Contrasting spectacularly with its surroundings, Lake Meredith lies on the dry and windswept High Plains of the Texas Panhandle in a region known as Llano Estacado, or Staked Plain. Lake Meredith was created by Sanford Dam on the Canadian River and now fills many breaks whose walls are crowned with white limestone caprock, scenic buttes, pinnacles, and red- brown, wind-eroded coves. Above lies the mesquite, prickly pear, yucca, and grasses of arid plains. And up the sheltered creek beds stand cottonwoods, soapberry, and sandbar willows. The National Park Service administers the recreation area under a cooperative agreement with Bureau of Reclamation. Lake Meredith serves the area as popular water recreation area.

VISITATION:

1.7 million visitors a year

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LOCATION:

30 miles north of Amarillo, Texas, on Hwy. 136

ADDRESS:

Superintendent,
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area,
P.O. Box 1460,
Fritch, Texas 79036
Email us at: LAMR_Interpretation@nps.gov

TELEPHONE:

806/857-3151

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Administrative Offices: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Park open 24 hrs.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Four Seasons: Cool and rainy to hot and dry
Winter lows: 0 - 10 degrees F,
Summer highs: 95 - 105 degrees F,
Annual rainfall: 20 inches

DIRECTIONS:

Access to the developed areas (east end of lake) by Texas Hwy 136; access to the undeveloped areas (west end of lake) by U.S. Hwy 287 North of Amarillo, Texas

TRANSPORTATION:

Airline service and car rentals in Amarillo, Texas
Trailways bus service via Amarillo

FEES, COSTS RATES:

No entrance or camping fees are charged.

Daily boating fee: $4.00. Three day boating pass: $10.00. Yearly boating pass: $40.00. The yearly pass is a sticker affixed to the boat. The yearly pass is not transferable from boat to boat.

All vessels that require state registration (TX numbers) are subject to the fee. This includes personal water craft such as jet skis, wet cycles, and similar craft.

The Golden Eagle Passport only provides discounts at park that collect entrance fees. The Golden Age or Golden Access Passports provide a 50% discount on boating fees.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Camping (Cedar Canyon, Bugbee, Blue West, Blue Creek Bridge, Sandford-Yake, Fritch Fortress, Harbor Bay, McBridge Canyon); hunting under Texas Game and Fish regulations; water activities: swimming allowed below Sandford Dam in summer only, fishing (also under Texas Game and Fish regulations), water skiing, scuba diving, boat rentals, marina; horse back riding; off-road vehicle use areas (Blue Creek Bridge, Rosita).

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

No visitor center/exhibits
Headquarters located in Fritch, Texas with a small book store.

Trails, Roadways:

No hiking trails; paved roads to boat launch ramps and campgrounds; dirt roads beyond west end of the lake.

Programs, Activities:

Guided tours of Alibates Flint Quarries available June 1 - September 1; by appointment only during the winter months

Lodging and Camping Facilities:

Motels and commercial campgrounds in the nearby towns. Camping in the park: Cedar Canyon, Bugbee, Blue West, Blue Creek Bridge, Sandford-Yake, Fritch Fortress, Harbor Bay, McBridge Canyon.

Food, Supplies:

Available in nearby towns

Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

One concession operated marina located at Sandford-Yake.

Accessibility:

Some areas are equipped for the handicapped. Contact the park for more information.

Special Needs:

Cultural and natural resource management activities

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Fishing, boating, camping, picnicing.

Boat rentals available from Forever Resorts at the marina at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

No reservations required. Special use permits are required for all groups over 15 people-including activities like camping, picnicing, water activities, etc. Call or write for permits in advance. Permits may also be obtained from Park Headquarters located in Fritch, Texas.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Boating and water skills recommended

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:

Contact park for current information

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Congestion at boat launch ramps and campgrounds during busy summer months

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Palo Duro Canyon State Park 56 miles distant

Bureau of Reclamation information on Sanford Dam and Lake Meredith

Canadian River Municipal Water Authority This site contains excellent photographs and general lake information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Major oil, gas production and petrochemical area

Last Updated:Monday, 22-Mar-99 13:12:04
http://www.nps.gov/lamr//lamr/