RV parks near Meriden, Kansas sit at elevations between 950-1200 feet with seasonal temperature fluctuations from below freezing in winter to humid 90°F summers. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though campers should prepare for Kansas thunderstorms from April through September. Cell service varies significantly by carrier, with Verizon typically providing the strongest coverage throughout the region.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Perry State Park Campground offers multiple fishing locations around its lake. "We had a wonderful stay! Wonderful pull through spots, great views, and closer to the boat ramp!" notes a camper about the Lake View Loop area, which provides convenient water access.
Urban exploration: Visit downtown Lawrence from Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA. A reviewer points out its convenient location: "It's not the best I've ever been to, but it's a great family campground with beautiful views." The campground provides easy access to both Lawrence and Kansas City attractions.
Museum visits: Several unique museums lie within short drives of Meriden area campgrounds. A camper at Deer Creek Valley RV Park highlighted the "Central Topeka location minutes from the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, the Capitol, the Topeka Zoo, and the Evel Knevel Museum."
What campers like
Wide RV sites: Many RV parks in the Meriden area feature spacious sites. A camper at Deer Creek Valley RV Park states, "Great spot, the pull-thru RV pads are huge and the grass in between is sizable for each." This makes setup easier for larger rigs.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks highly with visitors to Walnut Grove RV Park. "A little hidden Gem...Clean 24-7 bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities. A re-visit and stay is a must. Close to stores, eats and fuel for RV's," reports one reviewer.
Pet amenities: Dog owners appreciate designated pet areas. A Deer Creek Valley visitor noted, "Huge grassy enclosed dog run which is priceless traveling across country with two dogs. The price was very decent and it served us well for an easy nightly stop."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad disturbances. Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA receives consistent mentions: "This is a lovely campsite but we'll sadly never stay here again - because trains passed by really loudly all night long - it finally stopped at about 5am."
Site spacing: Proximity between sites varies significantly. At Topeka Capital City KOA, a camper reported, "Tight spots. Nice pool and game room. Pretty pond. Friendly staff. Our spot backed to I-70. Also some plane noise."
Seasonal events: Some campgrounds offer regular activities. At Basswood Country RV Resort, "Every weekend there are organized activities such as arts and crafts, fishing contests, duck races and frozen t-shirt contests in the pool, and a Saturday evening outdoor movie."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. A family staying at Basswood Country RV Resort appreciated that it "provides amenities that are great for entertaining children, including a swimming pool and splash park, two playgrounds, a basketball goal, and fishing."
Water activities: Pools provide welcome relief during hot Kansas summers. A Deer Creek Valley visitor shared, "Kids loved playing on the playground in the morning while we packed up. Plenty of grass and a little dog run area too for our pup. We'd definitely stay here again!"
Entertainment options: Game rooms and organized activities keep children occupied. According to a Topeka Capital City KOA guest: "They have a saltwater Swimming pool. They also offer a weight room and an adorable activities room with air hockey, a library, & a pool table. There is also a scenic walking trail."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV parks feature level sites with concrete pads. A reviewer at Deer Creek Valley mentioned, "Clean level concrete pads with hook ups that worked! A pool that was warm enough to get all the way into (but still truly refreshing!)."
Hookup positioning: Consider utility layouts when selecting sites. At Perry State Park Campground, "Water on each site which is a luxury. Super easy to pull in and set up. Plenty of spots."
Premium site options: Some parks offer upgraded sites with more space. At Walnut Grove RV Park, one camper explained, "We stopped here for the night and had a great stay. We did pay for the premium pull through site, so we had more room. Everything worked great, the spot was on a slight hill - but wasn't terrible to level out. Would stay here again."
