RV Parks In Hutchinson, Kansas

Hutchinson, Kansas, is a city of about 40,000 people in Reno County, best known as the home of the Kansas State Fair and the Cosmosphere -- one of the top space museums in the world. The area has several RV parks and campgrounds, with some offering free access to travelers. Hutchinson sits at the intersection of KS-61 and US-50, about 50 miles northwest of Wichita, and it's a city that consistently surprises RVers with the quality and variety of its attractions. The Cosmosphere houses one of the most significant collections of spaceflight artifacts outside the Smithsonian, including an actual Apollo 13 command module, a German V-1 and V-2 rocket, and a full-size Space Shuttle replica. It's genuinely world-class and worth a full day. The Kansas State Fairgrounds dominates the east side of town and comes alive each September when the state fair draws hundreds of thousands of visitors -- if you're camping during the fair, book your site months in advance. Strataca, an underground salt museum built in a working salt mine 650 feet below the surface, is another unique attraction you won't find anywhere else. Campgrounds in Hutchinson serve both the fairground crowd and year-round travelers, with full-hookup options near the major attractions. The town has all the services RVers need, including grocery stores, diesel fuel, restaurants, and a regional medical center. The Arkansas River flows through the western part of the city, and the Dillon Nature Center offers walking trails and wildlife viewing in a restored prairie and wetland setting. For RVers who enjoy museums, unique attractions, and annual events, Hutchinson delivers an experience that rivals much larger cities at Kansas-level prices. The town's location along the US-50 corridor also makes it a natural stopping point for east-west travelers, and the local Walmart and Dillons grocery stores provide easy restocking opportunities. The Hutchinson area also sits atop one of the world's largest salt deposits, and the underground storage vaults are actually used to preserve Hollywood film reels and important government documents -- a fun bit of trivia to share at the campfire.

Hutchinson's camping costs are moderate for a Kansas city its size, though prices spike significantly during the Kansas State Fair in September. Of the parks in the area, a portion% are free while a portion% charge a nightly fee. During the rest of the year, paid campgrounds charge between $30 and $48 per night for full-hookup sites with 30 or 50-amp electric, water, and sewer. During the state fair, expect to pay premium rates at nearby campgrounds, often double the normal price or more. Weekly and monthly rates are available at some parks for non-fair-season stays and can save 15 to 20 percent off the nightly rate. The free camping options are basic but adequate for self-contained rigs. The Cosmosphere admission ranges from about $10 for the museum only to $25-plus for combination tickets with the IMAX and planetarium. Strataca charges about $20 per adult for the underground tour. Dining in Hutchinson is reasonably priced, and the variety of restaurants means you can eat well without spending much.