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Bastrop State Park, Bastrop

3.9

#1 of 12 in Things to do in Bastrop

Bastrop State Park is a state park in Bastrop County in Central Texas. The park was established in 1938 and consists of stands of loblolly pines mixed with post oak and junipers.HistoryOver 2000acre for the park was donated to the state by the city of Bastrop in 1938. Companies 1805 and 1811 of the Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the park facilities between 1933 and 1939 using native stone to blend with the landscape. The facilities were designed by architect Arthur Fehr.The State of Texas purchased an additional 1450acre in 1979 and another 1000acre in 2000 to expand the golf course from 9 holes to 18 holes. Subsequent land purchases by the state in 2001 brought the park to its current size of 5926acre.In September 2011, 96% of the park was burned by the Bastrop County Complex fire. Only around 100 acres were saved. Most CCC structures were saved, but were still threatened. The park was closed on September 4 due to the fire and did not reopen until December 2. In 2012, a campaign was begun to restore the forest within 30 years by replacing 4 million burned trees.On May 25, 2015, the earthen dam impounding Bastrop State Park Lake failed after hours of heavy rain in the area. The lake emptied and flooded across Texas State Highway 71. The water moved through a subdivision south of the highway and emptied into the Colorado River.

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Bastrop State Park Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

164 reviews

Google

4.6

kimcatus

August 6, 2017

I'm not really sure I can accurately describe my experience here. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...oh wait, that's been used before. I came here for a trail race through the park ... more »
James S

July 25, 2017

Bastrop State Park has a partnership with YMCA for summer pool activities that are for the whole family. Thanks to funding by the Texas Legislature, reconstruction of the park lake & other park assets... more »
DianaBrentTravels

July 10, 2017

The forest was burned down a few years back, and driving around is pretty upsetting. There wasn't much to do aside from camp, and we paid $10 to enter and leave because we thought the lake was at the ... more »

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Brendan Schroeder

July 8, 2017

Friendly, helpful staff who provide a very well preserved and progressing park. The smell of pine is all around as you hike the trails, or bike the roads, or fish the pond, or swim in the pool. A very cool place to camp. We always have a great time here, any season. Enjoy!

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Bobby Davis

May 29, 2017

3 things: beautiful place great restroom facilities, and amazing rangers. The sites and trails were just beautiful. Even after forest fire devastation in 2011, still a lot of trees, and beautiful place. When I walked into the restrooms, couldn't believe it. Air conditioned, clean, and updated feel. Also, outside the restrooms, there was a nice breezeway with a kitchen cleaning station to help motivate #leavenotrace. The rangers awesome. We had a great tour guide, and then there was Ranger Jamie. She politely greeted us when we arrived, and then she became our hero. Concerned about our specific sites during a potential storm, she helped us relocate and carry our tents to safer ground. She also kept us posted on conditions. I would love to keep Bastrop State Park my own secret, but it would do the keepers of it a disservice. This place was just fantastic.

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William McKiernan

July 3, 2017

The park is getting better. The trees are growing and the park is recovering from the fire. The staff is helpful and the bathrooms are clean with AC and hot water. Noise from HWY 71 prevents the 5th star

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Lshona991

March 26, 2017

Best park ever. Stayed in cabin #4. Amazing price, so quiet both day and night, and over-all the most beautiful and peaceful place to spend as a family or to just get away from the kids for a weekend. Park growing back nicely, and they should be filling the spot by cabins back up with water before too much longer. Despite that it's a beautiful 11 mile drive down to Beuscher St. Park if you want to fish, kayak, etc.... Love this place. First time visitors, life time returners from Galveston.

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Charles Munro

May 28, 2017

Hands down - this is my favorite place in central Texas! My heart sank after the fire -then the dam failed during a flood. I will always patronize and show my support for this park about all others. The staff are always courteous and helpful. Highly recommended!

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