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About the State Park
Hiking through new growth at Bastrop SP (2013) | Photo credit: TrekTexas.com
Bastrop State Park is located in Bastrop, Texas, and is part of the “Lost Pines” ecoregion, so-named because it’s home to the westernmost population of loblolly pines, separated from the Piney Woods of East Texas by over 100 miles. In September 2011, a devastating wildfire burned 95% of the park, leaving just 50-100 acres of the park’s forest untouched. With dedicated efforts to replant millions of loblolly pine seedlings, the park is expected to be reforested in 30 years. 1 Most of the park’s historic structures which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, such as the rental cabins, group barracks, dining hall, and swimming pool, were not destroyed in the fire.
Opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, bicycling (paved or gravel roads only), geocaching, swimming (summer), birding, and nature study are available. There are 7 miles of hiking trails, and a hilly 12-mile road that for driving and bicycling connects Bastrop with nearby Buescher State Park.
The park is home to various birds and wildlife, including: white-tailed deer, Eastern Cottontail, squirrels, Virginia opossums, and nine-banded armadillo. Birders may observe the following species: turkey vulture, red-bellied woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, Eastern phoebe, blue jay, Western scrub jay, American crow, Carolina chickadee, black-crested titmouse, Northern mockingbird, Northern cardinal, and field sparrow.
Fishing in available in 1/2-acre Lake Mina. The park’s former 10-acre lake is now dry due to dam failure experienced in late May 2015. Located a short drive from the park, 900-acre Lake Bastrop offers fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming, and water skiing opportunities.
History
For more information on the Civilian Conservation Corps’ work at Bastrop State Park, visit The Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s collection of over 420 architectural and survey drawings from the park.
Location
Located on State Highway 71 three miles east of Bastrop in central Bastrop County, and just 32 miles east of Austin.
Hours
Open 7 days a week year-round from 8 AM to 10 PM for day use activities.
Check for restricted park access before any trip.
Fees
A park entrance fee is charged per day — $5 per person for adults 13 years of age and older. (Listed fees may be inaccurate at certain times of year due to seasonal changes. Contact the park directly to confirm fees.)
Campsite and other facility fees are in addition to the park entrance fee.
Visit parks often? Learn about the $70 Texas State Parks Pass which exempts the passholder, and the passengers in their vehicle, from the entrance fees at all Texas State Parks.
Reservations
Events
Check the Wild Texas Events Calendar for activities scheduled at the park.
Bastrop, Texas Weather
Photo Gallery
Official Contact Information
The State Park is managed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
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Bastrop State Park 100 Park Road 1A Bastrop, TX 78602 Telephone: (512)321-2101 |
Notes:
- AggieReplant: Rooted in Tradition, Texas A&M University, “Bastrop Lost Pines Recovery,” accessed May 25, 2016, http://replant.tamu.edu/node/137. ↩
Bastrop is still recovering from wildfires but it’s a beautiful area with plenty of historic sights to see along with some terrific mountain biking trails. My wife and I have both completed rides on FM 969 from Austin to Bastrop and it’s exhilarating!