Bastrop State Park Reopens After Fire

The fire around Bastrop State Park in September 2011 left many families and individuals homeless and confused. In the wake of so much desolation and grief, good news becomes twice as nice to hear.

Bastrop State Park will reopen most of its acreage on Friday the 13th. This is great news for nature lovers like myself. Though large sections of the park remain charred and desolate, officials are planning to open the majority of the park for you to enjoy. Hurry before the summer camping rush hits! The newly-opened areas include:

• Copperas Creek camping area: This area was off-limits due to extreme fire damage. Nobody knew how dangerous sleeping there could be. By now, all the stong men with saws have trimmed the campground to a safe level. Time has passed, so you will see green life growing from the ashes. Spring time will be perfect for seeing the renaissance of Bastrop State Park. Copperas Creek is a popular camping site for visitors and locals alike and it’s a good place to start if you are new to camping.
• Lost Pines Hiking Trail: This. Place. Is. Beautiful. Much like Copperas Creek, this trail suffered extreme damage from the fires. It has always been quiet and serene, so returning hikers will enjoy seeing the pine-oaks reclaim their still landscape. Native wildlife like armadillos, squirrels, rabbits, and white-tail deer have been repopulating along the trail as well. You could spend days hiking the 100 or so miles of Lost Pines’ rolling terrrain.
• The park cabins. The cabin area may be the most beautiful part of the park. With space for up to eight people per cabin, this is the place you want to go for a family weekend. Each cabin has an air conditioned living room and fans in the bedrooms, so don’t let the Texas heat scare you away. Plus, you can always go for a swim as well! The cabins overlook a small lake and gorgeous countryside. They also contain stoves and microwaves, so  bring some food, silverware and plates. Don’t forget fishing gear also, so you can catch supper!

Bastrop State Park is reopening various other trails, overlooks, and roads as well. That’s great news for a park that lost all but 50 to 100 acres to the fire. In addition to the new openings, visitors can enjoy areas of the park which reopened in December 2011. Be sure to check out:

• Piney Hill & Deer Run Campgrounds: Piney Hill is fully hooked up with water and electric, and Deer Run has only water for the more adventurous types. Each campground is surrounded by a spiderweb of trails.
• The day use areas: Bastrop State Park is perfect for day trips from Austin. Feel free to use both its hiking and walking trails, picnic grounds, water-side recreation areas, and playground.
• The Golfcouse: Bastrop State Park boasts an impressive 18-hole golf course. It is operated by Lost Pines Golf Club and open seven days a week. It’s the perfect place to reclaim that long drive you’ve neglected all winter.

A day pass to Bastrop State Park costs only $4 a person, so get out there before the weather gets too hot. Call 1-800-792-1112 for park information. The park’s address is 3005 Hwy 21 East, Bastrop TX, 78602. Be careful punching the address into your GPS, though, because the location has been known to not show up on those devices.

 

Austinot Dusty asks:
What is your favorite State Park in Texas?