William B. Strang Jr. was one of the first European settlers in the Overland Park area, and he laid out the town's plots in 1905. Other cities in the area shunned this location, but before Strang died 19 years later, he laid out several housing developments, an interurban railroad, and an airfield while always emphasizing creating a park-like environment. The town was officially incorporated on May 20, 1960, when about 23,000 people lived in the city. Today, the population is about 193,000 people.
You can find many things to do in Overland Park. The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful hiking destination with over five miles of trails. If you love to bike, ride along part of the Indian Creek Hike and Bike Trail, running through the city's heart. If you have children, you will love seeing the 250 animals at the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Switzer Park. This park also has a soccer complex, pickleball and basketball courts, a skate park, and a golf course.
Overland Park has many fantastic places to eat, like the ABC Café. It is the perfect spot to get Cantonese food, like pork buns, turnip cakes, hot and spicy beef tendon, shrimp and pork-stuffed tofu skins, and golden-fried shrimp. You will love the quiet atmosphere of this strip mall restaurant, which only has a few tables. Another terrific choice is El Salvadoreño, where you will want to try the pupusa stuffed with beans, cheese, and pork. Another choice you will not want to miss is the Weiner Kitchen, where you will want to get the chorizo rojo sausage wrapped in a handmade tortilla and topped with onion-jalapeno relish and a fried egg.
Blue Springs, Missouri – You will love visiting Gregory O. Grounds Park, where you can go fishing in Lake Remembrance for bluegill, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. A 54-acre lake is also a fantastic place for a paddling adventure. As you drive around town, notice the public artwork, most were made by local artists using reclaimed materials from this community's historic downtown area.
20+ Restaurants
20+ Gas Stations
3 campgrounds
6 RV dump stations
Raytown, Missouri – The Rock Island Trail runs through downtown Raytown, an excellent place to go hiking. In addition, you will love visiting the 36-acre Cave Spring Historic Site and Nature Center, which offers terrific nature exhibits. Water garden, bird sanctuary, nature center, butterfly garden, cave, rock climbing, waterfall area, and the ruins of 1920s cabins.
20+ Restaurants
20+ Gas stations
3 RV dump stations
Shawnee, Kansas – Learn more about this community's history by visiting the Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, where you can see a reconstructed farmstead, post office, chapel, school, and fire station. The 120-acre lake at Shawnee Mission Park is a terrific spot for all your favorite water activities.
20+ Restaurants
20+ Gas Stations
3 Campgrounds
5 RV dump stations
SantaCaliGon Days Festival - This four-day festival held annually on Labor Day weekends honors Independence as the starting point of the Santa Fe Trail. Events, including live music, shopping, and food, are held at various venues.
Overland Park Fall Festival - This two-day October festival in downtown Overland Park features bands, food, and family fun.
American Royal World Series of Barbecue – This weeklong event is the world's largest barbecue party. Thousands of grillmasters compete at the American Royal grounds in September and October to bring home top honors.
You can also find RV storage in Kansas City. In the Greater Kansas City area, RV storage is available at Stadium Park and Campground. Call ahead to check availability and prices as many options are available. This facility in Independence, Missouri offers uncovered parking spaces. Underground storage in a parking garage is available at SubTropolis Storage in Kansas City. You will need to call about prices at this facility that offers spots up to 10 feet wide and 37 feet long.
Start your visit to Gateway Arch National Park by riding the tram to the top of the arch. The seven-to-nine-minute narrated ride is the perfect time to learn more about this park's construction. Once at the top, look out the 16 viewing windows to see for miles on a clear day. You will have approximately 45 minutes at the top before the tram takes you back down again. Then, you will want to wander over to the Old Courthouse to learn more about the Dred Scott Supreme Court case, which hastened the start of the Civil War. This park covers 96 acres and hosts street musicians and other activities, especially in the summer.
Hot Springs National Park is one of the oldest national parks in the United States, but before it was a national park, it was a tourist resort. You will love strolling along Bathhouse Row, where you can see art, get spa treatments, visit park rangers and drink an adult beverage. Like the first tourists, you will want to drink and soak in the mineral-rich water, which they believed cured various ailments.
Hikers may want to leave from Overland Park to visit Indiana Dunes National Park. Learn more about how the wind has created this park's unique geology by hiking along the Dunes Succession Trail. There are also over 75 miles of maintained bike trails to explore. People come to this park mainly to play on Lake Michigan's sandy beaches.
If you are looking for an excellent place for a water day, head to Hillsdale State Park between Spring Hill and Paola, Kansas. Anglers often catch walleye, crappie, and bluegill from the 51 miles of shoreline surrounding the 4,500-acre lake. The shoreline is a fabulous place for a hike, and you may see whitetail deer, bobwhite quail, squirrels, and muskrats during your walk. If you have access to a horse, 32 miles of riding trails are available. Hunting is permitted seasonally.
Near Lawrence, Kansas, Clinton State Park has over 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. There are 391 camping spots in the campground at this park on Lake Clinton's north shores. Boats are available to rent at the marina. Kids easily find fishing success in the 3-acre trout pond. This park also has an 18-hole disc golf course, sand volleyball courts, and an archery range.
Cross Timbers State Park west of Yates City is a terrific spot for fishing in the Verdigris River and Toronto Lake, where anglers often catch white crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and flat-head catfish angling. Black bass, bluegill, and sunfish. Especially along the Toronto Lake Overlook Trail, hikers often spot white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, quail, doves, and raccoons.
Harry S. Truman National Historic Site in Independence is home to three historic homes. It is where President Truman lived with his wife Bess from the time of their marriage in 1919 until he died in 1972. Bess's maternal grandfather constructed the home between 1867 and 1885.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka tells the story of the Supreme Court decision that desegregated American public schools. Monroe Elementary School is the primary site at this facility, and it was one of four African American schools in Topeka.
Learn more about George Washington Carver's secret garden, which inspired him to become known as the plant doctor when you visit George Washington Carver National Monument near Diamond, Missouri. Take a guided tour to see this location's landscape.
There are outstanding Kansas City area campgrounds. If you enjoy thrill rides, consider camping at the Worlds of Fun Campground, as the amusement park is only a short hike away. They have a seasonal pool and hot tub for campground guests. Each site comes with a concrete patio with a fire ring. Pull-through sites are 100 feet long while back-in sites are 55 feet long. Prices start at about $37.85.
Watch the Kansas City Chiefs play at home or attend other events at Arrowhead Stadium without worrying about parking by camping at Autumn Falls RV Park. This 55+ campground offers short-and-long-term spaces. Spots start at about $37 per night.
Families looking for a camping resort will want to consider Basswood Resort in Platte City, Missouri. Your children will love the themed weekends throughout the spring, summer, and fall at this 155-site campground. They will also love fishing in the stocked pond, swimming in the pool, and playing shuffleboard. Rates start at approximately $70 per night.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Overland Park, KS, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Overland Park?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Overland Park from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Overland Park?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
