Campers visiting Meade, Kansas encounter continental climate conditions with hot summers, cold winters, and significant seasonal temperature variations. The region sits at approximately 2,500 feet elevation amid the High Plains, where strong winds frequently sweep across the landscape. Camping options near Meade span a 30-mile radius, with availability fluctuating during peak summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: Arkalon Park offers miles of hiking trails through the Cimarron River valley. "Great place for peaceful camping. Has big playground for kids and miles of hiking trails, even lakes to fish," notes Chris B. The park combines recreational opportunities with natural scenery.
Off-road adventures: Travel 45 miles southwest to Beaver Dunes Park Campground for dune exploration. "Surprise: Oklahoma has sand dunes. You can rent a buggy, go hiking along them, or go fishing in a small stocked pond," explains Dan N. The dunes provide a unique contrast to typical Kansas terrain.
Swimming activities: During summer months, Meade State Park provides designated swimming areas. "Amazing swimming area. Helpful staff. Small store for snacks and bait. The even have an ice cream truck that makes the rounds!" shares Keri F., highlighting additional amenities that complement water recreation.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Many campgrounds in the area offer solitude, especially on weekdays. "We love going to a place where you hear nothing but the birds and other animals around you. Very peaceful," reports Leah P. about Meade State Park. Midweek visits typically provide the most tranquil camping experience.
Astronomy opportunities: The open prairie landscape creates ideal conditions for stargazing. At Western Star RV Ranch, campers appreciate the unobstructed views. "Sunrise and sunsets were gorgeous," remarks Elizabeth S., with the dark skies offering similar nighttime viewing advantages.
Lakeside camping: Water features represent a significant draw despite the semi-arid surroundings. "Camped lakeside for a quick overnight. There were a few people swimming and a few people fishing, a few RVs in the campground, no tents besides mine. Pretty lake, seemed well maintained," shares Jennifer S. about her Meade State Park experience.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Strong winds affect camping comfort throughout the region. At Beaver Dunes Park, Matthew found: "The biggest issue was the wind. I have a rooftop tent, and the wind was blowing approximately 30 to 40 mph gusts the night I was there. After about 15 minutes, I was afraid the tent would collapse on me."
Insect activity: Bugs can be problematic depending on season and time of day. "Only complaint is insects that were bad after dark - like gnats or something that didn't bite but were a nuisance," notes Jennifer S. about Meade State Park.
Limited facilities: Some parks offer minimal services, especially during off-season. At Meade City Park, "It's not clear, when you enter the park, where you can park. After driving around the loop a few times, and observing others doing the same, we finally found a small RV parking sign close to the ground about 1-2 feet up from the ground by the large tree," reports Patti M.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature recreation equipment. At Gunsmoke RV Park, families should note: "Sites 18 and 19 would be good IF you have small children as the playground is right behind 19 and next to 18. Don't reserve these sites if you don't want the noise and activity of kids nearby," advises Lee D.
Swimming safety: Water activities require close supervision. Keri F. shares that Meade State Park has an "amazing swimming area" with staff present, making it more suitable for families with children needing supervision.
Seasonal programming: Some parks offer scheduled activities during peak season. At Meade State Park, "They have many dates for family friendly activities that include trick or treating in Oct," reports Keri F., suggesting families check event calendars when planning visits.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. At Ramblin Rose RV Park & Motel, "The sites are level. We just stopped for an overnighter. The people I talked with were very friendly and helpful. 30 amp sites are $30," notes Beverly M., providing practical information for overnight stops.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer hookups. Christopher R. notes that Prairie Wind RV Park has "30 and 50 amp hookups, sewer and water. All for only $20/night. Each slot is a gravel drive with a concrete pad on the side that has a concrete picnic table."
Highway noise levels: Some RV parks sit close to major roads, affecting noise levels. At Gunsmoke RV Park, "Front section of spots 1-43 are close to the road and it is very noisy. We would highly recommend getting a site in the back. Sites 50-80. Less noise, long pull throughs and nice wide grass areas," advises Missy A.
