RV Rental Olathe, KS

Olathe is a bustling city in eastern Kansas and the county seat of Johnson County. Olathe was founded in the spring of 1857 by a man named John T. Barton. Because he found the area to be naturally beautiful, he wanted to name the new town "Beautiful." So, Barton purportedly asked a Shawnee Native American interpreter what the word for "beautiful" was in his native language. The answer was "olathe," and so Barton decided that Olathe would be the name of his new community. Olathe was officially incorporated later in 1857, and in 1859, it was named the new county seat of Johnson County. During the Civil War, a Union military post was established in Olathe, and Confederate forces attempted to raid the town multiple times. Olathe remained a very small community until the 1950s, when the new interstate highway system linked the town to nearby Kansas City, MO. That led to substantial residential growth, and by 2001, Olathe had a population above 100,000.

As of 2023, the population of Olathe is approximately 145,500. While exploring the city, you should consider checking out a few of the many interesting educational attractions. Some of the most fascinating museums in the area are the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Kansas City Automotive Museum, and the Ensor Park & Museum. If you're interested in art, you could stop by unique attractions like the Permanent Sculpture Exhibit and the Rotating Downtown Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit.

Olathe also contains many scenic parks and other outdoor spaces. If the sun comes out, you could head to Lake Olathe for an afternoon of kayaking or canoeing. Alternatively, you could hike the lovely trails at Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center or enjoy some golf or disc golf at Heritage Park. Another excellent spot is Kill Creek Park, which features a swimming beach, a marina, and scenic multi-use trails. While you're in Olathe, you should visit the Olathe Farmers’ Market to pick up some fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and much more. You should also stop by the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site, where you can learn more about Olathe's fascinating history.

Campgrounds Nears Olathe, Kansas

The Olathe area is home to many wonderful campgrounds, and one example is Walnut Grove RV Park. There, you can stay in one of the 50 full-hookup RV campsites, and you'll be located conveniently close to attractions like the Kansas City Zoo and several sports stadiums. Plus, the campground offers various amenities, including hot showers, clean restrooms, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and an RV dump station.

There's also Worlds of Fun Village, which has pull-through and back-in RV campsites with full hookups. The campground provides guests with regular activities and events and offers discounts for Good Sam and AAA members. Some of the amenities you'll have access to include a camp store, satellite television, Wi-Fi, a charcoal grill, and picnic tables.

Another relaxing place to stay is Campus RV Park, where you can rent an RV campsite and be within walking distance of many family-friendly attractions. The campground has on-site management, so any issues guests have are always handled promptly. Additionally, the park features a fenced dog-run area, showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, and a recreational field.

State Parks Near Olathe, Kansas

Situated near Paola, Kansas, Hillsdale State Park is a large natural haven on the shores of Hillsdale Lake. The beautiful park features two popular hiking trails that allow visitors to enjoy the area's lovely scenery. Alternatively, you could head to Windsurfer Beach for an afternoon of swimming and paddleboarding or enjoy some boating or angling on the nearby lake. Other popular activities within the park include hunting, picnicking, and horseback riding. There's also an amphitheater where you can be entertained and learn more about the area.

Clinton State Park encompasses 1,500 acres on the northern shores of Clinton Reservoir. The placid lake is revered for its crystal-clear waters and excellent opportunities to catch blue catfish, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie. There are also 16 boat ramps, eight courtesy docks, and a marina where you can buy or rent boating and fishing equipment or grab some food at the floating restaurant. Other great features of the popular park include a swimming beach, an archery range, disc golf courses, several hiking trails, and a cross-country skiing trail. Plus, the area offers great opportunities for bird-watching and wildlife viewing.

Situated among the gently rolling hills of southeastern Kansas, Cross Timbers State Park comprises just over 1,000 acres and is located near the 1,800-acre Toronto Reservoir. Visitors will find 16 miles of serene nature trails that are perfect for both hiking and mountain biking. If you'd rather have fun on the water, the nearby river and reservoir provide wonderful opportunities for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and watersports.

National Sites Near Olathe, Kansas

If you're interested in United States history, you'll enjoy exploring the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site. The site, which is found in Jackson County, MO, preserves the home of President Harry S. Truman. Specifically, the site is home to the Truman Home and the Truman Farm Home as well as the Noland Home and the George and Frank Wallace Homes. Truman and various members of his family lived in these houses for many years, and while you're there, you can take guided tours of several of them. The fascinating site also contains over 50,000 artifacts relating to Truman and his family.

Another unique historical site is the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. The site contains Monroe Elementary School, which was previously a segregated grade school and was involved in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court Case. Today, visitors can explore the historic school and browse exhibits relating to its amazing history. In the school's auditorium, you can also watch a film about race. In addition to touring the school, you can go for a hike along the nearby Landon Nature Trail.

Tallgrass National Preserve, situated near Strong City, Kansas, is an excellent family destination and a great place to enjoy outdoor recreational activities. You could start by checking out the visitor center, where you can browse various exhibits and learn about the area, which is one of the last remaining tallgrass prairies in the country. You can also stop by the historic limestone barn, prairie mansion, and icehouse. While exploring the preserve, you'll find top-tier spots for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

National Forests Near Olathe, Kansas

The nearest national forest to Olathe is Mark Twain National Forest, which comprises over 3 million acres divided into nine sections of land. The vast forest is home to many wonderful hiking routes, including the Berryman Trail, the Council Bluff Lake Trail, and the Greer River Trail. If you're a fishing enthusiast, you can reel in trout, crappie, bass, and other fish species in several of the lakes found throughout the forest. Other popular activities include wildlife viewing, bird-watching, and stargazing.

If you head down to Arkansas, you can explore Ouachita National Forest. Located among the Ouachita Mountains, the forest offers breathtaking views, high elevations, and many rivers, streams, and lakes. Visitors can partake in hiking, hunting, camping, scenic driving, fishing, boating, and swimming. They can also visit the various historic and cultural sites found throughout the sizable forest. If you decide to hike through the forest, make sure to visit exceptional routes like the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail and the Hunt's Loop Trail. 

Ozark and St. Francis National Forests are situated in central and northwestern Arkansas and cover just over 1 million acres. St. Francis National Forest is the only national forest providing access to the Mississippi River and one of the only national forests offering caving opportunities. While visiting the peaceful forests, you can go swimming, fishing, scenic driving, geocaching, stargazing, and hiking on trails like the North Sycamore Creek Trail and the Huckleberry Mountain Trail.