Featured Park

Bastrop State Park Is Historic Playground Amid Lost Pines

History, swimming, camping, biking, fishing, golf, bird watching, picnicking and the endangered Houston Toad combine to make Bastrop State Park one of most intriguing and important state parks in Texas. Almost half a million visitors a year from throughout the state – many of them traveling to and from the state capital – visit the almost 7,000-acre park in the heart of the renowned “Lost Pines.”

In 1933, the federal government’s newly created Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) arrived amid this westernmost stand of loblolly pines to replant the heavily logged forest and develop what would become the prototype for dozens of Texas state parks showcasing the CCC’s trademark National Park Service rustic style of construction. Bastrop State Park’s refectory showcases the superb CCC craftsmanship.

For four years, workers from two CCC camps at the site tackled the Herculean task of transforming the over-cut pine forest into a picturesque park featuring not only handsome, red sandstone and timber cabins and other buildings, but also a swimming pool and nine-hole golf course. One CCC camp eventually moved on, but Company 1811 remained through 1939 to complete the park infrastructure that included a variety of buildings, bridges, picnic tables and water fountains – most of which still remain. As a result of the work done 70 years ago, Bastrop State Park stands as one of only a handful of state parks in the nation designated a National Historic Landmark. (The park will host a 75th anniversary celebration of the CCC on March 29-30, 2008.)

In recent years, a purchase of adjoining lands has almost doubled Bastrop State Park’s acreage, though park development is confined to roughly 500 acres. The reason for the relatively limited development: a major population of the federally endangered Houston Toad that favors the sandy pine forest habitat that exists within Bastrop County, including the state park. Some 2,000 of the vocal, medium-sized toad are estimated to live within park boundaries. Nocturnal and reclusive in nature, the Houston Toad only emerges from underground in late winter and spring to breed.

“The main thing people can find here,” says park superintendent Todd McClanahan, “is a similar ecosystem to East Texas’ piney woods without having to drive another 130 miles. There are so many things to do here, whether it’s hiking on trails, primitive camping, staying in a cabin, cycling, swimming, playing golf or taking advantage of our full-service campsites.”

Bastrop State Park’s 13 climate-controlled cabins built of native materials seem to sprout from the loblolly pine needles covering much of the park’s forest floor. Built by the CCC out of native red sandstone and pine, the popular cabins overlook a 10-acre lake and sleep two to eight persons. Air conditioning, large rock fireplaces, a microwave and kitchen facilities make renting the cabins on weekends far in advance a necessity. McClanahan advises people planning to rent the cabins ($65 to $150 a night) on a weekend or holiday to reserve them well ahead of time. To make a reservation as much as 11 months in advance, call (512) 389-8900 or visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Web site: http://tpwd.state.tx.us/business/park_reservations/.

The lake, which is stocked with catfish, bass and sunfish, proves popular with anglers who can fish from the banks or rent a canoe. As part of the ongoing Free Fishing in State Parks program, park visitors can fish at the park without a fishing license.

RV users and tent campers can choose from the park’s four campgrounds clustered in the southeastern corner of the park. Some campsites are water-only, some water and electric and still others full hookups offering water, electric (50-amp) and sewer. All campsites come with a picnic table, fire ring, grill and lantern post. Campsites range in cost from $12 to $17 a night.

Large groups may find the Group Barracks area to their liking. Four dormitories equipped with 22 bunk beds in each, a restroom and group dining hall rent for $250 a night. Group Barracks guests also have access to a picnic area that still contains old CCC tables with original rock bases.

Most campers have easy access to Bastrop State Park’s 3.5 mile, mostly flat inner hiking trail, a portion of which follows Copperas Creek through pine and hardwood forests. This is an excellent place to spot a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, armadillos, rabbits and some 200 species of birds. One especially popular resident bird is the pileated woodpecker, Texas’ largest species of woodpecker, usually found only in the pine forests of East Texas. Stop by the Texas State Park Store and pick up a 50-cent guidebook to familiar yourself with the more than 200 species of birds known to reside or migrate through Bastrop State Park and the surrounding area.

Hardcore hikers and backpackers will find more of a challenge by hiking the hillier, 8.5-mile Lost Pines Hiking Trail in the eastern reaches of the park. One of the more popular trailheads sits right across the road from a parking lot adjacent to a stone, CCC-constructed observation tower atop a 590-foot bluff. Pick up a hiking trail map at the park headquarters during check-in or consult maps at trailhead entry points.

Cyclists can’t access the fragile, sandy trails but will find the undulating, 12-mile park road between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks both a test for their endurance and a scenic stress-reducer. Next to Skyline Drive at Davis Mountains State Park, Park Road 1C may well be the most picturesque park road in the Texas state park system for cyclists and motorists alike.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the original 600-square-foot swimming pool offers respite from summer heat. It provides public access from noon to 6:45 p.m. daily except Tuesday, when the pool is closed. Swimming lessons are offered twice daily. Adults pay $2.50 and children (ages 12 and younger) $1.50 to swim, in addition to park entry fees.

In 1997, the park’s original 9-hole golf course was expanded to 18 holes. The 6,000-yard long course in rolling, pine tree-lined Lost Pine Golf Club provides a good test for players of all skill levels. The Lost Pines Golf Association has operated the course since 1935. Green fees including a cart run $20 weekdays and $29.50 for weekends. Senior citizens provide a discounted rate. Call the park’s golf course pro shop directly at (512) 321-2327 for more information.

Bastrop State is one of 93 parks that make up the Texas State Park System. The park is located 32 miles east of Austin and one mile east of Bastrop on Texas 21. For more information about the park, call (512) 321-2101. To learn about other Texas state parks, call (800) 792-1112 toll-free, or visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Web site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/parks.