← Back to Search

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Designation: National Recreation Area

Location: Texas

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Nestled within the Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area serves as a tranquil oasis amid the vast, arid grasslands. Over centuries, the Canadian River has sculpted breathtaking 200-foot canyons—known as breaks—that now encircle the lake. These secluded coves create diverse ecosystems, supporting seven distinct habitats that sustain a rich array of wildlife, including migratory birds

🌤 Weather Information

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.

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

A boat travels across Lake Meredith on a sunny day.  The lake is light blue.

Boating at Lake Meredith

Credit: NPS Photo

A storm coming in at Lover's Canyon.  The sky is dark blue with dark clouds.  The lake is greenish.

Weather in the Texas Panhandle

Credit: NPS Photo.

A bench on the Harbor Bay Trail, overlooking Lake Meredith. The sky is blue with white clouds.

View of the lake from Harbor Bay Trail

Credit: NPS Photo

Picnic shelter at a campsite overlooking Lake Meredith.  The sky is blue with no clouds.

View from the Rim

Credit: NPS Photo

Sanford Dam and Lake Meredith.  The lake is deep blue with white clouds above in the sky.

A view of Sanford Dam and Lake Meredith

Credit: NPS Photo

Mullinaw trailhead with green cottonwoods and blue skies in the summer.

Mullinaw Trail

Credit: NPS Photo

A Red-winged Blackbird sitting on greyish-brown stump

Birding at Lake Meredith

Credit: Mark Elliott

Harbor Bay Trail with green mesas, blue sky, and white clouds.

Harbor Bay Trail

Credit: NPS Photo

Sanford Yake boat docks.  The water is blue and calm.  There are a few fisherman fishing.

Sanford Yake

Credit: NPS Photo

View from a mesa of Lake Meredith.  The sky is blue with a few white clouds.

View from a Mesa

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Jul 21

Sunny

Sunny

High: 103.3°F | Low: 74.1°F

Humidity: 31%

Wind: 15.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 11.7

Sunrise: 06:46 AM

Sunset: 08:59 PM

Moon: First Quarter (53%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 75.8°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Jul 22

Sunny

Sunny

High: 105.7°F | Low: 79.3°F

Humidity: 25%

Wind: 17 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 11.8

Sunrise: 06:47 AM

Sunset: 08:58 PM

Moon: First Quarter (64%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 78.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Jul 23

Sunny

Sunny

High: 108.7°F | Low: 80.4°F

Humidity: 21%

Wind: 19.5 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 11.8

Sunrise: 06:47 AM

Sunset: 08:58 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (74%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 80.1°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Application for Special Use Permit Information
Each applicant is required to complete a new "Application For Special Use Permit" prior to any new permit being issued
Road Construction Work to begin May 4-October 24 Information
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.
Roadwork to Begin at Sanford Yake Campground Monday, July 13th Information
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.
Condition of Turkey Creek Trail Information
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.

Park Events

Alibates Star Party

Alibates Star Party Series — 2026

Join us for three unforgettable nights under the Texas sky!
The Alibates Visitor Center invites you to a seasonal stargazing series led by Dr. Arthur Schneider, professor emeritus at Amarillo College. Each evening features large telescopes, guided sky interpretation, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for families, learners, and night‑sky enthusiasts.

⭐ 2026 Star Party Dates

  • April 11 • 8:00 PM — Spring skies return with bright planets and crisp constellations.
  • June 13 • 8:00 PM — Summer nights bring star clusters, warm breezes, and sweeping Milky Way views.
  • September 12 • 8:00 PM — Autumn skies reveal deep‑sky objects and early fall constellations.

Bring a chair and settle in for an evening of celestial discovery.
All ages welcome — curiosity encouraged.

Location: Alibates Visitor Center Parking Lot

Date: Apr 11, 2026 12:00am to Apr 11, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Herbarium Workshop

Herbarium Workshop


Join us for a hands-on introduction to creating your own herbarium. Learn how to collect, press, and preserve plant specimens like a botanist.

May 13
10:30–11:30 AM
Alibates Visitor Center
Free and open to all

A great activity for nature lovers, students, and families.

Presenter:  Ranger Gigi Amerman 

Date: May 13, 2026 12:00am to May 13, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Alibates Star Party
Get ready for an unforgettable night! ⭐ On May 23, the Alibates Visitor Center hosts a special Star Party from 8:30–10:30 PM featuring Dr. Arthur Schneider of Amarillo College. Explore the cosmos, learn from an expert, and soak in the beauty of the night sky. Don’t forget your lawn chairs.

Date: May 23, 2026 12:00am to May 23, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Alibates Star Party

Alibates Star Party Series — 2026

Join us for three unforgettable nights under the Texas sky!
The Alibates Visitor Center invites you to a seasonal stargazing series led by Dr. Arthur Schneider, professor emeritus at Amarillo College. Each evening features large telescopes, guided sky interpretation, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for families, learners, and night‑sky enthusiasts.

⭐ 2026 Star Party Dates

  • April 11 • 8:00 PM — Spring skies return with bright planets and crisp constellations.
  • June 13 • 8:00 PM — Summer nights bring star clusters, warm breezes, and sweeping Milky Way views.
  • September 12 • 8:00 PM — Autumn skies reveal deep‑sky objects and early fall constellations.

Bring a chair and settle in for an evening of celestial discovery.
All ages welcome — curiosity encouraged.

Location: Alibates Visitor Center Parking Lot

Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Jun 13, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Movies at the Lake

Movies at the Lake – Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Settle in for summer nights under the stars as Lake Meredith hosts Movies at the Lake at the Fritch Fortress Amphitheater. This free community series brings family‑friendly films with a lake view, with refreshments available for purchase to round out the evening.

The season kicks off on June 13, 2026, with National Treasure, followed by a lineup of outdoor fun leading to our finale on July 3, 2026 with Inside Out 2.  Bring your favorite blanket or lawn chair, relax by the water, and enjoy a movie night in one of the Panhandle’s most scenic spots.

*no dogs allowed except service dogs.

*This event will be canceled if inclement weather occurs. 

Location: Lake Meredith Amphitheater

Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Jun 13, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Movies at the Lake

Movies at the Lake – Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Settle in for summer nights under the stars as Lake Meredith hosts Movies at the Lake at the Fritch Fortress Amphitheater. This free community series brings family‑friendly films with a lake view, with refreshments available for purchase to round out the evening.

The season kicks off on June 13, 2026, with National Treasure, followed by a lineup of outdoor fun leading to our finale on July 3, 2026 with Inside Out 2.  Bring your favorite blanket or lawn chair, relax by the water, and enjoy a movie night in one of the Panhandle’s most scenic spots.

*dogs are not allowed except service dogs. 

*This event will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. 

Location: Fritch Fortress Amphitheater

Date: Jul 3, 2026 12:00am to Jul 3, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Fireworks at the Lake

A Night of Patriotism, Community, and Pure Summer Magic

As the sun dips behind the mesas and the lake settles into twilight, anticipation builds. Families spread out blankets, kids wave glow sticks, and the smell of summer hangs in the air. There’s something special about watching fireworks burst over the water—each color reflecting across the lake like a painting that lasts only a moment.

This year’s show begins at 9:30 PM, timed perfectly so the sky is dark enough for every spark, shimmer, and boom to shine at full brilliance.

Tips for a Great Evening

  • Arrive early to snag a great spot—this event draws a crowd.
  • Bring a light jacket; evenings by the lake can cool off quickly.
  • Don’t forget your camera. Fireworks over the water make for incredible photos.

Location: Fritch Fortress Amphitheater

Date: Jul 4, 2026 12:00am to Jul 4, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Alibates Star Party

Alibates Star Party Series — 2026

Join us for three unforgettable nights under the Texas sky!
The Alibates Visitor Center invites you to a seasonal stargazing series led by Dr. Arthur Schneider, professor emeritus at Amarillo College. Each evening features large telescopes, guided sky interpretation, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for families, learners, and night‑sky enthusiasts.

⭐ 2026 Star Party Dates

  • April 11 • 8:00 PM — Spring skies return with bright planets and crisp constellations.
  • June 13 • 8:00 PM — Summer nights bring star clusters, warm breezes, and sweeping Milky Way views.
  • September 12 • 8:00 PM — Autumn skies reveal deep‑sky objects and early fall constellations.

Bring a lawn chair and settle in for an evening of celestial discovery.
All ages welcome — curiosity encouraged.

Location: Alibates Visitor Center Parking Lot

Date: Sep 12, 2026 12:00am to Sep 12, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
419 E. Broadway
Fritch, TX 79036

🏤 Mailing Address:
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 1460
Fritch, TX 79036

📞 Voice Phone: 806 857-3151

✉️ Email: lamr_interpretation@nps.gov

Park Location


👏 Fun Fact
Loading fun fact...