I thought that Kansas would be a drab state to visit. I admittedly didn’t know much about the state, and only really associated it with bad weather and the Wizard of Oz. So when we talked about planning a road trip to all of the National Parks in Kansas, I was only moderately excited. I’m happy to report that I was COMPLETELY wrong about my assumption! Kansas is a great, road-trip worthy state! This post shows how you can complete a loop through Kansas to visit all of the National Park Units in the state. This was a (5 day / 4 night) portion of our route on our recent Midwest National Park road trip. We will share a bit about each park, as well as provide some insights on places to stay and other things to do along the way. We hope this post is useful for your planning!…
I was surprised when I counted that there are only 45 National Parks in the Midwest. After all, the midwestern states comprise roughly 20% of the land area of the 48 contiguous US States, but make up only roughly 11% of the 420+ parks managed by the US National Park Service. But don’t discount the beauty and significance of the Midwestern National Parks! That would be a mistake. In our quest to visit the 420+ National Park Units in the United States, we have learned that the Midwest boasts many diverse experiences from scenic waterways and landscapes, to telling the story of westward expansion and civil rights, to honoring the many contributions of indigenous people in the making of America. So whether you are planning a solo road trip, a Midwest couples vacation, or a vacation spot for your entire family, check out these great national parks! Where is…