🌤 Weather at Meade State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–79 °F | 60–94 °F | 29–84 °F | 19–49 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Meade, 10 mi away, elevation 2,504 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
High Plains Oasis in Southwest Kansas — 443 Acres With a 55-Acre Spring-Fed Lake on the Shortgrass Prairie, Campground With Electric and Water Hookup Sites for Tents and RVs, Primitive Camping Areas, Fishing for Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Bluegill and Crappie in the Spring-Fed Lake, Boat Ramp (Trolling Motors Only — No Gas Motors Permitted), Sandy Swimming Beach, Nature Trail Through Mixed Grassland and Riparian Habitat, Spectacular Turkey Vulture Roost at Nearby Dalton Gang Hideout Historic Site, One of the Most Remote and Peaceful State Parks in Kansas, Near Meade Meade County Southwest Kansas
Meade State Park is a 443-acre state park with a 55-acre spring-fed lake near Meade, Meade County, southwest Kansas, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). The park features a campground with electric and water hookup sites for tents and RVs, primitive camping areas for a more rustic experience, fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie in the spring-fed 55-acre lake, a boat ramp (trolling motors only — no gas motors permitted on the lake), a sandy swimming beach popular during hot Kansas summers, a nature trail through mixed shortgrass prairie and riparian habitat along the lake margins, picnic areas and reservable shelters, a playground, and proximity to the Dalton Gang Hideout — a famous Wild West historic site and roadside attraction in the town of Meade.
Meade State Park is a genuine oasis on the High Plains — the 55-acre spring-fed lake sits in a shallow valley surrounded by rolling shortgrass prairie that stretches to the horizon in every direction. In late summer and early fall, hundreds of turkey vultures gather in a massive communal roost at the nearby Dalton Gang Hideout — a surreal wildlife spectacle that draws birdwatchers from across Kansas.
The park is rarely crowded — making it one of the most peaceful and remote state park camping experiences in Kansas. The dark skies in this corner of the state are exceptional for stargazing.
Things to Do
- Fishing — bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie
- Camping — electric/water hookups + primitive
- Swimming — sandy beach
- Boating — trolling motors only
- Nature trail — shortgrass prairie
- Stargazing — dark High Plains skies
- Nearby — Dalton Gang Hideout, turkey vultures
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Meade, Meade County, SW Kansas |
| Size | 443 acres |
| Lake | 55 acres — spring-fed |
| Camping | Electric/water hookups + primitive |
| Boating | Trolling motors only — no gas |
| Managed By | Kansas DWPT |
| Coordinates | 37.2333° N, 100.3167° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a boat motor at Meade State Park?
Only trolling motors are permitted at Meade State Park — gas motors are not allowed on the 55-acre spring-fed lake. The 443-acre park near Meade in remote southwest Kansas offers a campground with electric and water hookups plus primitive sites, fishing for bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie, a sandy swimming beach, a nature trail through shortgrass prairie, and exceptionally dark skies for stargazing. The nearby Dalton Gang Hideout in Meade hosts a spectacular turkey vulture roost in late summer. Managed by Kansas DWPT.
Last updated: May 2026
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Lake Scott State Park (elsewhere in the state) or Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park (elsewhere in the state).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Kansas state parks online at reserveamerica.com.
⛺ Camping at Meade State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | Areas data by area: South 2 primitive (reservable); West 20 primitive + 8 water/electric (reservable, ADA camping available); East 9 primitive + 8 water/electric (reservable, ADA camping available); two Day Use areas with no camping; Campground 5 primitive (reservable). |
|---|---|
| Pets | Statewide KDWP rule: pets must be restrained by leash, chain or kennel no longer than 10 feet and are not allowed on swimming beaches or in buildings. |
| Reservations | Book via KSOutdoors.com/CampItKS.gov or ReserveAmerica.com, by phone, or at the park office, (620) 873-2572. Vehicle permits required. General KDWP cancellation policy applies. |
| Special sites | Meade State Park reopened at 9:00am on Thursday, May 21, 2026 after a wildfire; some primitive campgrounds and the trail system remained closed as of the reopening pending fire-impact assessment, and the park office should be checked for current availability. The only entrance and exit is from Highway 23. |
Camping questions about Meade State Park
Can you camp at Meade State Park?
Areas data by area: South 2 primitive (reservable); West 20 primitive + 8 water/electric (reservable, ADA camping available); East 9 primitive + 8 water/electric (reservable, ADA camping available); two Day Use areas with no camping; Campground 5 primitive (reservable).
How do you reserve a campsite at Meade State Park?
Book via KSOutdoors.com/CampItKS.gov or ReserveAmerica.com, by phone, or at the park office, (620) 873-2572. Vehicle permits required. General KDWP cancellation policy applies.
Are pets allowed at the Meade State Park campground?
Statewide KDWP rule: pets must be restrained by leash, chain or kennel no longer than 10 feet and are not allowed on swimming beaches or in buildings.
Source: ksoutdoors.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Meade State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Kansas state parks, including trails and campgrounds, but must always be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tether no longer than 10 feet.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Hand-held leash or tethered chain no longer than 10 feet (or confined in camper/cage)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed on swimming beaches or in buoyed swimming areas, or in public buildings
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed inside cabins except in designated pet-friendly cabins (e.g. at Lovewell, Eisenhower, El Dorado, Clinton) with a $50 pet fee; at other cabins pets must stay outside
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $50 pet fee for designated pet-friendly cabins
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Dogs participating in authorized activities (such as hunting) or assisting the visually or hearing impaired are exempt
Are dogs allowed at Meade State Park?
Pets are allowed in Kansas state parks, including trails and campgrounds, but must always be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tether no longer than 10 feet. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via ksoutdoors.gov. More: Kansas state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
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