to the site can learn about the history of the case, the struggle for civil rights, and the legacy of segregation in the United States. The site is located about two hours to the east of Hutchinson.
National Forests Near Hutchinson, Kansas
Mark Twain National Forest is located in Missouri, approximately seven hours to the east of Hutchinson. It covers over 1.5 million acres and comprises rolling hills, glades, and forests. The forest is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and many species of birds. Mark Twain National Forest also contains several designated wilderness areas, including the Hercules Glades Wilderness, the Irish Wilderness, and the Bell Mountain Wilderness.
Grand Mesa National Forest is located in western Colorado. It covers over 500,000 acres and includes the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-topped mountain. The forest offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, and winter sports. It is also home to several scenic drives, lakes, and trails such as Crag Crest National Recreation Trail and Dusty Cree National Forest Trail. Grand Mesa is known for its diverse landscape that includes alpine forests, meadows, and wetlands, as well as its abundant wildlife, such as elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. At Grand Mesa National Forest, you can also explore numerous fishing opportunities available, including both warm-water and cold-water fisheries.
Gunnison National Forest is another prime destination. Located approximately 10 hours to the west of Hutchinson, this forest covers over 1.7 million acres of land and is home to a diverse range of landscapes, including mountains, forests, and canyons. Black Canyon’s walls, for example, are over 2,000 feet tall and offer stunning views. Some of the popular recreation activities in the forest include hiking and fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir, camping, hunting, and skiing. The forest is also home to a number of wildlife species, including elk, deer, and black bears.
