Wichita doesn’t really do “just one kind” of outdoors.

You can start your morning with interactive animal experiences, end up at a farmers market and somehow find yourself looking for the Wichita Troll in the afternoon. Hike or bike through local parks, wander open-air markets like the Kansas Grown! Farmer's Market or Old Town farm & Art Market or grab a disc and see how you stack up on one of the city’s courses. If slowing down is more your speed, there’s always a patio, a brewery or a good meal waiting nearby.

Not sure where to start? That’s kind of the point.

We pulled together a few things to do outside to get you going. Pick one, pick a few, or just see where the day takes you.

Chicken N Pickle in Wichita

Outdoor Attractions

Wichita is home to many outdoor attractions, from outdoor family fun venues to sports and recreation and parks and wildlife experiences. Visitor favorites include:

A family walks across the bridge at the Keeper of the Plains

The Keeper of the Plains

The Keeper of the Plains is must-see in Wichita. One of the most iconic landmarks in the state, the Keeper of the Plains stands at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers. This 44-foot, 5-ton weathered steel sculpture sits atop a 30-foot pedestal overlooking the city. Don't miss the nightly Ring of Fire when the firepots surrounding the Keeper are lit for 15 minutes (starting at 9 p.m. during spring and summer months, weather permitting). The entire area is wheelchair accessible.

A mom guides her daughter on a rented scooter near the Arkansas River

Walk and Ride 

Wichita offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including trails, campsites and 120-plus parks and greenways covering more than 5,000 acres. Bike Walk Wichita has many resources for walking and biking the city. You can download the free Bike Walk Wichita app to access its collection of self-guided walks and rides, complete with points of interest and historical information to enjoy as you explore. The Wichita Public Library also offers the PocketSights app, which allows users to explore Wichita's history with the Wichita History Walk.

If you don’t have your own wheels, try Wichita’s bike-sharing program, Bike Share ICT, which offers more than 200 bicycles at dozens of stations across the city, or a rental from Boats & Bikes. Wichita also has electric scooter rentals through VeoRide.

A man kayaks on the Arkansas River near the Keeper of the Plains

Kayaking and SUP

Boats & Bikes, located at the dock near River Vista Apartments, offers hourly rentals for kayaking and other water activities such as pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards (SUP) from June 1 - August 1, 2026, depending on river conditions. Please note reservations are required.

Wichita Park & Recreation also offers fun kayaking options through special tours and self-service rentals. Check their website for operating hours at O.J. Watson Park. For the self-service rentals, simply scan the QR code on the cage to reserve and pay for a kayak rental for a specific amount of time at that location. Stations are available at O.J. Watson Park and two locations on the Arkansas River at the Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center and near the Kellogg Drive bridge. Find pricing and more details here. Remember to always check the river status here before you head out.

A mother, father, son and daughter take a selfie together in front of a public mural in Wichita, KS

Self-guided Mural Tours

Explore our gallery of some of the most photogenic murals around Wichita, and visit your favorites with your own tour using this map of more than 100 murals that includes the mosaic mural “Personnages Oiseaux” by Joan Miró.

A young family runs along the beach on the lake at Cheney State Park

Kansas State Parks

Additionally, fishing lakes and wildlife areas at Kansas state parks are open to the public, including campgrounds and boat ramps. With 28 state parks, there is an endless amount of outdoor adventure. Cheney State Park and El Dorado State Park are the closest to Wichita.

No matter the time of year or the weather, you’re sure to find plenty of things to do and events to check out in Wichita. Download the latest visitors guide to plan your next trip and explore all that Wichita’s great outdoors has to offer!