Relax By The Water With Scenic Shorefront Campsites At An Underrated Lake In Texas

There are many places you can experience the great outdoors in Texas, from the state's most beloved natural landmarks in the heart of Hill Country to the sweeping high plains of the Panhandle. This 25,610-square-mile chunk of land in the state's northeast is where you'll find a vast open country with endless horizons, red cliffs, and a striking high-desert chasm that gives the Grand Canyon a run for its money. The Panhandle is also home to the city of Amarillo and the quirky Cadillac Ranch, one the most iconic works of roadside American folk art.

Despite the region's arid climate, there is also some water –– mainly in the form of the Canadian River. This 906-mile tributary of the Arkansas begins its journey in Colorado before winding through the plains and ending in Oklahoma. It's been dammed in its stretch of the Panhandle, creating Lake Meredith, one of the prime outdoor attractions in the area.

This watery paradise on the dry high plains is protected in a national recreation area that is a wonderland for camping. It also features hiking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for activities such as boating, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and off-roading. In addition, the lake's canyons and hidden coves are a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife, making it a terrific place to spot nature in action.

Situated just under 40 miles from Amarillo, the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area occupies 44,979 acres of reservoir, wetlands, and shoreline. The lake was created in 1965 with the construction of the Sanford Dam to supply drinking water to the cities and communities in the Panhandle region, though due to dropping water levels, most of that is now provided by wells.

People flock to Lake Meredith for its ample opportunities for watersports, as well as its 11 separate camp areas. All of these are primitive sites and free to use on a first come first serve basis, though the 10 RV sites at Sanford-Yake Campground come with water and electric hookups for a fee. The lake itself stretches out for over 16,000 acres with an average depth of 30 feet and is great for speed boating, waterskiing, and sailing, as well as exploring the canyon walls and shoreline via kayak or canoe.

If it's fish you're after, much like this epic body of water in northern Minnesota that's the walleye-fishing capital of the world, Lake Meredith is home to large populations of not only walleye, but also bass, crappie, and Channel catfish. Anglers can try their luck from the shore, or cast a line from a boat out on the water. The lake is also an ideal spot for bird watching, especially in the Spring Canyon Wetlands where you can spy over 300 species including ducks, geese, wild turkeys, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, as well as with the iconic great blue heron.

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is about more than just the water in the flooded canyon. The area around the reservoir is home to a spider's web of hiking, biking, and horseback riding paths that will give you sweeping views of the lake, along with the stony canyons and mesquite-covered high plains surrounding it.

One of the most popular routes is the Harbor Bay Trail, an 8-mile, out-and-back loop that offers great lake vistas as well as multichromatic displays of the wildflowers that bloom along the way. The South Turkey Creek Trail takes you through rolling hills, canyons, and open rangeland over its 16-mile stretch, while the more strenuous Fritch Fortress Trail switchbacks up and down the slopes of two separate mesas, with some of the best chances for wildlife viewing — including pronghorn antelope, deer, and turkey vultures — in the whole preserve.

The Lake Meredith National Recreation area also draws off-road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts due to its thrilling topography of wide open spaces combined with rolling hills. Two areas — Blue Creek and Rosita Flats — are set aside for off-road action, though both vehicles and riders are subject to regulations that can be found in the Lake Meredith ORV Brochure. If you want to witness more of the natural glory of the Panhandle, you can also head to this underrated Texas state park with stunning red rocks and wild bison.