Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, TX

Located on Highway 21 East, just a little outside of Bastrop is Bastrop State Park in Texas. The state park offers almost 6,000 acres of land for visitors to enjoy. Austin is thirty miles southeast of the state park. Bastrop State Park is the site of the "Lost Pines,'' which is a timber region that is extremely isolated. There are loblolly pine and other hardwoods in the forest. The park was created when the deed was given to the city of Bastrop in 1933. The park took until 1937 to open. Eventually, in 1979 more land was purchased to make it the acreage it is now. Improvements have also been made over the years to make it more comfortable for visitors.

As with any park there are hiking, backpacking, camping, and other recreational activities. There is a recreational center with camping spots for both tents and RV. Here it is possible to play golf or take advantage of the swimming pool. Canoes are available to rent for anyone wishing to take a ride along the water in the area. Wildlife viewing and education programs are also provided at Bastrop State Park.

For individuals looking to go biking there are plenty of beginner and expert trails to go on. The bike paths are on Park Road 1C between Bastrop and Beuscher State Parks. In fact one can take a twelve mile ride through the Lost Pines in the central Texas region. It can be a bit of a roller coaster ride in a few spots, but the scenery from here is unlike any other in Texas.

It is also possible to go along this path in a vehicle. Again, visitors will be on the twelve mile stretch of road where one can see the many trees lining the pavement. Anyone who brings a fishing pole will find many places to put their pole in. Bastrop State Park Lake allows for fishing and canoeing. Visitors may decide to rent a canoe to rest on the lake between bites. It can be quite relaxing without a lot of traffic noises.

The golfing available is at Lost Pines Golf Club. This club has 18 holes with 6152 yards of fairway. It was covered with Bermuda grass to be soft and playable all year. There are electric and pull carts to rent to move around the course. The campsites offer restrooms with showers, picnic tables and grills. Depending on where a visitor wishes to go, they can hike 8.5 miles or 3.5 miles to campsites off the beaten path. These places allow for tent camping only. For those who stay at the park barracks there is a dining hall, outdoor sports area, trails, and even kitchen area. Fireplaces and air conditioning are available when the place is booked for a group. Texas State Parks run Bastrop, so they need to be contacted for reservations. The swimming pool is entirely made of fresh water and lifeguards are on duty to ensure safety of all swimmers.