Parks Manager

National parks near Douglas County, Kansas

Douglas County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Lawrence — it reaches the same parks.

The closest national park to Douglas County, Kansas is Gateway Arch National Park — about 273 mi (439 km) away, or roughly 6 hr 54 min of driving.

Nothing here is a comfortable day trip — the nearest parks are better as an overnight or a weekend.

National parks near Douglas County

Parks ranked by distance from Douglas County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Gateway Arch National Park273 mi (439 km)6 hr 54 minWorth a longer road trip
Hot Springs National Park330 mi (530 km)8 hr 15 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park467 mi (751 km)11 hr 30 minWorth a longer road trip
Badlands National Park501 mi (807 km)12 hr 19 minWorth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park511 mi (822 km)12 hr 33 minWorth a longer road trip
Wind Cave National Park534 mi (859 km)13 hr 5 minWorth a longer road trip
Rocky Mountain National Park564 mi (908 km)13 hr 48 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Sand Dunes National Park565 mi (909 km)13 hr 49 minWorth a longer road trip
Voyageurs National Park669 mi (1077 km)16 hr 17 minWorth a longer road trip
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park673 mi (1083 km)16 hr 23 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Douglas County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Douglas County?

Gateway Arch National Park, about 273 mi (439 km) away and roughly 6 hr 54 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Douglas County in a day?

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.