lake meredith national recreation area

As a kid that moved to Fritch at the age of ten, I have had a terrible burden of watching the lake recede bit by bit every year. In fact, my mom works headquarters and my step-father was a firefighter. So when I was able to wander out there without my family hovering around me, I did. I I have found this lake fascinating since we moved there. I lived in Arizona before, where we had a lake twice it's size. But I found out a few years ago Lake Meredith was only suppose to last fifty years, and was made to water the surrounding areas, since the aquifer isn't big enough. I watched every week as the marina was torn down and the ramps moved a bit further out. I helped pour concrete at the bottom of the Marina boat ramp in order to continue to allow people to launch. I take great pride in the local lake, and I certainly spent my few months cleaning the buildings, painting the picnic tables and making sure everything was safe and looking presentable for our various visitors. When I found that swimming in the lake was no longer agreeable (I actually stepped on barbed wire once or twice. I wouldn't worry, I dug it out and I don't think that's a common thing out there) I found that hiking among the huge rocks around the corners of the shores, or starting from the top near the camping sites and hiking down to the shore was an enjoyable experience that I shared with my friends. We often go down there to walk along the sandy shore, occasionally swim in the receding water, and just get away from life in Fritch really. If you get away from the idea of boating, water skiing and other water sports, the Lake can be enjoyable to many. The view is fantastic, the rock formations from over the years are just interesting and the hikes down can present some challenges (not to mention going back up.) I wish the lake was as it had once been, full and teeming with visitors, but it has outlasted it's years and there is something beautiful in that altogether

Had trouble finding a place to camp but once we got settled we were very impressed. The view was great! The site was free so I was pleasently surprised to find picnic tables and shelters and bathrooms with running water. Very windy up there but overall a great stop on our trip.

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and for Lake Meredith that is surely the case. Most people will complain that the lake is so low that it's useless for anything but there is still plenty to do in the recreation area as long as you're not looking for flash and watersport. I've never swam in Lake Meredith because of the many tales of drowning in the lake (I lost an uncle to this lake before I was born). You can fish from shore, camp, go hiking, or just stare off into a fantastic high plains sunset on top of the breaks near Cedar Canyon.

The water level is so low that the marina was closed and moved away. There is shallow water behind the dam for picnics and water play. Boating is horrible. Sand bars and stumps. It's sad to see it this way

I grew up visiting Lake Meredith. When we moved to Fritch in 1992, we'd visit the lake at Harbor Bay with our friends. Now that they are draining the lake our memories are being destroyed. The Marina is gone. I am devastated about the changes.

The lake has been horribly drained by nearby cities. Sand bars are close to the surface. The marina was pulled out several years ago. The small towns around have withered. The lake shows water loss every day. A few still go out to fish, but weekend recreation is gone. There is a picnic area behind the damn. Also a beach area with shallow water for families. Not sure if it gets crowded since we are more interested in boating on the lake.

Ok please go nowhere near this place. It is no more than a man made hole which is now barely filled with unclean water, their website is complete horse manure which is plentiful in Texas and this place is filled with empty promises , it is surrounded by oil refineries which hum and whirl in the distance , the grills are thick with orange rust, there are bugs everywhere , and their signage is non existant.No matter do yourself a favor and steer clearly of this completely annoying place. Id rather sleep out in the Meadowlands of NJ just outside Giants stadiumYabba dabba don't do Lake Meredith

The lake is obviously low, however, still pretty blue. Not easy to get close unless you go down dirt roads so we just looked out over the bluffs. Lots of picnic areas and posted for camping if you are into that.

I took our church congregation out there for Memorial Day family time and we drove 1 1/2 hrs early in the morning in a convoy of vehicles with our church trailer attached to my vehicle with supplies. The trailer had our church name all over it, and when we arrived there was no other folks there. A young ranger drove up as we were unloading chairs and began cussing me for parking outside the parking area. I asked him to stop using that language because I was didn't know (first time there), & I'd looked for signs or rules and none were posted. I said I would move immediately, but he needed not use foul language. He tried to intimidate with a ticket when I asked him again. He was abusing his authority and I was suppose to let him or else? Wow!

We stopped here primarily because one of our daughter's is named Meredith and it was an alternate route and a chance to split away from the group and have a little bit of family time with my wife and I and just our kids. We had packed and lunch and stopped by the office in Fitch prior to actually heading to the lake to eat. This was the best decision on this part of our trip. All the maps are outdated, and fortunately the person working in the office asked what our plans were and after we told her she explained that the lake was actually receded about half to it's size on the map. Although this was a bit disappointing, it turned out better than expected cause we were able to drive down to the old blocked off boat ramp and was able to have our lunch right on the boulders blocking the ramp and with noone else there.We were told that the lake has been receded for quite some time, and although it did not add too much time onto our trip, you would think that some online maps would be a bit more updated and there would be something on their site easily to find about the situation. We spent a lot of time researching the places we wanted to go, and it may have been there, and if it is it is not that obvious. I am not sure about the fee since we have the pass to get into all national parks. I do not recall having to show that pass, so it may be free to enter.

There is not a lot here except open space. I like the 2-mile trail at Harbor Bay. There another nice trail at Mullinaw Creek. Last I checked, the Devils Canyon horse trail was in poor condition. There are 4-wheeler areas at Rosarita and Blue West. The lake is nearly dry, but people still come to fish and watch birds. Swimming is still popular at the Stilling Basin. People hunt here in season.

Just not very pretty. The water always seems low and choppy. Not a good place on shore to have a picnic.

The facilities at Alibates are much improved in the last few years, making it easier to access and enjoy. Informative rangers add to the experience, as does the visitor's center and the award winning film. Call ahead for reservations for the ranger-led tours. Highly recommended.

The Lake Meredith Area includes the Alibates Flint Quarries, which really deserve their own entry. The quarries are rather unique. First, you can only go with a ranger, and that's essential. You can't get in otherwise, and you really do need a guide to tell you what you are seeing. If you could go on your own, you would miss the point. Second, where else can you go to a real historical Indian site and touch things. Third, the quarries are flint factories, and you will understand the importance of the site, of flint, and of those who lived there. It's a couple of hours, and you need to hike a little. It's not stenuous at all. Plus the scenery is great. It's not everyone's cup of tea, so if the description doesn' appeal, do something else. But if it does appeal, you will be happy you went.

This is a beautiful lake, Lots to Hike. But no where to camp unless you hike in or don't want to be next to the water, anywhere near the water. But really really pretty. The contrast are great.