Bastrop State Park
Bastrop, Texas

Download a Park Map (PDF) - courtesy of TPWD

Stone shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's
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The "Lost Pines" of 3,503-acre Bastrop State Park are an isolated stand of loblolly pines separated from the vast East Texas piney woods by more than one hundred miles. Twelve miles of well-marked hiking trails wander through the dense pine-oak woodlands, including the 8.5 mile Lost Pines Hiking Trail. A trail map (PDF) is available, courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Opportunities for camping, picnicking, bicycling (paved or gravel roads only), birding and nature study are also available. White-tail deer and numerous bird species inhabit the park. Ten acres of surface water, in the form of small fishing ponds and lakes, are found within the park; additionally, 900-acre Lake Bastrop is located a short drive away, offering ample fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming and water skiing opportunities.

Developed (RV) and primitive tent campsites, screened shelters and thirteen rental cabins with kitchen facilities are available. For large gatherings, a group barracks and dining hall may be reserved. Unlike many Texas State Parks, Bastrop also features a large (60-foot by 100-foot) swimming pool and a beautiful eighteen hole golf course. The swimming pool is equipped with two children's wading pools and is open daily from Memorial Day to the end of summer; lifeguards are on duty during pool hours. The golf course is operated by the Lost Pines Golf Club; call (512)321-2327 or (512)303-1368 for tee times.

Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park are linked by the scenic 13-mile paved Park Road 1. During the drive, note how the lush pine forest of Bastrop State Park gives way to blackjack, post and live oak woodland in nearby Buescher State Park. Birders may wish to stop at the Alum Creek crossing on Park Road 1, a noted birding locale. A bird checklist covering both Bastrop and Buescher State Parks is available from both parks' headquarters.

Camp amid towering pine trees at Bastrop SP
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Park Rating Explanation of Symbols
Campsites/Overnight Facilities
Leashed Pets Permitted?	YES
Picnic Areas/Playgrounds
Solitude
Trail System
Water Recreation
Wildlife
Ratings are based on a scale of 0 to 4.

Shannon's Notebook

Justin and I first visited Bastrop and Buescher State Parks in early August 1996; we have returned many times since. Weather conditions in the summer are hot and humid, but the hiking and nature trails are worth the discomfort. Having stayed in both the comfortably rustic CCC-built rental cabins and the tent campsites, we have found both yield fine birding opportunities. Within a short time, the bird life grows accustomed to your presence and literally descends around you. Birders may observe the following species: pied-billed grebe, mallard duck, canvasback duck, redhead duck, lesser scaup, turkey vulture, red-bellied woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, Eastern phoebe, blue jay, Western scrub jay, American crow, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, American robin, Northern mockingbird, solitary vireo, Northern parula, Northern cardinal, and field sparrow.

Rental cabins on the banks of the fishing pond

Copyright © Shannon D. Moore
See more photos at OutdoorPhoto.com

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Location

Located about 30 miles east of Austin. Travel one mile east of Bastrop on Texas Highway 21; the park entrance is accessible at the intersection of Texas Highways 21 and 71 via Texas Loop 150.
Map of Park's Location

For GPS Users: N 30° 6.73' W 097° 15.63' (WGS84/NAD83)
Convert to another coordinate sytem or map datum (Courtesy of Jeeep.com)

Hours

Open 7 days a week year-round from 8 AM to 10 PM for day use activities.

Fees

A park entrance fee is charged per day -- $3 per person for adults 13 years of age and older. (Texas residents age 65 or older pay only $2 per person.)

Campsite and other facility fees are in addition to the park entrance fee.

Note: Learn about the $60 Texas State Parks Pass which exempts passholders, and the passengers in their vehicle, from the entrance fees at all Texas State Parks.

Reservations

Reserve Now for campsites and other park facilities.

Reservations can also be made by calling TPWD's Central Reservation System at (512)389-8900 from 9 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday, 9 AM to noon on Saturdays.

Events

Consult TPWD's Park Events Calendar for information on upcoming events at this park.

Weather

Volunteer Opportunities

Contact the Friends of the Lost Pines, the officially recognized non-profit support group of Bastrop & Buescher State Parks, at P.O. Box 1714, Bastrop 78602.