Fish, Hike, Relax in The High Ground
Published Aug 07, 2009
Wide-open space is in good supply in The High Ground, but along with such standard fare as hiking and biking, nature lovers can find many opportunities for aquatic excitement as well.
The area’s lakes offer an unexpected source of outdoor recreation and continue to grow in popularity as both pubic and private facilities add amenities. Couple those spots with nearby canyons for hiking and trails for walking and riding, and you have the makings for an inexpensive and fun weekend getaway.
Many residents point to Lake Meredith as one of their favorite home-away-from-home spots. The Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is 38 miles north of Amarillo, and was formed by a dam built on the Canadian River in 1962. Since that time, the lake has become a prime spot for boating and fishing, says George Surles, manager of the Marina at Lake Meredith, which offers vehicle trails, camping areas, picnic sites and boat ramps, as well as a full-service marina.
“We get a lot of locals but also a lot of vacationers and people from overseas because of the national park system,” Surles says. “Our most popular features are the fish house and the boat rentals.
And even though the lake’s been a little bit low, we’re still seeing a lot of people.”
The marina doesn’t track visitor numbers, but according to the U.S. National Park Service, the lake gets around 1.2 million visitors per year, Surles says.
It’s just as varied and busy at Buffalo Springs Lake, where concerts and festivals throughout the year augment the outdoor activities.
“We have ATV trails, camping, hiking, swimming ... all that great stuff,” says Dalla Guerrieri, special events coordinator. “We have people coming in from all over. Our drag boat races bring in around 7,000 people, and when we have our big events like the barbecue cook-off, we get folks from Midland to Amarillo, even from New Mexico.”
Quiet and serene is more the stock in trade at Lake Palo Duro, which was formed in 1991 by the counties of Hansford and Moore and the city of Stinnett. The lake has two boat ramps with docks, as well as picnic shelters and both RV and dry camping areas, says Jim Derington, general manager of the Palo Duro River Authority.
“The lake was built as a water supply, but we do offer all the recreational features,” Derington says. “We have abundant wildlife in the area, and we really think we have a unique place here. People come through as they’re hiking and using the mountain-bike trails, and are very surprised at what they find It’s a quiet place, and it’s very well taken care of. It drops right off into the canyons, and it’s just beautiful.”
Story by Joe Morris
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