Natural Areas in (and near) Bastrop & Caldwell Counties

The Lost Pines area of Central Texas has numerous great locations to observe and enjoy nature. Here are a few of the best! (Click on the titles to visit each area's Home Page for further details.) The Lost Pines Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program makes use of several of these natural areas for our Volunteer Training Classes and our volunteer activities.

Bastrop State Park contains nearly 6000 acres, and is located just outside of Bastrop, TX, approximately 30 miles southeast of Austin. It is the heart of the famous "Lost Pines," an isolated timbered region of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and mixed hardwoods. The Lost Pines is the western-most stand of loblolly pines in the United States. Bastrop State Park is also home to the endangered Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis). The Park is rich in cultural history, with many rustic structures built fromm local stone by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. Because of these structures, Bastrop State Park is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Bastrop State Park provides opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, picnicking, canoeing, swimming (in a pool), wildlife viewing and golfing. The park has approximately 12 miles of hiking trails, with a number of short loop hikes (1 to 4 miles) possible. An 8.5 mile section of the trail, known as the Lost Pines Trail, is available for access to primitive camping and backpacking. Bastrop State Park also a great place for a scenic drive, especially on Park Rd 1C, which links Bastrop and Buescher state parks.

For a great introduction to Bastrop State Park and the unique Lost Pines ecosystem, take a short interpretive hike and "Discover the Lost Pines." (Guided hikes led by Lost Pines Master Naturalist Volunteers and Park personnel)

Buescher Sate Park is another scenic area of the Lost Pines. It features over 1000 wooded acres and is located just north of Smithville in Bastrop County, only about 40 miles from Austin, TX. Activities include non-motorized boating (no ramp/small lake); fishing in a stocked lake; nature study; hiking; camping; and biking. Some 7.5 miles of hikng trails wind across ravines and hills through the mixed hardwood-pine forest, offering a peaceful and rewarding hiking experience. A small lake offers fishing, canoing and kayaking and is the home to numerous species of birds, including mallards, wood ducks, Black-bellied Tree Ducks and many others. The scenic, 12-mile-long, winding, and hilly, paved road between Buescher and Bastrop State Parks is ideal for biking, but should be used only by experienced cyclists.

Colorado River Refuge is a ribbon of riparian habitat along 1.5 miles of the Colorado River in Bastrop, Texas. The majestic old-growth forest along the river is home to numerous birds, including Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, Black-bellied Tree Duck, American Kestrel, numerous Hawks, and Crested Caracara. Serene views of the river and geological rock outcroppings are found along this section of the Colorado River. The area remains undeveloped, however an existing trail along the river offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, birding and environmental study. This section of the Colorado River is also a popular destination for canoing and kayaking. The Colorado River Refuge is a project of the Pines and Prairies Land Trust.

Lockhart State Park is located just west of Lockhart in Caldwell County. The area (over 250 acres) was constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), between 1935 and 1938 and was opened as a state park in 1948. Activities include picnicking; camping; fishing; hiking; nature study; and golfing.

McKinney Roughs is an 1,100 acre nature preserve located 8.4 miles west of Bastrop (13 miles east of Austin). McKinney Roughs has a varied topography, which creates a variety of ecological niches, including the western-most extent of the "Lost Pines". Steep rolling canyons give way to sandy bottomlands. Loblolly pines grow alongside fields of cactus and colorful wildflowers. The land is host to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles and more than 135 varieties of plants. Fish and other aquatic life teem in a two-mile bend of the Colorado River that borders the eastern edge of the property. Although the major focus of the area is on Environmental Education programs for teachers and school groups, there are also wonderful opportunities for recreational use, including hiking on some 18 miles of trails, fishing (on the Colorado River), wildlife viewing and nature study. Trails include a self-guided nature trail, with both segments for the mobility-challenged, and some more challenging segments (some trails are hiking only; others are available for both hiking and equestrian use).

M.O. Neasloney Wildlife Management Area consists of about 100 acres south of Luling, in Gonzales County. Neasloney is a good example of the Post Oak Savannah. It is used primarily for wildlife ecology field tours by public school groups. Outdoor recreational opportunities include wildlife viewing, hiking, and an interpretive nature trail. For access, contact (830) 424-3407.

Palmetto State Park is located in Gonzales County, 6 miles southeast of Luling. The 270 acre park abuts the San Marcos River and also has a 4-acre oxbow lake. The beautiful stone buildings in the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, birding, nature study, pedal boat rentals, swimming, tubing, and canoeing. The ranges of eastern and western species merge at Palmetto State Park, resulting in an astounding diversity of plant and animal life. Most notably, a stand of dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor) plants, from which the park gets its name, is found around the park's ephemeral swamp.

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