Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Within the dry, windswept plains of the Texas Panhandle lies a hidden, welcoming haven where wildlife, migratory birds, and humans find respite from dry grasslands. Through this plain, the Canadian River has cut dramatic 200-foot canyons, or breaks, where humans lived 13 thousand years ago.

419 East Broadway Street
Fritch, TX 79036
United States

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806-857-3151

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Discover Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Nestled in the Texas Panhandle, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is a hidden gem offering water-based fun and rugged canyon adventures. Fed by the Canadian River, this vast reservoir provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, while the surrounding mesas and grasslands invite hikers, campers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Once a lifeline for Indigenous peoples and early settlers, the area remains a place of natural beauty and history, where visitors can cast a line for walleye, paddle along scenic shorelines, or camp under a vast Texas sky.

Explore Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

The largest area of public lands in the Texas panhandle, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area comprises more than 44,978 acres. Located just east of US Highway 287 and approximately 40 miles north of Amarillo, Texas, this landscape holds so many opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural exploration. The Canadian River that flows into Lake Meredith has supported human presence in the area for more than 13,000 years, evidence of which can be found nearby at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. The Nʉmʉnʉʉ, or Comanche, tribe thrived in these lands until they faced annihilation from European diseases and were forcibly moved to a reservation. One of the few areas in the region with trees, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area supports aquatic, wetland, and riparian (river banks) habitats. Enjoy boating, fishing, camping, hunting, off-road vehicle driving, hiking, swimming, and sightseeing as you make memories that last a lifetime.

Ancient adobe ruins under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

6 days across the West

Explore historical sites, dramatic landscapes, and the beauty of the American Southwest with this six-day road trip from Oklahoma to New Mexico.

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Go fishing

The lake is known for walleye, bass, and catfish, with multiple boat ramps and shoreline fishing spots.

Explore the trails

Hike or bike scenic routes like the Mullinaw and Harbor Bay trails, which offer stunning canyon views.

Camp under the stars

Free camping is available at several sites, with some offering scenic overlooks of the lake.

Be prepared for changing water levels

The lake’s depth fluctuates, so check conditions before planning boating or fishing trips.

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Upcoming events

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Alibates Star Party

Jun 21 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Gaze at the Cosmos at the Alibates Star Party on October 18th Fritch, TX – Experience the wonders of the universe at the Alibates Star Party, happening October 18th from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Alibates Visitor Center Parking...

Fireworks and a Movie

Jul 5 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

Fireworks and a Movie Celebrate summer under the stars with a dazzling fireworks display and an exciting movie night at the Fritch Amphitheater at Fritch Fortress on July 5, 2025, at 9:30 PM. The evening kicks off with a spectacular fireworks show...

Monarch Morning

Sep 27 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Celebrate Monarch Conservation at Monarch Morning at Alibates Join us for a morning dedicated to the beauty and conservation of monarch butterflies at Monarch Morning on September 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Alibates Flint Quarries Visitor...

Alibates Star Party

Oct 18 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Gaze at the Cosmos at the Alibates Star Party on October 18th Fritch, TX – Experience the wonders of the universe at the Alibates Star Party, happening October 18th from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Alibates Visitor Center Parking Lot. Guests are...