Parks Manager

National parks near Elk County, Kansas

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

The closest national park to Elk County, Kansas is Hot Springs National Park — about 272 mi (437 km) away, or roughly 6 hr 53 min of driving.

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

National parks near Elk County

Parks ranked by distance from Elk County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Hot Springs National Park272 mi (437 km)6 hr 53 minWorth a longer road trip
Gateway Arch National Park340 mi (548 km)8 hr 30 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Sand Dunes National Park508 mi (818 km)12 hr 29 minWorth a longer road trip
Badlands National Park543 mi (874 km)13 hr 18 minWorth a longer road trip
Rocky Mountain National Park543 mi (874 km)13 hr 19 minWorth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park558 mi (899 km)13 hr 40 minWorth a longer road trip
Wind Cave National Park566 mi (911 km)13 hr 51 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park567 mi (912 km)13 hr 52 minWorth a longer road trip
Carlsbad Caverns National Park591 mi (950 km)14 hr 26 minWorth a longer road trip
Guadalupe Mountains National Park621 mi (999 km)15 hr 9 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Elk County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Elk County?

Hot Springs National Park, about 272 mi (437 km) away and roughly 6 hr 53 min of driving.

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

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.