Tent campsites near Meriden, Kansas offer primitive camping options in the northeastern region of Kansas where the terrain features rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. The area typically experiences hot summers with high humidity and cold winters, with spring and fall providing milder temperatures ideal for camping. Several camping areas provide lakeside access with varying degrees of amenities, mostly catering to those seeking basic tent camping experiences.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes around Meriden provide fishing spots for various species. At Woodridge Park, campers can access the lake via a short hike from the main camping area. As Clay W. notes, "The campground is very well groomed, lots of amenities and it is really close to the lake via a short hike in the woods."
Trail exploration: The area offers several hiking trails of varying difficulty. The 4.5-mile trail at Woodridge Park connects primitive campsites and provides opportunities to discover secluded spots. Josh M. considers it "one of my favorite campgrounds" with "tons of trails" available for exploration.
Sunrise viewing: The easterly orientation of some lakeside campsites creates excellent sunrise viewing opportunities. At Shawnee State Fishing Lake, primitive sites on the east side offer unobstructed views. Alexandra J. from Woodridge Park mentions, "Site 4 is right on the lake and had a beautiful view of the sunrise."
What campers like
Seclusion between sites: The primitive tent sites at several campgrounds offer privacy even during busier periods. James H. describes Woodridge Park as an "awesome spot for weekend camping" with "well maintained" areas both in the main camping area and along trails.
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds experience minimal crowding except during holidays or summer weekends. Nikki S. shares, "We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail. We have myself, husband, son, and dog. Every now and then there will be a rowdy group of guys out there to party but for the most part it's pretty quiet."
Natural settings: The wooded environment creates opportunities for hammock camping and nature observation. Mark R. describes Woodridge Park as "not the typical slice of pie camping great for hammocks," highlighting the natural features that differentiate it from more developed campgrounds.
What you should know
Trail conditions: Trails accessing primitive sites can become difficult to navigate after rainfall. Carly H. cautions about Woodridge Park, "Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!" Appropriate footwear and gear transportation options should be considered.
Site identification: At some locations, camping spots are marked only by scattered fire rings rather than formal designations. Sue V. describes camping at Shawnee State Fishing Lake: "Camping spots on the east side of lake...identified by firerings scattered here and there. Very pretty. Very quiet. Very primitive camping."
Seasonal insect activity: Depending on the time of year, insect activity can impact the camping experience. Harmony H. recounts a mid-June experience: "There had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive (who knew!?), constantly swarming us. At one point there were seven perched on my husband's back, and one landed in a pancake cooking on the grill."
Tips for camping with families
Pack-in preparation: For families hiking to primitive sites, careful packing consideration is necessary. Harmony H. from Woodridge Park notes it was "our first time hiking in to a site (lots of work with our regular gear for a family of four, but worth it!)."
Cleanliness awareness: Some campers report trash issues at certain locations. Nikki S. mentions, "Only downside is I wish people would clean up better after themselves." Teaching children about leave-no-trace principles can help mitigate this ongoing issue.
Water planning: Despite some locations having potable water sources, families should bring sufficient water supplies, especially when using more distant walk-in sites. The distance from water sources to primitive sites requires carrying water in addition to camping gear.
Tips from RVers
Tent-only focus: Most camping near Meriden caters specifically to tent campers with few RV accommodations. For RV campers wanting to visit the area, Adam's Grove provides an option with "30 tent sites with no hookups" according to JC C., though still without typical RV amenities.
Boat access considerations: For those bringing boats to access remote camping areas, check ramp availability. JC C. notes that "Adam's Grove does provide the closet boat ramp if you plan on picking up passengers off the beach near the dam (at Michigan Valley Park)," making it functional for combined boating and camping trips.
