News Release

2017 Visitation to Lake Meredith Surpasses 1 Million

Date: January 16, 2018
Contact: Carl Brenner, 806-857-0312

Highest visitation since 2000

Visitation to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (LAMR) surpasses last year’s million plus visitors with a total of 1,329,076 visits in 2017. This is a 29.59% increase from the 1,025,613 visits in 2016 and a 59.86% increase over 2015. “Every time the lake level goes up, visitation goes up,” said LAMR Acting Superintendent Paul Jones. “With increased recreational opportunities and a sustained rise in lake levels, we foresee a continual growth in visitation,” continued Jones. Additionally tent and RV stays are up 63.5% and 56.4% respectively.

The park has installed a new boat dock at the Blue West boat ramp and will install a new 140’ 10 boat slip and attached 48’ x 24’ fishing dock at the Sanford Yake boat ramp. There are new pit toilets at Rosita and the Fritch Fortress Amphitheater. “We will be breaking ground on new RV sites in the Sanford-Yake campground,” said LAMR Chief of Maintenance Jeremie Johnston. “These sites will be equipped with water and 50 amp electric hookups,” continued Johnston.

Park staff is also committed to continued family events like the ‘… at the Lake’ program series of movies, music, and fireworks, as well as, Ranger programing, trail development, and addressing deferred maintenance.

Lake Meredith is a place known and loved by local, regional, national, and international visitors. In this era of increased visitation, park officials remain committed to preserving Lake Meredith’s resources and the experience of the visitors who come here. We need your help. We are hoping 2018 is a year of partnership building and greater community involvement. Call the park’s headquarters at 806-857-3151 to become involved.

Detailed park visitation information and additional information on how these statistics are calculated is available online at https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/Reports/LAMR