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Facilities

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp, near Fritch, Texas, is a unique spot for those who appreciate a more rugged camping experience. This area is perfect for tent camping, offering a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle while enjoying the natural beauty of the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.

Visitors often highlight the peacefulness of the location, with plenty of space between sites for a sense of solitude. The campground is free to use, which is a big plus for budget-conscious campers. While there are no electric hookups or drinking water, the presence of pit toilets and trash disposal makes it manageable for a comfortable stay. As one camper noted, “This is a pretty good campground especially since it is Free.”

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the surrounding area offers hiking trails and opportunities for fishing at the nearby lake. The scenery is enhanced by rugged rocky hills and expansive grasslands, making it a great backdrop for a weekend getaway. Just be sure to bring everything you need, as amenities are sparse and the nearest town is quite a distance away.

While some campers have mentioned the challenges of navigating the unpaved roads and the occasional wildlife encounters, many appreciate the chance to immerse themselves in nature. If you’re looking for a quiet, no-frills camping experience, McBride Canyon is worth considering for your next adventure.

Description

National Park Service

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

These areas are located south of the lake off of State Highway 136. There are large cottonwood trees that provide shade. The Mullinaw Creek area features the expanded Mullinaw Trails System . This trail system is open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. NO OFF ROAD VEHICLES ALLOWED. No drinking water or flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilets only. Picnic tables, shade shelters, and grills. Horse corrals are located at Mullinaw Campground. The dirt roads can become impassable after rain.

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Location

McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is located in Texas

Detail location of campground

Directions

There are several different ways to get to Lake Meredith. If you are coming from Amarillo, exit Loop 335 North, then exit Hwy 136 North to Fritch. Headquarters is located at 419 E. Broadway in Fritch. If coming from the North you can take 1913 from the Dumas Highway or 1913 from US 287.

Coordinates

35.529449 N
101.759431 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area needs a permit.

Drive Time


Reviews

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10 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2023

My God, the Mosquitos!

This is a beautiful park—lovely, with rugged rocky hills. However I’ve never seen mosquitos this bad before. Ever! Might be good during mon-mosquito periods, but otherwise the bloodsuckers will haunt your dream

Siten/A
Reviewed May. 21, 2023

Dint like it

Strange person going around following ya u hear stuff at night strange stuff and health warnings for air quilty just stay away

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Apr. 11, 2023

Great spot

Great camp spot, easy to get to and easy to find.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Vinny D., April 11, 2023
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Vinny D., April 11, 2023
Reviewed Dec. 15, 2022

Love it!

Far enough out from the city. Free! Fire pit and pic nic tables. The bathroom seemed pretty nice. Can’t beat it. Very dark out here though! Would definitely visit again. Definitely wouldn’t recommend driving big RV’s past the campsite. Steep unpaved grades. I didn’t travel too far down though.

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Brody Q., December 15, 2022
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Brody Q., December 15, 2022
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Brody Q., December 15, 2022
Reviewed Nov. 19, 2022

Out of The Way Peaceful

Upon arrival, it is very far out of the way of any towns or amenities. So make sure you bring everything you need for your stay. This is not a one night stop if you’re just driving through.

The road is fairly nice and paved the whole way out until you reach the camp. No big ruts or pot holes. It turns into sand and loose gravel after entering the campground.

There are quite a few rules and regulations to stay here, so it says on the board when entering the camp.

We stayed during hunting season so the length of stay is up to 30 days. Any other time of the year it’s 14 days.

I checked the local website and there is a fire ban in effect but it could change in the future. So be sure to check if you plan on having a fire.

Reception sucks. We got one bar where we stayed but towards where people are living out here, it’s a little better.

There are a couple of holes dug in the ground with a toilet sitting on top. I used it and noticed it was to the top by the rim of the seat full of human waste. Awesome!

There are a lot of sand burrs that stuck to literally everything when you walk anywhere outside.

The time of the year we stayed the whole country was experiencing an Arctic blast from the north, so it was quite chilly. That’s not norma here, but it is what it is.

We didn’t make it down to the Lake so i have no pictures of that.

Wildlife and traffic are heavy due to it being hunting season. But the traffic wasn’t a bother. Usually early in the morning and late at night.

Seen a park ranger a few times drive by, that’s the extent of that.

All n all, very peaceful! We would stay again.

SiteFirst Single
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Daisee Mae S., November 19, 2022
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Daisee Mae S., November 19, 2022
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Daisee Mae S., November 19, 2022
  • (9) View All
Reviewed May. 30, 2022

Gate was closed?? Windy AF

After a very long drive on a bumpy dirt road after midnight, i arrived at a closed gate that looked half broken down. I ended up camping back down the road a bit in a pull off, and hoping that i didn't wake up to a gun in my face. So windy i could barely sleep

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Nov. 21, 2021

Worth the drive!

This place was fantastic boondocking. I recommend arriving before sunset so as to be able to see but we were able to find a spot in the dark after about 45 mins of driving around.

Sitefirst come, first serve
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Paula P., November 21, 2021
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Paula P., November 21, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2021

Country Living

FCFS

FREE

This is a pretty good campground especially since it is Free.  You have a stay limt of 14 days and who doesn't need to kick back and just enjoy the simple pleasures of doing nothing.  There is no water but you will have picnic tables with shelters for the tables, fire ring, trash and a pit toilet.  You have a lot of shade around the perimenter of the campground which makes it nice.  There is no electric but who needs it.  You should have plenty of time to hike the grasslands, find a great fishing spot around the lake.  We are looking forward to a return trip to spend more time around the lake.  Hunting is another reason to check this place out.

LNT

tRAVEL SAFE.

Reviewed Oct. 26, 2021

Trail Ride

FCFS

FREE 

Horse corral with hitching post, pit toilet, trash, some covered picnic tables, and fire ring. This is a very open site and would be great for a trail ride. There are a lot of trees for shade but It can get hot in the summer. The road into the campground does deteriorate the further in you go. It is also VERY dusty This area is located south of the lake off of State Highway 136. You will find large cottonwood trees that provide shade. The Mullinaw Creek area features the expanded Mullinaw Trails System. 

This trail system is open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 

NO OFF ROAD VEHICLES ALLOWED. 

No drinking water 

LNT 

BTWYFI

Travel safe

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by N I., October 26, 2021
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by N I., October 26, 2021
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by N I., October 26, 2021
  • (18) View All
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2020

Simple, no frills, secluded

This is the perfect place for quiet, secluded tent camping. The sites were spread apart a nice distance, each with a picnic table. Pit toilets centrally located. Grills And fire rings at some (but perhaps not all) of the sites.  The best part of this campground is the quiet. We were the only ones at the campground the weekend of our visit - we literally had the campground to ourselves. Just a short drive/hike further up the canyon on the dirt road for some beautiful views.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Kate W., July 29, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there cell phone reception at McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is fair.