Meade State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Meade Lake State Park is a lush oasis surrounded by agricultural fields. The park, located in Meade Kansas, sits in the southwestern portion of Kansas, an area known for its fertile soil and abundant farm and ranch land. Meade Lake State Park, situated in between Dodge City and Liberal, Kansas, offers travelers and recreational seekers a serene place to stay for an RV escape.
Meade Lake State Park has plenty of opportunities for recreation. Though the location seems remote, the 80-acre lake is accessible for fishing year-round. The park also brings in visitors who are interested in wildlife, nature, and birdwatching. In fact, Meade Lake State Park is noted as one of the best bird watching areas in the state of Kansas. Come and visit the park for the recreation and then stay for camping. RVers and tent campers can stay almost entirely around the circumference of the lake. There are numerous campgrounds to choose from. The facilities have plenty of tent camping spaces and many RV sites with or without hookups.
If you are looking for activities to do outside of the park, visit Meade, where stories of the Wild West and the infamous Dalton Gang are sure to give visitors a glimpse of what life was like over a hundred years ago. The Dalton Gang’s tunnel and hideout still stand, and visitors can tour the facilities and learn about the American Outlaws.
RV Rentals in Meade State Park
Transportation
Driving
Meade Lake State Park is located 56 miles southwest of Dodge City and 186 miles southwest of Wichita, Kansas. From Amarillo, Texas, the park is 188 miles northeast.
The park operates year round with the peak season running from April to October. During busy weekends and holidays, minimum nightly stays may be required.
Visitors coming to the park must pay a daily park fee that is an additional cost added to the price of recreation. Contact the park or visit the website for the current fee schedule.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Meade State Park
Campsites in Meade State Park
Reservations camping
Meade State Park Campground
The Meade State Park Campground is a year-round, pet-friendly facility. The campground consists of different sections or loops, but the park considers the loops distinct areas and not separate campgrounds. The RV sites are both pull through and back in with some driveways accommodating RVs and trailers up to 100 feet in length. Each space is gravel and has an area for boat parking. Please check that your equipment fits within the area provided when you are reserving your site.
Many of the spaces offer waterfront views, and all of the spaces have electrical hookups, water hookups, a picnic table, and grill. Aside from a select few sites that offer 50 amp hookups, the majority of the campground is equipped for 20/30 amp electrical service. The campground has a dump station and allows generator use outside of the posted quiet hours which are from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am. Guests staying in all types of camping equipment must keep food in secure containers as raccoons frequent the area.
Seasonal activities in Meade State Park
In-Season
Fishing
Fish in the 80-acre Meade State Lake year round. The lake is ten-feet deep and has a boat ramp located on the east side near the primitive campground area. Only non-motorized fishing boats or wakeless speeds are permitted on the lake. Fish for flathead catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. A trout permit is required to fish for and possess trout during the trout season. The state of Kansas requires that all anglers 16 and older hold and possess a valid fishing license.
Swimming
People who enjoy the water can visit the swim beach and spend the warm days lakeside. The lake doesn’t have lifeguards on duty, so if you choose to swim, be sure to follow the posted rules and adhere to the safety suggestions. Swimmers should wear shoes that are appropriate for the uneven surfaces of the lake bottom, as the lake often has hidden pockets of rocks and other rough materials. Because Meade Lake is a no wake lake, waves are generally small, but swimmers should always be cautious of changing water conditions and potentially hazardous situations. For swimming beach hours and other information, contact the park.
Trails
Bring your comfortable shoes and your water bottle, and spend time wandering around the tree-lined lake. The park has two paths, both of which are half a mile long, and only permit foot traffic. Access the south trailhead near the southern camping area and the north trailhead near the north camping area. Both trails are open year-round for exercise.
Off-Season
Disc Golf
Disc golf is a family-friendly activity that doesn't require expensive equipment or green fees. The disc golf course at Meade State Park is a nine-hole, grass course through lightly wooded and moderately hilly terrain. Disc golfers should bring their own discs to play the course which uses basket targets. Playing the course is free if you are staying at the park and already paid the day use fee. If you didn’t pay the day use fee, use the self-pay kiosks at the park’s entrance. The course requires players to walk the nine holes, and it is conveniently located near restrooms.
Hunting
Hunters with the appropriate hunting license can use the grounds of Meade State Park to hunt for dove and quail. Although deer, turkey, rabbit, and waterfowl aren’t abundant in the area, some hunters have some luck finding them in the vicinity. Deer hunters may only hunt deer with a shotgun, bow, or muzzleloading firearms. Contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism for hunting requirements and information. For the permitted hunting areas, see a Meade State Park map or speak with a member of the park staff.
Hatchery
The Meade Fish Rearing Station, or fish hatchery, is one of the only hatcheries located in southwestern Kansas. The hatchery, once part of a building built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, is still growing, and by the end of the construction, the hatchery will have nineteen ponds that will produce many of the fish for the area. Currently, the fish hatchery cultures hybrid sunfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, and grass carp. Contact the facility for information about visiting the facility.
