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Cooler Temps Ahead
Getting outdoors can be challenging in summer months in Texas. Here's the good news: Fall is almost here!
Fall offers perfect outdoor weather – warm days for playing, cool nights for gathering around a campfire.
Plan your fall excursion to a state park today!
Hike Pick: Lost Maples State Park
West Trail
Lost Maples State Natural Area is known for its showy bigtooth maples in the fall. But you can tackle the challenging West Trail year-round.
Enjoy peace and quiet during the steep climb to the prairie top. Recover from the climb while marveling at a spectacular view in all directions. As you head down into beautiful and shaded Mystic Canyon, you'll notice slightly cooler temperatures and abundant plants and wildlife. Past the canyon, the trail passes two spring-fed ponds urging you to jump in and cool off.
The West Trail is 3.57 miles. Watch your step on the hilly, rocky terrain! Return to the parking area via the 1-mile East-West Trail, for a total hiking distance of 4.8 miles.
Come see for yourself what makes Lost Maples State Natural Area the premier hiking park in Texas.
TPW Magazine: Park News
Bastrop State Park Increases Houston Toad Presence
Bastrop State Park has taken a major step forward in providing a home for the endangered Houston toad.
Partnering with Texas State University and the Houston Zoo last spring, it stocked about 500,000 Houston toad eggs in park ponds. The egg stocking should help with the survival of this critically endangered species.
The released eggs hatched into tiny tadpoles, mature enough to leave the ponds a few weeks after release. In spring 2021, the female toads will return to the ponds for the mating season.
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Summer Fun
Sun's out, fun's out! Swim, paddle and explore at a Texas State Park.
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