Texas State Parks Need Your Help
Please see this special message
from Executive Director Carter Smith »
Meridian State Park
173 Park Road #7
Meridian TX 76665
(Note: Mapquest does not give correct directions to this park.
Please refer to the directions section of this page for
more information.)
254/435-2536
08/01/2011 - The boat ramp at the Park is currently closed.
Hidden away in the wooded hills northwest of Waco lies Meridian State Park, a haven for nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts. The park's 72-acre lake offers fishing in addition to swimming, and no-wake boating. A hiking trail encircling Lake Meridian features limestone outcroppings with fossils, a scenic overlook and aquatic vegetation. Birdwatching is excellent and there is a good chance of seeing the rare Golden-cheeked Warbler.
History: Meridian State Park, near Meridian in Bosque County, is a 505.4-acre park. A rock and earthen dam was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on Bee Creek to form the park's 72-acre lake. The land was acquired from private owners in 1933 - 1935 and was opened to the public in 1935.
Tonkawa Indians lived in the surrounding area before the coming of white man; Tawakoni Indians also occupied the area prior to 1841. The Texas-Santa Fe expedition of 1841 passed through Bosque County near the present site of park in Bosque Valley.
Activities: Camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, lake swimming (unsupervised), boating, bird watching, fishing, and bicycling on park roads.
Watch
YouTube video of the Park.- Pictures of some fish caught at Lake Meridian.
- Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
- More Information on outdoor activities from the Experience Texas page.
Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include Dinosaur Valley State Park, Lake Whitney State Park, and Cleburne State Park; Fossil Rim; Six Flags Over Texas; Texas and Arlington Stadiums; State Fair; Texas Ranger Museum; and the renovated historic Bosque County Courthouse in downtown Meridian.
- Camping, facilities & fee information.
- Map
of Park.
(PDF 183.8 KB)
Check
Availability/Make Reservations for Meridian SP.
You can also make E-mail Reservations,
Fax Reservations or Phone
Reservations.
Natural Features: This park is very wooded with predominantly Ashe juniper and oak, as well as abundant plants and wildflowers. A variety of wildlife and birds includes the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler in the spring. The lake is very popular for bream, crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass.
More information on the wildlife mentioned here:
Elevation: 1040 ft.
Weather: July average high is 98, with a prevailing southeast
breeze; January average low is 40, spring usually the wettest months.
First/last freeze: December/April.
Schedule: Open 7 days a week year-round. Gate is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Busy Season: spring, summer, and fall. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
Directions: Take State Highway 174 from Cleburne, State
Highway 144 from Glen Rose or State Highway 6 from Waco. Join State Highway
22 and proceed to the park. Take State Highway 22 from Hillsboro or Hamilton.
The park is located about 3 miles southwest of Meridian off State Highway
22.
The Park HQ is located at:
Latitude (degrees, minutes, seconds) 31° 53' 26.73"
Longitude (degrees, minutes, second) -97° 41' 50.92"
Note: Mapquest does not give correct directions to this park.
Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.
