Van Meter State Park campground
Van Meter State Park
The park features a range of campground amenities, including modern restrooms, hot showers, and a dump station. Campers can choose from 40 campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The park also has a picnic area, playground, and hiking trails.
One interesting fact about the park is that it is home to one of the largest bird migrations in the Midwest. Every fall, thousands of birds pass through the area, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.
The best time of year to visit Van Meter State Park is during the summer months when temperatures average around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfect for swimming, hiking, and other outdoor activities. However, spring and fall are also popular times to visit, with temperatures averaging in the 60s and 70s. Winter is the least popular time to visit due to the colder temperatures and potential for snow.
What's on-site at Van Meter State Park
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Van Meter State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herring Memorial Park - Brunswick | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Carrollton City Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Bogard City Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Maxwell Taylor Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Arrow Rock State Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Van Meter State Park -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wakenda Creek At Carrollton | 25 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Waverly | 43,400 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River At Blue Lick | 447 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Glasgow | 46,700 cfs | → |
| Mussel Fork Near Musselfork | 61 cfs | → |
| Grand River Near Sumner | 1,190 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Van Meter State Park -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lick | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Coloma | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Boonville 4sw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Chillicothe 2s | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Van Meter State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Van Meter State Park
Can I make reservations at Van Meter State Park?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Van Meter State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Van Meter State Park.