Best Camping with Kids near Dallas – Meridian State Park

Did you know Texas’ “Top of the Hill Country” is less than 2 hours from Dallas? Limestone bluffs, a clear, no-wake lake, and natural springs are waiting for you at Meridian State Park. Read on for our Hike/See/Do list for your family camp trip!

If you are in the DFW area, and you love to camp, keep reading!! You should give this little-known Texas state park a go!

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Know that there are only 8 sites available for RVs 20′ and up. These have full hook-ups.

For trailers 19′ and under, there are 6 electric sites available.

With such limited sites, make sure you reserve early! (Watch our video below for our favorite sites to reserve. Yes! We scout them for you!)

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Our #1 pick trail at Meridian SP is Bosque Trail which circles the 72-acre lake, followed by Little Springs Trail with several natural springs. However, if you visit in the spring, Little Forest Junior Trail has fields loaded with wildflowers!

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We visited in late spring after some decent rains. A limestone bottom creek flows from the lake just south of the CCC Refectory. Follow the large, square pavers and detour down to the creek to explore and splash around in the shallow pools. (See infographic photo above and video below.)

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Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a drive-thru park with roaming exotic animals and a 40 minute drive. Dinosaur Valley State Park is less than 45 minutes from Meridian SP (and only 25 minutes from Fossil Rim) where you can see actual dino footprints in the riverbed!

Such a beautiful park AAAAND the lake was clear, and the swimming area was shallow for Little D. It now holds my #2 Texas State Park spot! Trust me. You want to see how beautiful it is…

(And if you want to know my #1 Texas park pick, I’ll share that link below this video.)

👉 Click for my #1 Texas state park pick!