Meridian State Park

Copyright: Texas State Parks & Historical Sites Meridian Lake

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.

The park is open 7 days a week year-round. The busy seasons are spring, summer, and fall.

Attractions - 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 bass.

Available facilities are screened shelters; premium sites with water and electricity (pull-through); regular campsites with water and electricity (back-in for under 20' in length); campsites with water; developed sites with a table and a fire ring (no potable water in the area - restrooms 200 yards to 1 mile away); a group dining hall with a kitchen (capacity 56); a youth group area; a picnic area; restrooms with showers; a playground; 5 miles of hiking and nature trails (250 yards are paved and accessible to the disabled, with benches along the trail); 5 miles of scenic paved road for vehicles and biking; a boat dock; a boat ramp; and a Texas State Park Store.

Nearby attractions include Dinosaur Valley, Lake Whitney, and Cleburne State Parks; Fossil Rim; Six Flags Over Texas; Texas and Arlington Stadiums; State Fair; and Texas Ranger Museum.

Camping and entrance fees vary. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. Current weather conditions, including fire bans and water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.

Recreation - Activities in the park include camping, picnicking, hiking, lake swimming (unsupervised), boating, bird watching, fishing, and bicycling.

Climate - Meridian State Park is located at an elevation of 1040 feet. Temperatures within the park range from an average July high of 98 degrees with a prevailing southeast breeze and January average low of 40 degrees. Spring usually provides the park with the wettest months. The first/last freeze are December/April. Current weather conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.

Location - 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.