Exploring one of the 28 Kansas State Parks provides visitors an opportunity to see the natural beauty of this amazing state. The state parks system includes a rail trail, historic structures and events.
Your browser is not supported for this experience.
We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
12165 South V Rd. Meade, KS 67864
Known as the “Oasis on the Plains,” Meade State Park comprises 803 acres of shortgrass prairie and recreational facilities situated around the 80-acre Meade State Fishing Lake. Visitors enjoy RV sites with hookups, primitive sites, as well as day-use areas, and a swimming beach that features a new beach-side children’s recreation area, Wild Wood Playground.
The state purchased the property in 1925 and the dam was built between 1927 and 1928 by hand, with mule skids and a couple of small tractors. The lake opened in 1929, but work continued in the area with the Civilian Conservation Corps/Works Projects Administration stationed there from 1938 to 1943.
Modern Cabins |
0 |
Primitive Cabins |
0 |
Primitive Campsites |
54 |
Electric and Water Hookups |
42 |
Full Hookups |
0 |
Exploring one of the 28 Kansas State Parks provides visitors an opportunity to see the natural beauty of this amazing state. The state parks system includes a rail trail, historic structures and events.
Initially constructed in the 1930s, the Meade Fish Hatchery is the only hatchery in southwest Kansas. Fish are raised in 16 ponds. Twelve of these ponds have been chemically lined. All ponds cover 23.52 surface acres (89.97 acre-feet). Largemouth and smallmouth bass are spawned, eggs hatched, and fry raised in an intensive propagation building. Walleye eggs, fry, fingerlings, and intermediates are raised in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), tanks in another building. Channel catfish, sunfish sp., largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, koi carp, and grass carp are among the fish species cultured at the Meade facility. Tours are available by appointment by calling (620) 873-2701. The best times to see fish are April and May and late September to early October.
Dorothy's House was built in 1907 and has been carefully restored to replicate the house shown in The Wizard of Oz . After visiting Dorothy…
With over 100 aircrafts on display, whether your interest is general aviation, warbirds, helicopters or experimentals and homebuilts…
Enjoy a glimpse into the lives of Meade County pioneers with stories and memorabilia from the frontier days. Stroll down our boardwalk and…
Do I need a permit to visit Meade State Park?
You'll need to purchase a vehicle permit for ANY motorized vehicle when visiting Meade State Park or have a valid annual vehicle permit for daily visits or have a valid State Park Passport.
A camping permit is REQUIRED to occupy any designated campsites. Fourteen-day, seasonal and annual camping passes are also available online as well as at the state park offices
Camping Passes are also available online as well as at the State Park Offices.
Meade Park Office - (620) 873-2572
Park PermitsWhere can I buy the permits needed to get into Meade State Park?
Vehicle permits, camping, and utility permits are required year-round and are available online, from the office, or self-pay station.
Meade Park Office - (620) 873-2572
Purchase PermitsDo you have to pay to get into Meade State Park?
Are dogs allowed at Meade State Park?
Yes, all pets must always be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tethered chain no longer than 10 feet. They are not allowed on swimming beaches or swimming areas that are delineated by buoys or other markers or in public buildings or structures. Dogs participating in authorized activities or assisting the visually or hearing impaired are not subject to these restrictions.
Park RulesCan I fly a drone at Meade State Park?
Meade State Park does NOT have any designated areas for drone flying. Launching a drone on Meade State Park property is prohibited.
More About DronesCan I hunt at Meade State Park?
Hunting is NOT allowed anywhere within Meade State Park. Hunting is only permissible on the nearby public hunting area. Questions pertaining to hunting and the wildlife area should be directed to the area's Public Lands Manager at (620) 369-2384.
Hunting LicenseCan I fish at MeadeState Park?
Yes, fishing is permitted at Meade State Park. Questions pertaining to fishing should be directed to the Meade Park Office - (620) 873-2572.
Fishing LicenseThese public lands are a perfect escape no matter what your interest may be - hiking, camping, wildlife watching, fishing, mountain biking…
A century ago Kansans took the train from town to town, watching the countryside lazily pass as they road the rails.
Within Eisenhower State Park sits 1,000 acres of some of the last wild prairie in eastern Kansas.
A few minutes south of the hustle and hassle of I-70 in western Kansas, life goes relaxingly slow at Cedar Bluff State Park.
El Dorado State Park’s 4,000 acres makes it Kansas’ largest. Yet you can be as secluded or social as you like amid landscapes…
Visit the newest State Park in Kansas - Lehigh Portland Trails, a vast network of hiking and biking trails around Elk's Lake in Iola.
Tuttle Creek State Park is a story of two special places. One sits where both land and lake are expansive, with a campground on classic…
Long before civilization, native people came to be healed within the sacred waters of Waconda Springs. The springs are now deep within Glen…
It’s the kind of place where you can travel many miles in near silence as your hiking boots or bike tires move over a surface velvety…
Kansas’ largest, Milford Reservoir has enough shoreline to reach from Kansas City to Salina. The waters within that 161 miles of land…
Rather than water, it’s the work of the wind that draws people to Sand Hills State Park.
Where the Ozarks spill into Kansas, in the Great Depression the government gave jobs to hundreds of destitute men with the Civilian…
For decades visitors have come to Pomona State Park by automobile. Now, they’re also coming by horseback and bicycle.
Hillsdale State Park is only minutes away from the 2 million-plus people of the greater Kansas City area. It’s a place where…
On the Kansas River kayaks and canoes often float in solitude as they pass towering cottonwoods, nesting bald eagles, kingfishers, otters…
Clinton State Park is a 1,400 acre island of unspoiled nature amid the suburban sprawl of northeast Kansas.
Far from any sizable cities, many might consider Webster State Park “in the middle of nowhere.” Those who know the park will…
Just north of Scott City lays a stunning canyon nestled among the prairie and natural springs.
The park’s 1,900 acres are laced with good trails and dotted with shaded cabins and campsites. In the reservoir you can sample some of…
Life’s easy at Fall River State Park, where crowds are few but recreational possibilities are many.
Carson and Custer once explored the jagged prairies in what’s now Kanopolis State Park on horseback.
On the high plains of northwest Kansas, Prairie Dog State Park is a rare and welcome place to play in the water and shade.
Southeast Kansas’ Cross Timbers region is a narrow, rugged, 50-mile finger of steeply timbered hillsides that rise to towering…
Welcome to the "Badlands of Kansas" - Little Jerusalem State Park in Western Kansas is truly a sight to see!
Perry State Park sits well within Kansas, but with long ridges of hickory and assorted oaks it wouldn’t look out of place in the…
Terms like “world-class” and “one of the nation’s best” are usually unwarranted. Both are accurate for Wilson…
It’s been called the “Serengeti of the Sky”, when hundreds of thousands of northward migrating snow geese arrive at…
Elk City State Park sits in a gorgeous valley with natural greatness on both sides.
Just south of Salina stands one of Kansas' many natural wonders - Mushroom Rocks.