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Bastrop State Park
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6 reviews for Bastrop State Park
I grew up in East Texas in the boon docks surrounded by Pine Forests and endless adventures in the woods. No wonder I love hiking and exploring so much. The Family Estate has been sold off to Deer Leases and Lumber companies reducing the Historic Farm to a meager 4 acres - it makes me so sad I do not even want to visit anymore. My Childhood Peter Pan Pine Forest Adventure Land has been cut down for F**** lumber...
So, when I discovered Lost Pines in Bastrop Sate Park I felt like a child discovering Neverland all over again. The first time I hiked here was via the luxury resort at Hyatt Lost Pines (with my sisters and mom for a weekend getaway) we also rented horses through the Hyatt and they are allowed on the park trails so watch out for a huge pile of manoor along the trail. The resort was an ok way to explore the trails but I much more enjoy exploring via camping in the park. There are numerous cabins and primitive camp sites in the area. This review is long over due and I have already posted numerous pics over the past few years here check them for what to expect.
Bastrop is a great short road trip weekend away from Austin and you will feel like you miles away in another state.
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During the winter months, I go here once a week or so to enjoy the scenic lost pines. For people looking for a quick daytrip from the Austin area, this is by far one of the most unique hiking locals; honestly, it feels like one is in a different state.
I usually take the long looping trail that about 8-9 miles or so long... overall its a pretty novice hike outside of its length. There are other x-crossing trails near the trailheads if one is looking for a shorter hike.
Overall, I think it would be a coinflip between Pedernales Falls and Bastrop for my favorite park in central Texas. Enchanted rock and Inks lake are up there too.
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This review is actually for the lake itself as we did not go to the park on the other side of 150.
To begin with if you are going to take the exit from 150, turn your blinkers on at least half a mile or more before trying to take the turn. As you can see this is a very narrow two lane high speed hiway through the woods and while it is very beautiful, the streets to turn off on are dangerously small and narrow. My wife and I imagined the horror that people who live off this road must face when trying to get in and out, and fog would be a deadly mix. So just be very careful and know that everyone is going way too fast for this narrow of a hiway.
When entering and speaking to the Park Ranger we told him that we only had an hour or so to look around (as we were headed to the airport to pick someone up) and just like at any State Park in Texas they will / should let you in free in that case, as they did with us. We parked by the boat launch and went wading just a little. The water was very clean and people were swimming in the lake, and fishing. We do plan on going back here with a small boat and going out into the lake to swim when we can make a day of it.
Large clean restrooms, very pretty area to relax out by or on the water.
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We spent a night at the Deer Run campground area of Bastrop State Park over Memorial Day weekend and really enjoyed ourselves. The campsite was nice and spacious. Each site had its own fire pit, bbq, tent area, water faucet and picnic table. The bathrooms were clean and had showers. There is a good-sized playscape for the kids to spend time on as well. The swimming pool is really nice. It costs $2 per person if you already paid entrance to the park and was clean and safe. There's also a golf course a the park.
For other recreation, there are several trails throughout the park and also a small fishing pond. The water itself was murky and uninviting, but there were at least some fish in it. There is a nice road that winds it's way between Bastrop and Buescher parks, which is nice to drive on, but would be even better to bike on.
My only complaint with Bastrop State Park is that it close enough to Hwy 71.that you can hear the cars traveling past at night. We'll be back to the park for daytrips (bbq, swimming, and fishing) since it is only about an hour away from Austin. Recommended!
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We've been here several times for two things and two things only: Hiking and Sledding! Yes- Sledding!!
The trails are nice and shaded amongst all the pine trees. It's very easy with young kids and you can see all sorts of plant life including lots of different types of fungus. Shelf fungi are the coolest ever! It's the perfect place to play with faeries and gnomes if you have kids into that.
Sledding is easy on hills covered in pine needles. Bring along a large piece of cardboard (or some plastic lids to large plastic storage containers) and trek up to the top of a hill. Find a spot that's not rocky and hop on. Be careful. It can get a little slick!
The camp sites are really neat. I can't wait to go on a group trip with friends in one of their cul-de-sac spots where the kids can bring along scooters and bikes. Perfect for a spring or fall weekend. I wouldn't go here in the summer since the pool isn't exactly a feature. But the CCC-built cabins are quite charming in that rustic sort of way. Perfect for that romantic getaway for two.
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Had a great overnighter here a couple of months ago. Get space #64 if you can ... All the others seem to be uncomfortably close to a road or another campsite. But not this one.
My only complaint? Though it was already summer, the pool was closed, and there was nowhere to swim. I'd rather swim in a natural lake than a pool anyway, but the park's only lake is tiny Lake Spur, which looked pretty gross. We had to take a 20-minute drive north to Buescher State Park to swim in the lake there (even though it is supposedly not allowed).
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