Camping options near Plains, Kansas include several established sites within 30 miles of town. The region sits at approximately 2,750 feet elevation in the High Plains, characterized by flat terrain with occasional sand hills and river valleys. Summer temperatures frequently reach over 95°F, while winter nights can drop below 15°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons for tent campers.
What to do
Fish for catfish: Meade State Park Campground offers lake fishing opportunities with reported catfish catches. "The small store sells snacks and bait. They even have an ice cream truck that makes the rounds! Huge catfish have been caught here," notes Keri F. about the park's fishing options.
Explore sand dunes: Beaver Dunes Park Campground in Oklahoma features unique sand dunes just 45 miles southwest of Plains. "Surprise: Oklahoma has sand dunes. You can rent a buggy, go hiking along them, or go fishing in a small stocked pond," shares Dan N. The park offers an unexpected landscape feature in the region.
Hiking trails: Arkalon Park near Liberal has miles of trails along the Cimarron River. "Great place for peaceful camping. Has big playground for kids and miles of hiking trails, even lakes to fish," reports Chris B. The park closes seasonally from October 16 to March 31.
What campers like
Shade options: In an area where trees can be scarce, several campgrounds offer valuable shade. "We tent camped at Meade State Park in July 2022. I was the only camper in the Larrabee campground. I picked site 143 because trees almost totally shade it," shares Jacob W.
Swimming areas: Meade State Park Campground has a beach area for cooling off in summer heat. "I arrived around 4pm and spread out my gear to dry after camping in the rain in Iowa the previous night. It was sunny and breezy and my stuff dried quickly. Then I walked 200 yards to the beach and swam in the lake," notes Jacob W.
Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds in the region offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. "I love going to a place where you hear nothing but the birds and other animals around you. Very peaceful," says Leah P. about Meade State Park Campground.
What you should know
Biting insects: Several campgrounds report issues with biting flies and gnats, particularly in evening hours. "Only complaint is insects that were bad after dark - like gnats or something that didn't bite but were a nuisance," reports Jennifer S. at Meade State Park.
Limited shade: Most campgrounds have minimal natural shade. At Western Star RV Ranch, Scott K. notes it's a "Nice, no frills, rv park with friendly staff. Great place for a stop over... Gravel sites with grass surrounding the park."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "After a scary, mushy slip slide drive through deep soft red dirt, we arrived to the bottom of the Cimarron River valley for an overnight stay," warns Jennifer B. about Arkalon Park.
Limited facilities: Many smaller campgrounds have restricted amenities. "Small rig only. I'm here in January, but looks like supposed to park on the grass," notes a reviewer about Meade City Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "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. about Meade State Park.
Swimming options: During summer months, swimming areas provide recreation for families. "Amazing swimming area. Helpful staff... They have many dates for family friendly activities that include trick or treating in Oct," shares Keri F.
Budget camping: Prairie Wind RV Park in Montezuma offers affordable rates. "Perfect for an overnight stay, it has 30 and 50 amp hookups, sewer and water. All for only $20/night," notes Christopher R., making it one of the best places to camp near Plains, Kansas for families on a budget.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pads: Look for campgrounds with solid parking surfaces. "Level concrete pads and covered picnic table," notes Les G. about Arkalon Park, providing stability for RVs.
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds near Plains offer full hookups. "Found this on the app. Showed up and it's totally slept on!! I will be back because I regularly drive through the area on my way to Arizona," shares Will R. about Meade City Park.
Wind protection: The region experiences significant wind. "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," warns Matthew about camping at Beaver Dunes Park, highlighting an important consideration for top-heavy RVs.
