Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 40,818 acres (16,518 ha).

Designation: National Recreation Area. Listed as "Lake Meredith National Recreation Area" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: protected from conversion, multiple uses allowed (GAP 3).

Established: 1990.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Exhibits exhibit
• Biking activity
• Camping activity
• Hiking trails trail

Shows and experiences

• Guided program
• Historic sites & museum

Events

• Small Fry Fishing Tournment

Before you go

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

Park alert: Application for Special Use Permit

Each applicant is required to complete a new "Application For Special Use Permit" prior to any new permit being issued

Park alert: Road Construction Work to begin May 4-October 24

Road construction work to occur Monday thru Friday between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 pm, weather permitting. Expect delays of up to 30 minutes during active construction periods.

Park alert: Roadwork to Begin at Sanford Yake Campground Monday, July 13th

The National Park Service announces that Federal Highway Administration contractors will begin roadway and pavement maintenance at Sanford Yake Campground starting Monday, July 13, 2026. This project will include chip seal, micro seal, micro surfacing, and pavement striping throughout key areas of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. Visitors to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area are encouraged to follow all posted message boards and traffic instructions.

Park alert: Condition of Turkey Creek Trail

The South Turkey Creek Trail, located near the Harbor Bay Campground Area, is currently open for hiking for the first mile; however, the remainder of the trail is underwater and cannot be safely accessed.

Getting there

There are several ways to arrive at Lake Meredith. If you are coming from Amarillo, exit Loop 335 North, then exit Hwy 136 North to Fritch, Texas. Headquarters is located at 419 E. Broadway in Fritch. If coming from the North, take FM 1913 from the Dumas Highway or FM 1913 from US 287. The Amarillo Airport is approximately 35 miles south of Lake Meredith, if traveling by air. Rental cars are available in Amarillo.

Weather & when to go

This area of the Texas Panhandle has a wide variety of weather conditions throughout the year. Winters are cold and windy, with summers being hot and dry. Weather can change rapidly on Lake Meredith. It is usually a good idea to check the weather report and dress accordingly.

Visitor center

Alibates Flint Quarries Bookstore

Visitor center

Alibates Flint Quarries Bookstore

Visitor center

Park Bookstore

Visitor center

Park Bookstore

Visitor center

Park Headquarters

Visitor center

Park Headquarters

Visitor center

Park Headquarters

Visitor center

Park Headquarters — Park Headquarters offers information about both Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. — There are several different ways to get to Lake Meredith. If you are coming from Amarillo, exit Loop 335 North, then exit Hwy 136 North to Fritch. Headquarters is located at 419 E. Broadway in Fritch. If coming from the North you can take FM 1913 from the Dumas Highway or FM 1913 from US 287.

Facilities on the park map

1 first aid kit, 5 restroom, 8 visitor information.

Where to stay

• Harbor Bay Campground This campground is located outside of Fritch at the end of Lakeview Drive off Hwy. 136. The area features both designated sites and open meadow camping. Harbor Bay also features two new trails, which are the Harbor Bay and South Turkey Creek Trails. Picnic tables, shade shelters, and grills are available. No drinking water or flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilets. A beautiful area for water acti · 25 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is paved, although individual campsites do not have paved sidewalks to each site.
• Blue West Campground A caprock campground, overlooking Lake Meredith. Access to shoreline is difficult. This campground is located north of the lake off FM Road 1913. These campgrounds have excellent views of the lake and offer picnic tables and shade shelters. This area is a great place to view the sunsets of the Texas Panhandle. · 30 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is unpaved; accessibility might be difficult.
• Chimney Hollow Campground This remote and primitive area is located near Blue West. It is tucked in the Blue Creek embankment, which provides protection from prevailing winds. There is no drinking water or flush toilets; vault-evaporator only. There are picnic tables available. · 15 campsites
• Fritch Fortress A caprock campground, overlooking Lake Meredith located on Fritch Fortress Road. Open for boaters, campers, swimmers, and other approved water activities. Picnic tables, shade shelters, and grills are available. There is a restroom with potable water, showers, and flush toilets. Pull-through parking is available. · 15 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is paved, although individual campsites do not have paved sidewalks to each site.
• Blue Creek This camping area is an off-road vehicle and horseback riding area on the northwest side of the lake off FM 1913. There is no drinking water or flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilet only. Off-road use is in the creek bed ONLY. This area is surrounded with plush cottonwood and soapberry trees. · 50 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is unpaved; accessibility might be difficult.
• McBride Canyon and Mullinaw Creek Campgrounds These areas are located south of the lake off of State Highway 136. There are large cottonwood trees that provide shade. The Mullinaw Creek area features the expanded Mullinaw Trails System . This trail system is open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. NO OFF ROAD VEHICLES ALLOWED. No drinking water or flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilets only. Picnic tables, shade shelters, and grills. H · 40 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is unpaved; accessibility might be difficult, especially during wet weather.
• Bugbee Canyon This area is located near the Bugbee community off FM 3395. Shoreline fishing is popular and there are a number of shoreline birds to view. There is no drinking water or flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilets only. · 10 campsites · Accessibility: Road through Bugbee Canyon is unpaved; accessibility might be difficult.
• Sanford Yake Campground A caprock campground, overlooking Lake Meredith. 10 RV sites with electric and water hookups available. Reservations can be made by calling 806-865-3131. Picnic tables, shade shelters, and grills are available. Restrooms with potable water, showers, and flush toilets are available. Pull-through parking available. · 51 campsites
• Cedar Canyon Campground This small cove lies between Fritch Fortress and Sanford-Yake campgrounds. The area features beach camping with no individual campsites. This campground can become soft during rainy conditions. Please drive with caution when leaving paved roads. There are restrooms with potable water and flush toilets in the parking lot. · 15 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is unpaved; accessibility might be difficult.
• Rosita Flats This campground consists of dispersed camping along the Canadian River in one of the park's ORV-use areas. ORV operators must have state of Texas Off-Highway Vehicle decal and wear DOT-approved safety gear. · 75 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is unpaved; accessibility might be difficult.
• Plum Creek Campgrounds Four camping grounds are available in this region of Lake Meredith Recreation Area. There are large cottonwoods for shade. These cottonwoods turn various colors of red, yellow, orange, and gold during the fall season. This area is a favorite for hiking, horsebackriding, birding, and wildlife viewing. There is no drinking water or flush toilets available. There are only vault-evaporator toilets ava · 45 campsites · Accessibility: Road through campground is unpaved; accessibility might be difficult.