Wichita is a nature lover’s dream with something for every outdoor enthusiast. Explore scenic hiking and biking trails through area parks, tee off at one of the city’s popular disc golf courses and paddle the Arkansas River by kayak or paddleboard. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife while birdwatching in serene nature reserves, or settle in for a picnic at one of Wichita’s many green spaces.
After a day of adventure, you can unwind at one of the city’s many breweries, coffee shops or eateries.
But where do you start? We put together a list of popular outdoor adventures. Pick one – or all of them – and start planning your next trip to 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:
- All Star Sports – Family fun with go-karts, mini golf, batting cages and more
- Bar2Bar MX Park – Kansas’ top motocross track for racing and practice.
- Botanica Wichita – Explore 30+ themed gardens and seasonal events.
- Chicken N Pickle – Pickleball, lawn games, and great food.
- Field Station: Dinosaurs – Life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and mini-golf
- Great Plains Nature Center – Scenic trails and wildlife education
- Old Cowtown Museum – Step back in time to Wichita’s Wild West days
- Sedgwick County Zoo – Home to 3,000+ animals across 215 acres
- Starlite Drive-In – A classic outdoor movie experience with triple features
- Tanganyika Wildlife Park – Interactive experiences with exotic animals
- Wichita Wind Surge – Catch a minor league baseball game at Equity Bank Park
Water Attractions
Wichita offers a variety of ways to make a splash. So, when the summer heat hits, head to any of these refreshing spots:
- Rock River Rapids – A full-service water park with slides, pools, and a lazy river
- Tanganyika Falls – A unique, animal-themed splash park at Tanganyika Wildlife Park
- YMCA Water Parks – Four locations (Andover, North, Northwest and South) with slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers (day passes available)
- Public Pools & Fountains – Cool off at six public pools and multiple interactive fountains across the city
The Keeper of the Plains
The Keeper of the Plains is a 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.
Walk and Ride
Wichita offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including trails, campsites and 140-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 stations across the city, or a rental from Boats & Bikes. Wichita also has electric scooter rentals through VeoRide.
Kayaking and SUP
Boats & Bikes, located at the dock near River Vista Apartments, offers season passes and hourly rentals for kayaking and other water activities such as pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards (SUP) from May through September, depending on river conditions.
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.
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.
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!
