Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

This free National Park Service campground operates year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, accessed via a steep gravel road that descends into the camping area. Plum Creek sits within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, featuring vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and trash service but no potable water.

The campground includes equestrian facilities with corrals and water troughs for horses, plus miles of trails extending through the surrounding terrain. Open-range cattle occasionally wander through the area, though campers report they remain curious but non-intrusive. Recent visitors found the grass areas recently bush-hogged and noted the lake has receded from its original shoreline. Louie D. found "very clean vault toilet right by the site, trash cans clean and empty at camp."

The campground often remains empty during weekdays, providing solitude for overnight stops or extended stays. Wild plum trees grow throughout the area, offering seasonal fruit in spring. Campers should arrive fully supplied, as no services exist nearby. For those exploring the broader region, campgrounds near Lake Meredith National Recreation Area provide additional options within the recreation area.

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Location

Public Campground

Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is located in Texas

Detail location of campground

Directions

Located on southwest side of lake off FM 1913.

Coordinates

35.59772679 N
101.71369067 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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

Drive Time


Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many mentioned the free camping with spacious, clean sites and peaceful solitude. Guests commonly noted good basic amenities including clean vault toilets and picnic facilities. The area offers excellent value for travelers seeking a quiet overnight stop.

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2025

Prettier than anticipated

Plenty of space, pretty view, nearby hiking trail, toilet available, grill, picnic tables

Sitelower plum creek
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Ashley P., June 16, 2025
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2024

Perfect spot

We are traveling through from CO to AR and needed a place to stay for one night. We found Plum Creek and decided to check it out. The middle campground was perfect - we were the only ones there. Very clean vault toilet right by the site, trash cans clean and empty at camp. There were open range cattle nearby but they were just curious and didn't bother us. We loved our stay and will keep this in mind for future trips passing through. Beautiful sunset views too!

SitePlum Creek Middle campground
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Louie D., September 6, 2024
  • Review photo of Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Louie D., September 6, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2023

Great find!

Camped on a monday night in august and had the campground to ourself! Arrived around 7:30pm and left at 9am, absolutely perfect weather. big fire rings, barbecue, and covered picnic tables

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2021

Ride em Cowboy

FCFS

FREE 

Boat ramp is closed No drinking water but there is a pit toilet, trash containers, pedestal grill, and picnic tables. You will find equestrian camping with nice corrals. The area has some nice shade and a large grass area. The grass has been bush hogged so it is not very high. There is a water trough but I did not check for water. 

The road in is very steep going down and it is gravel. The lake has receded some distance from the shore so you do not have immediate access. This is another great location to totally unwind. There wasn't anyone else there when we were. Total silence. Very peaceful. In the spring when everything is green and wildflowers are blooming I am sure it is beautiful.  Make sure you bring your supplies with you.  No shopping on the corner.

LNT

BTWYFI

Trvel Safe

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by N I., October 26, 2021
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by N I., October 26, 2021
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Reviewed Mar. 23, 2018

Bring Your Horses

This place is FREE! It has plenty of trees and miles upon miles of trails. There is definitely water for the horses (courtesy of local Eagle Scouts) and pens as well. It gets very hot in the summer, and very cold in the winter, typically.

While hiking or riding in the spring, be sure to look for, and eat, the Wild Plums.

SiteNo formal sites
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Plum Creek — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area by Phil & Jennifer K., March 23, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Plum Creek Campground on Lake Meredith?

Plum Creek Campground offers several basic amenities for campers. The site features clean vault toilets, trash containers, covered picnic tables, pedestal grills, and fire rings. For equestrian campers, there are nice corrals and water for horses. The campground has plenty of trees providing good shade, and there are miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Some areas have large grass spaces that are maintained. While there's no drinking water available, the campground does provide a boat ramp, though its operational status may vary seasonally.

Where is McBride Canyon Campground located at Lake Meredith?

McBride Canyon Campground is located on the eastern side of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. While specific details about McBride Canyon aren't available, it's important to note that Lake Meredith has several distinct camping areas including Plum Creek. For precise directions to McBride Canyon, contact the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area office or check the official National Park Service website for updated location information.

How do I make reservations for camping at Lake Meredith?

Plum Creek Campground at Lake Meredith operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system in place. The campground is free to use, making it an accessible option for spontaneous camping trips. Since it's FCFS, arriving earlier, especially during peak seasons, is recommended to secure a spot. The campground tends to have lower traffic, particularly on weekdays, with some visitors reporting having the entire area to themselves. For the most current information about camping policies, contact Lake Meredith National Recreation Area directly.