Best Dispersed Camping near Meriden, KS

State fishing lakes near Meriden, Kansas provide several dispersed camping options. Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake offers lakeside camping with some designated areas. The sites include pit toilets and fire rings, though maintenance varies. A 7-day stay limit applies rather than the standard 14 days in Kansas. The area permits alcohol and allows both tent and RV camping, though the gravel roads and pull-offs are not suitable for larger vehicles.

Osage State Fishing Lake provides free dispersed camping with waterfront sites that accommodate various camping styles. The lake features boat-in, drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access points with picnic tables and fire rings. According to one visitor, "camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there's lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy." Despite a review claiming big-rig accessibility, most sites better suit smaller vehicles. Both Atchison and Pottawatomie State Fishing Lakes offer additional dispersed camping options in the region, with Pottawatomie allowing big rigs despite having fewer amenities.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Meriden, Kansas (4)

    1. Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    4 Reviews
    Tonganoxie, KS
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 887-6882

    "There's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground."

    "I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable."

    2. Osage State Fishing Lake

    10 Reviews
    Scranton, KS
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 672-5911

    "So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic!"

    "Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend."

    3. Atchison State Fishing Lake

    2 Reviews
    Atchison, KS
    37 miles

    "Clean pit toilets. Will definitely be back."

    "I took my skoolie there, and I thought we were supposed to park near the cabin, however, it's the part to the left of the cabin that we are supposed to camp at."

    4. Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake

    1 Review
    Westmoreland, KS
    49 miles

    "Beautiful scenery, nice lake. Everything is perfect here. The only thing that make it better is if they had trash cans, potable water and a grey water dump."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Meriden, KS

16 Photos of 4 Meriden Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Meriden, KS

13 Reviews of 4 Meriden Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Beautiful place - big rig friendly

    So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic! Beautiful area, campfire rings in several locations, and our 43' Rv navigated smoothly (well, husband navigated smoothly!) Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads....leave no trace, and enjoy!

  • Lucy P.
    May. 13, 2024

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Very pretty, mostly peaceful

    We found a great spot for our van that was right on the water and mostly secluded. Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill. Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend.

    Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there’s lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy. No trash so pack it out.

  • John G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Quiet spot

    This is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. The pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    7-day limit. No trash cans or water, but it's free.

    There's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground. Everything is as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump, but that's usually rare to find water and a grey dump at a free site.

    I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave. So I'm going to treat all Kansas places as a 7-day limit.

  • Evan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    pretty lake views

    Pretty lake views, easy to drive in and find pretty private sites, and some fire ring

  • Loren L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Quick, easy, clean

    On a road trip off the 70, pulled over to camp for the night! Quiet, only a few other campers around.. lovely nighttime sounds. Firepit. Some trash from other campers.. remember to pack it in and pack it out!

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2024

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Nice and quiet

    Camped here several days in late June. The were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light. I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable.

  • Reagan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2025

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Great Site

    This site was easy to find and had a beautiful view of the lake! There is a brochure available online to help find the designated camping areas! We were the only people in the area we parked at! It even had a privy to use for the bathroom!


Guide to Meriden

State fishing lakes near Meriden, Kansas offer primitive camping options with varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Located in the northeastern part of the state where the terrain transitions from the Flint Hills to the glaciated region, these lakes provide rustic camping opportunities throughout most of the year. Overnight temperatures can drop below freezing from late October through April, and summer humidity creates challenging conditions during July and August.

What to do

Fishing year-round: Osage State Fishing Lake attracts anglers throughout different seasons with waterfront campsites positioned near prime fishing spots. "It seems that every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place," notes camper Ray L.

Sunrise viewing: Morning light reflects beautifully off the lakes, particularly for early risers. One visitor to Osage State Fishing Lake shares, "Woke up to a beautiful sunrise" after setting up camp late in the evening without disturbing other campers due to well-spaced sites.

Nighttime stargazing: Clear skies away from urban light pollution create excellent stargazing conditions at many of the lakes. At Atchison State Fishing Lake, one camper reports, "We're the only ones camping here. Some people come to fish during the day but it's dead at night."

What campers like

Quiet weekday stays: Most fishing lakes experience lower visitor counts Monday through Thursday. According to one Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake visitor, "Camped here several days in late June. The were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light."

Privacy options: Several lakes offer secluded spots away from main camping areas. At Osage State Fishing Lake, a camper advises: "Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there's lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy."

Easy access for overnight stops: The fishing lakes provide convenient options for travelers passing through the area. "On a road trip off the 70, pulled over to camp for the night! Quiet, only a few other campers around.. lovely nighttime sounds," reports one Osage visitor.

What you should know

Shorter stay limits: Kansas state fishing lakes near Meriden enforce shorter camping durations than typically expected. At Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake, a camper warns: "I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave."

Limited waste facilities: None of the fishing lakes provide trash receptacles, requiring campers to pack out all waste. "No trash so pack it out," reminds an Osage Lake visitor, while another notes: "Some trash from other campers.. remember to pack it in and pack it out!"

Weekend crowding: Visitor patterns shift significantly between weekdays and weekends at these rustic camping areas near Meriden, Kansas. A camper at Osage State Fishing Lake observed: "Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill."

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom location planning: Position family campsites strategically in relation to toilet facilities. One camper at Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake notes: "Not many insects, nice and secluded. Beautiful scenery, nice lake. Everything is perfect here. The only thing that make it better is if they had trash cans, potable water and a grey water dump."

Fire safety: While fire rings are available at most sites, fire conditions vary seasonally, and preparation is essential. "Firepit. Some trash from other campers.. remember to pack it in and pack it out!" notes one Osage Lake visitor, highlighting the need to clean fire areas before use.

Toilet condition awareness: Facility maintenance varies throughout the week and seasons. An Osage Lake camper reports: "Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Many of these lakes have limitations for larger recreational vehicles. A review for Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake warns: "This is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. Not suitable for larger vehicles."

Road grade considerations: Some access roads require careful navigation for larger vehicles. At Atchison State Fishing Lake, a visitor with a converted school bus shares: "We drove down 322nd Rd. to get to our site near the bathrooms across from the maintenance building. That road is gradual enough that I was able to get my short bus down it safely without tipping over."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Meriden, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Meriden, KS is Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Meriden, KS?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Meriden, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.