Meade State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks

05/22/2026

Campers and park visitors DO NOT APPROACH FAWNS IN THE PARK! PLEASE GIVE WILDLIFE PLENTY OF SPACE!! ANIMALS ARE UNDER STRESS FROM THE FIRES!

Reminder that it is the time of year for deer to have fawns. It is normal for a mother deer to leave fawns hidden on their own for hours at a time during midday while they forage for food.

Due to the recent fires, ALL wildlife in the park are under extreme stress and there is little cover for fawns to hide. You may notice fawns more visible and out in the open. The mother is likely having to go further than normal to find food. DO NOT APPROACH THESE FAWNS! We have had several fawns spotted in the park, but park staff have confirmed they have seen the fawns with their mothers on early mornings and late evenings.

05/21/2026

Meade State Park reopened at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

The only entrance and exit currently available is from Highway 23.

RESERVATION CANCELLATIONS: Visitors with Memorial Day weekend reservations who choose not to keep their stay may cancel by contacting the park office. Refunds will be issued with no cancellation penalty.

AVAILABLE CAMPSITES: Several sites are now available for Memorial Day weekend. Contact the Park Office at 620‑873‑2572 for information about newly available sites.

CLOSURES:
*Some primitive camping areas remain closed due to fire impacts. Please check with the Park Office about availability.

*The trail system remains closed while assessments continue and hazards are addressed.

LIVESTOCK SAFETY: Please use caution while driving in the area and do not approach livestock. Many cattle displaced from surrounding pastures remain under significant stress. Sightings can be reported to park staff or the Meade County Sheriff’s Office.

05/20/2026

The park has had several sites become available for Memorial Day weekend. Contact the park office at (620) 873-2572 for information.

05/18/2026

Many areas within Meade State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks were spared from major damage, including the visitor center, park shop, and most utility campgrounds. Staff will continue to assess conditions, clean impacted areas, and prepare the park for reopening as soon as it is safe to do so.

Due to current conditions and ongoing response efforts, the entire park will remain closed through Tuesday, May 19. In addition, all primitive camping areas will remain closed until further notice because burned areas within the park are not yet safe for public access.

Park staff will contact all visitors with reservations scheduled for today and tomorrow, and refunds will be processed accordingly. While the intention is to reopen in time for Memorial Day Weekend, we understand some visitors may prefer to cancel upcoming reservations. Guests who wish to cancel may do so by contacting the park office, and no cancellation penalties will be applied.

Many cattle have been displaced from surrounding pastures, and some have been observed in and around the park searching for grass and water. When the park reopens, visitors are urged to use caution when driving in the area and should not approach any livestock they encounter. The animals are under significant stress. Any sightings can be reported to park staff or the Meade County Sheriff’s Office so owners can be notified.

While conditions are improving, wildfire activity can change rapidly. Visitors should continue to monitor local emergency channels and follow all instructions from first responders and park staff.

05/18/2026

UPDATE 2: All roads are back open. The park will reopen with some limited access on Thursday May 21 at 9 AM.

** UPDATE** MEADE STATE PARK IS CLOSED TO ALL VISITORS. Most roads have cones to block vehicles, but many have openings for fire trucks and other emergency response. Please do not attempt to enter the park at all.

Meade State Park remains closed today. More details will be shared as they are available, and all visitors with reservations will be contacted.

05/16/2026

UPDATE: All roads are back open. The park will reopen with some limited access on Thursday May 21 at 9 AM.

Reminder that the park will be closed Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. Please avoid the area as park staff and first responders continue to work in the area. See the post below (original post from Friday, May 15) for more information on the closure. We will post updates as they become available.

UPDATE: All roads are back open. The park will reopen with some limited access on Thursday May 21 at 9 AM.

Meade State Park was fully evacuated last night and is closed until further notice due to ongoing wildfire conditions.

All reservations through Sunday, May 17, 2026 will be canceled and refunded. Parks staff will contact all affected visitors directly with additional information.

Reservations beginning Monday, May 18 and later are currently on hold. If additional cancellations are necessary, Park staff will contact affected visitors directly. At this time, no action is needed from reservation holders.

Park staff and emergency responders will continue assessing conditions to determine when the park can safely reopen. Updates will be shared as soon as they are available.

05/15/2026

UPDATE: All roads are back open. The park will reopen with some limited access on Thursday May 21 at 9 AM.

Meade State Park was fully evacuated last night and is closed until further notice due to ongoing wildfire conditions.

All reservations through Sunday, May 17, 2026 will be canceled and refunded. Parks staff will contact all affected visitors directly with additional information.

Reservations beginning Monday, May 18 and later are currently on hold. If additional cancellations are necessary, Park staff will contact affected visitors directly. At this time, no action is needed from reservation holders.

Park staff and emergency responders will continue assessing conditions to determine when the park can safely reopen. Updates will be shared as soon as they are available.

05/15/2026

UPDATE: All roads are back open. The park will reopen with some limited access on Thursday May 21 at 9 AM.

HWY K23 is still closed at this time, therefore access to the lake is still not possible. Please continue to avoid the area.

05/15/2026

UPDATE: All roads are back open. The park will reopen with some limited access on Thursday May 21 at 9 AM.

Meade State Park has been evacuated. Please avoid the area. K23 south of Meade is closed.