Lake Meredith Camping Rules
- Length of Stay: Maximum 14 days in a 30 day period, no more than 60 days per year
- Dispersed Camping: Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area except for Sanford Yake Campground (paid) and Fritch Fortress Campground.
- Campfires: Fires are permitted only in elevated, above-ground grills and existing fire rings; fires are not allowed in the backcountry. You may gather dead wood located on the ground. No cutting of trees or other plants is allowed. Burning pallets is allowed only if all nails, screws, brads, etc., are removed.
- Pets: Pets must be on leash at all times
- Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Metal Detectors: No metal detectors are allowed
Visit the official Lake Meredith NRA website for full camping rules.
Where to Find Free Camping at Lake Meredith NRA
The campgrounds listed below are also marked in the map above.
Fritch Fortress Campground
Located about 3.5 miles from Fritch on Fritch Fortress Road, campsites in this campground are suitable for small to medium-sized RVs. There are no hookups.
- Picnic tables, shade shelters, and grills
- Bathroom with potable water, showers and flush toilets
- Paved road & pull-through parking available
- Dump station nearby
- Restricted to marked campsites only
- 10 campsites
Blue West Campground
Located north of the lake off Farm-to-Market Road 1913, this campground has breath-taking views of Lake Meredith. There is no access to the shoreline due to steep cliffs. No hookups. Many sites are suitable for large RVs.
- Picnic tables and shade shelters
- No drinking water
- No flush toilets, vault-evaporator toilet only
- During the summer, wildflowers and other shrubs cover the mesas
- 19 campsites with picnic tables
- Dispersed camping throughout extended area is allowed
Harbor Bay Campground
This campground is located near Fritch. From Broadway Street, turn west on Lakeview Drive until you reach the campground. This large camping area has developed sites, but you’re allowed to disperse camp as well.
- Picnic tables, shade shelters and grills
- No drinking water
- No flush toilets, vault-evaporator toilet
- Harbor Bay and South Turkey Creek Hiking Trails
- Dispersed camping allowed
Cedar Canyon Campground
Nestled in a small cove between Fritch Fortress and Sanford-Yake campgrounds, this campground is strictly dispersed camping on the beach. The camping area gets soft during rainy conditions. Drive with caution when leaving paved roads.
- Restroom with potable water and flush toilets near the parking lot
- Large cottonwoods provide shade in this area
- Beautiful views of Lake Meredith
- Dispersed camping only
Blue Creek OHV Area
Located right off FM 1913, where the bridge passes over Blue Creek, lies the OHV Area. Most people set up camp close to the creek, and there’s about six (6) places where you can reasonably set up camp. 4WD is highly recommended.
- Vault toilet on site
- Gets noisy due to numerous OHVs
- Swimming and fishing permitted in Blue Creek
- Dispersed camping only
Rosita Flats OHV Area
Located right off US-287 (heading north), about 600 before you reach the bridge over the Canadian River, there is a dirt road exit heading east. The first mile of that road is BLM land, and is free to camp on. After that mile, you head into the official Rosita Flats OHV Area, which is controlled by the NPS, and is also free to camp on.
- Vault toilet on site
- Gets noisy due to numerous OHVs
- 4WD highly recommended
- Dispersed camping only
Plum Creek Campground
Divided into three sections… Upper Plum Creek, Middle Plum Creek, and Lower Plum Creek, this area is accessed from FM 1913, turning south along Cig Rd. Popular campgrounds for equestrian, hiking, and bicycling use.
- Picnic tables, shade shelters and grills
- No drinking water
- No flush toilets, vault-evaporator toilets only
- Horse corrals and water troughs
- 8 camping sites with picnic tables
- Dispersed camping throughout extended area is allowed
- Upper and Middle campgrounds can get muddy
Chimney Hollow Campground
Located near Blue West, this remote and primitive campground is tucked in the Blue Creek embankment, which affords the area protection from prevailing winds.
- Picnic tables
- No drinking water and no flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilet only
- 3 camping sites
- Dispersed camping throughout extended area is allowed
Bugbee Campground
Located off Farm-to-Market 3395, the Bugbee area features shoreline fishing and beach camping. There are a couple of formal campsites with picnic tables, but otherwise dispersed camping is allowed.
- Primitive Campground
- No drinking water
- No flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilet only
- Dispersed camping allowed
McBride Canyon Campground
Located 5 miles south of Fitch, take Highway 136, then head west on McBride Canyon Rd. This is a small, isolated campground next to the old McBride Ranch House.
- Primitive Campground
- No drinking water
- No flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilet only
- 5 campsites marked with picnic tables
- Dispersed camping throughout extended area is allowed
Mullinaw Creek Campground
Located 6 miles south of Fitch, take Highway 136, then head west towards Mullinaw Creek. This remote campground offers the best wildlife viewing, along with close access to the Mullinaw Hiking Trail.
- Primitive Campground
- No drinking water
- Vault toilet and trash cans on site
- Some sites marked with picnic tables
- Dispersed camping throughout extended area is allowed
