Several campgrounds surround Meriden, Kansas, situated in the heart of the northeastern Kansas plains near Perry Lake. Most camping areas sit around 1,000 feet elevation with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Water access defines many of the camping options, with several Corps of Engineers campgrounds offering sites on or near the shoreline of Perry Lake, a 12,500-acre reservoir built for flood control.
What to do
Fishing access: Lake Shawnee County Campground offers both fishing docks and shoreline access for anglers. As one visitor notes, "Topeka KS Lake Shawnee Co. Park Campground This campground is a gem nestled in a beautiful county park. All the sites are paved, level and have full hookups...The park offers so many things- golf, disc golf, fishing with a heated dock, swim beach, boating, several playgrounds, tennis courts, and places to walk and bike, even a botanical garden."
Water recreation: COE Perry Lake Slough Creek Park provides multiple coves and inlets for water activities. A camper explains, "Grew up camping here every year for the 4th of July and one of my favorite places to visit when we visit Kansas, this place is amazing, little coves for swimming and kayaking, pontoons and party cove on larger areas, and clean nice campgrounds, with easy lake access all around."
Hiking options: Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park features multiple hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. One reviewer shares, "Staying 2 weeks and couldn't have been more pleased! Website is little to no help unless visiting in peak season, but the camp hosts and park rangers are the tops. Visiting in non peak is as easy as driving in, finding a spot and paying your fees. Full bath houses, disc golf, archery range, and an abundance of hiking all around the camps."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Rock Creek (KS) offers camping on a peninsula with ample space between sites. A camper shares, "This campground is beautiful. You can view the lake from just about every spot. The facilities are well cared for and the volunteer staff is amazing."
Clean facilities: Woodridge Park maintains clean, simple facilities even in its primitive areas. One visitor notes, "The pit toilets that are very basic but honestly no worse than what I've seen at some paid campsites." Another adds, "Woodridge is never over crowded unless it's a holiday, so more often than not you could camp the whole weekend and potentially not see another person."
Level sites: Bloomington East - Clinton Lake features level, well-maintained sites suitable for various camping setups. A camper mentions, "Paved roads are great for taking a walk or riding bikes and make it easy to move from one place to another within the campground. Our camping spot offered significant shade and a large grassy area for setting up chairs, cooking equipment, and outdoor games."
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others operate first-come, first-served. At Prairie Clover Campground, "Visiting in non peak is as easy as driving in, finding a spot and paying your fees."
Weather considerations: Summer heat can be intense in northeastern Kansas. Many campers recommend water activities to cool down. One camper at Topeka / Capital City KOA noted, "There is a nice, but small, salt water swimming pool that was refreshing after driving 8 hours."
Traffic and noise: Some campgrounds experience more noise than others. A camper at Lake Shawnee County Campground warns, "If you're looking for a remote getaway, this isn't it. Lots of people and just on the edge of Topeka. It is a nice family campground though."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Lake Shawnee, there are "several playgrounds" throughout the park, while Topeka / Capital City KOA has a "nice playground for the kids, beautiful pool and connected pavilion."
Room for activities: Look for sites with open grassy areas. At Bloomington East, the layout "made it easy for children to move freely and safely among campsites and to restroom facilities and the playground."
Kid-friendly introduction to camping: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Meriden provide amenities that make camping with children easier. As one Lake Shawnee camper noted, "Nice way to introduce kids to camping!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Deer Creek Valley RV Park offers comprehensive services for RVers. A visitor comments, "Just stayed 1 night here on our way from Denver to Gatlinburg. The hosts were so nice and organized…texting us late check in info. The sites were all nice and wide, level, and pull through...such an easy set up!"
Site leveling: Check campground reviews for information about site levelness. At Deer Creek Valley RV Park, sites are "level concrete pads with hook ups that worked!"
Dog-friendly options: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Meriden include specific dog amenities. One Deer Creek Valley RV Park visitor appreciated the "huge grassy enclosed dog run which is priceless traveling across country with two dogs."
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