Two permits are required and one of them is not sold here. You need a free NPS ORV permit and a Texas State ORV decal from TPWD Customer Service on (512) 389-8917.
Permit required — The NPS ORV permit is free. Apply by email to [email protected] or in person at Park Headquarters. Annual permits run 1 January to 31 December and must be renewed each year. You also need a Texas State OHV decal, bought separately through Texas Parks & Wildlife on (512) 389-8917.
🔴 ATV operators need a Texas safety certificate under Section 663.031 of the Texas Transportation Code. This catches out-of-state riders who have never needed one.
Guide
About this area
• The second OHV area inside Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Texas Panhandle • On the flats below the lake near the Canadian River, off Highway 87/287 • Better equipped than Blue Creek: primitive campground, vault toilet and a few picnic tables • Ride within the cutbanks and below 3,000 ft elevation • No…
Camping
• Dispersed camping along the Canadian River, within the ORV-use area
• ⚠️ NOT bookable — Rosita Flats offers no reservations through Recreation.gov, it is first-come
• Vault-evaporator toilet and a few picnic tables
• 🔴 No drinking water — carry your own
Facilities
• Primitive campground on site
• Vault-evaporator toilet
• A few picnic tables
• 🔴 NO drinking water — bring your own
• More developed than Blue Creek, which has nothing
Full agency description
Rosita Flats is the second riding area at Lake Meredith, sitting on the flats below the lake. Like Blue Creek it takes dune buggies and sand rails as well as ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides and full-size vehicles.
At a glance
Quick facts
Best season
Fall through spring
Camping limit
Primitive campground with a few picnic tables. No drinking water. Vault-evaporator toilets only.
Managing agency
National Park Service — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Permit status
Permit required
Access
Getting there
Rosita Creek Flats OHV Area — Canadian River RdEntrance
From Amarillo take Loop 335 to US-287 N / US-87 N, then turn right onto Canadian River Rd.
Rosita Flats requires you to stay below 3,000 ft elevation. That is the boundary of the riding area.
Stay within the cutbanks of Blue Creek and Rosita and below 3,000 ft elevation.
🔴 You need two permits and one is not sold at the park.
🔴 ATV operators also need a valid Texas safety certificate.
Show all 17 area-specific rules
Where you can ride in the area.
One decal is required per VIN and you need the year, make, model and VIN to apply.
Texas OHV decal is required on public land, costs $16 and is valid for one year. It applies to non-street-legal motorcycles, ATVs and 4x4s on any public land in Texas. Street-legal vehicles and private land are exempt.
Riding public land in Texas without the decal risks a citation and a fine of $25 to $500.
🪖 Texas requires riders under 18 to wear a DOT-standard helmet and eye protection. Adults are not required to but should.
Texas riders under 14 may only ride with a parent or authorized adult. Ages 14 to 17 may ride alone but must have completed a state-approved ATV safety course.
🎫 You need both an NPS ORV Permit for Lake Meredith and a Texas State OHV decal. Riders get caught out having only one.
🎫 The NPS permit is free but you must apply. Submit the application to [email protected] or in person as you cannot buy it at a gate.
The annual permit runs 1 January to 31 December and it is not twelve months from the day you buy it. Buy one in November and it dies on 31 December.
🎫 Texas State OHV decal is from Texas Parks & Wildlife Customer Service at (512) 389-8917.
🪖 Helmets and eye protection are required for every rider with no age exemption. This is stricter than Texas state law so everyone wears one.
All ATVs must have a whip and flag.
Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Texas OHV Program Transportation Code 663.031 — tpwd.texas.gov
Standard OHV rules (2)
Common equipment, registration and trail-use rules still apply.
Ride to the highest safety standard, not the legal minimum. A helmet, eye protection, a flag and proper gear are what get you home.
Safety flag must be solid red or orange, minimum 6 x 12 inches, no more than 10 inches from the top of the whip. It can be a pennant, triangle, square or rectangle.
Permits
Permits & registration
Permit required
Day pass
NPS ORV Permit is free but you must apply in advance.
Permit and registration details
The NPS ORV permit is free. Apply by email to [email protected] or in person at Park Headquarters. Annual permits run 1 January to 31 December and must be renewed each year. You also need a Texas State OHV decal, bought separately through Texas Parks & Wildlife on (512) 389-8917.
State residents
Texas residents need a Texas State ORV decal to ride the Lake Meredith OHV areas.
Out-of-state riders
Out-of-state riders need the Texas State ORV decal regardless of where you live, and ATV operators additionally need a Texas-issued safety certificate. Buy the decal from TPWD Customer Service at (512) 389-8917 before you travel.
Permit rules change. Confirm with the managing agency before you ride.
Trip support
Fuel, food & local help
Pump gas & diesel
Amarillo — LAST FUEL. Nothing north of town.fuel
Fill up before you turn onto US-287/US-87 north · Every station is in Amarillo. There is NOTHING on US-287/US-87 north, and nothing on Canadian River Rd. It is about 28 miles from the loop to the area, so top off in town and do not plan on finding anything out there.More
Fill up before you turn onto US-287/US-87 north · Every station is in Amarillo. There is NOTHING on US-287/US-87 north, and nothing on Canadian River Rd. It is about 28 miles from the loop to the area, so top off in town and do not plan on finding anything out there.
Buc-ees — 9900 I-40, Amarillofuel
COMING FROM THE EAST on I-40 — this is your stop · 🚚 Built for big rigs — handles large pull trailers, campers and RVs. Diesel, high canopies and pull-through lanes, open 24 hours. You will not have to unhook.More
COMING FROM THE EAST on I-40 — this is your stop · 🚚 Built for big rigs — handles large pull trailers, campers and RVs. Diesel, high canopies and pull-through lanes, open 24 hours. You will not have to unhook.
COMING FROM THE WEST on I-40 — this is your stop · 🚚 Built for big rigs — handles large pull trailers, campers and RVs. Diesel, high canopies and pull-through lanes, open 24 hours. You will not have to unhook.More
COMING FROM THE WEST on I-40 — this is your stop · 🚚 Built for big rigs — handles large pull trailers, campers and RVs. Diesel, high canopies and pull-through lanes, open 24 hours. You will not have to unhook.
Area information is informational only and may be inaccurate or out of date. Verify access, weather, closures, permits and hazards before and during any trip. See Terms.
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