Campgrounds within a 40-mile radius of Pampa, Texas provide campers with access to two significant reservoirs, Lake Meredith and Lake McClellan. The Texas Panhandle terrain in this area sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation with characteristic high plains vegetation and prairie grasslands. Water levels at both lakes fluctuate seasonally, affecting both boating access and shoreline camping opportunities.
What to do
Hiking trails available: At Fritch Fortress Campground, campers can access several hiking and mountain biking trails around Lake Meredith. One camper noted, "There were a few hiking and mountain biking trails, though more seemed to be on the less developed, western shore of the lake."
ATV recreation: Lake McClellan Campground features designated ATV trails, making it popular with off-road enthusiasts. A visitor mentioned, "This campground was on a large recreation area that included some ATV trails, which was pretty cool! There were several different camping areas that you could choose from."
Fishing opportunities: The lakes provide year-round fishing access with boat ramps at most recreation areas. At Lake Meredith, a camper observed, "The nearby boat launch is just down the hill, with a huge parking lot offering some great fishing and water sport opportunities."
What campers like
Free camping options: Sanford-Yake Campground offers no-cost camping with surprisingly good amenities. A reviewer explained, "Free entry, no parking fees, no reservation for tent camping required, clean water available, bathrooms with showers (nicely stocked toilet paper)."
Hot showers: Multiple campgrounds in the area offer shower facilities, a welcome amenity in this remote region. At Fritch Fortress, one camper appreciated that "The bathrooms were very clean and are family-style, single use with toilet, sink and shower. The water was hot with good pressure."
Spacious sites: McDowell Campground provides well-spaced sites in a quieter setting than some neighboring campgrounds. A visitor described it as "a nice pleasant quiet campground next to the lake. A few campsites sit on the shore of Lake McClellan. Very nice wooded sites throughout the campground."
What you should know
Sandburs and stickers: Many campsites contain painful grass burrs that can injure bare feet and pets. A McDowell Campground visitor warned to "be careful for stickers, especially if you have pets."
Bathrooms sometimes closed: Seasonal or maintenance closures affect facilities. At Longhorn RV Park, a reviewer noted it's "perfect for an overnight" but has "no frills" in terms of bathroom facilities.
Payment systems vary: Some campgrounds use self-pay envelopes while others require cash payment to hosts. At Longhorn RV Park, campers were "instructed to pick a site and then leave $20 cash in the metal box."
Weather extremes: The Panhandle experiences sudden weather changes that can affect camping comfort. A Fritch Fortress camper reported, "Ended up boondocking at the park because of a terrible storm that blew in and wouldn't allow me to keep my tent down."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Huber City Park in Borger offers family-friendly amenities beyond just camping. One visitor highlighted that it's "Great for kids. Playground, splash park, volleyball, basketball hoops."
Shaded picnic areas: Look for sites with covered tables to protect from sun and wind. At Sanford-Yake, "Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring, some sites also include pedestal grills as well."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lake areas attract local wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk. A camper at Fritch Fortress Campground shared, "The sunrises are huge, the lake is silent (at least in early Oct)."
Cell service for emergencies: Coverage varies throughout the region. At Sanford-Yake, a visitor reported "usable cellphone service (for AT&T at least)" which can be important for families needing to stay connected.
Tips from RVers
Level sites availability: Most campgrounds in the area offer relatively flat parking. At Lake McClellan Campground, a camper noted, "All sites are nice and level. A few sites are missing their site numbers which made it a little difficult to figure out which site we were in."
Electric and water hookups: Many campsites provide basic utilities at reasonable rates. At McDowell Campground, "The campground has hook up sites with electric and water($15), and non-hookup sites($10)."
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Fritch Fortress, a camper advised, "None of these are good for RVs longer than 15 feet, but ours and our only other neighbor (in a van) fit just fine."
Dump station locations: For longer stays, know where sanitation facilities are located. A visitor to Huber City Park mentioned, "Dump station here for free with free potable water."
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