Located at 100 Park Road 1A in Bastrop, just off Loop 150. Despite the damage caused by the Wildfires of 2011 and the flooding and wildfires in 2015 (more info here), Bastrop State Park is open and ready for visitors! Some of the hiking trails are closed, but there's still plenty to explore. Entrance fee is $5/adult or free for children ages 12 and under. For a calendar of upcoming events, including guided hikes, click here.
Photo credit: Trek Texas, Flickr CC.
Located at 603 FM 1441 (North Shore Park) or 375 South Shore Road (South Shore Park) in Bastrop. Hike or bike on a 4.5-mile multi-use trail connecting North Shore and South Shore parks. Entrance fee is $5/adult, $2/senior (65+), military, or disabled, and free for children ages 12 and under.
Read her review of Lake Bastrop South Shore here.
The Colorado River Refuge is located in the Tahitian Village Subdivision along Riverside Drive in Bastrop. Owned and maintained by the Pines and Prairies Land Trust, the Colorado River Refuge includes over 3 miles of trails. Entrance is free and open to the public during daylight hours; closes at 8pm in the summer and 6pm in the winter.
The Lost Pines Nature Trails Project is a multi-phase project to develop recreational biking and walking trails on a 30-acre tract of land along the Lower Colorado River, adjoining and connecting to the Colorado River Refuge. It includes 7 trails stretching over 3.2 miles and 0.5 miles of handicapped accessible hiking and biking trails that connect with the Colorado River Reserve.
Click here, here, and here to see the trail brochures.
Located at 1884 Hwy 71 W in Cedar Creek. An 1,100 acre day use park where visitors can explore close to 18 miles of trails by foot. Entrance fee is $5/adult, $2/senior (65+), military, or disabled, and free for children ages 12 and under.
Photo credit: What's a Roco?
Read their review of McKinney Roughs Nature Park here.
Located at 1490 North Avenue C, just off FM 1100 west of downtown Elgin. Shenandoah is a 40+ acre park that includes a series of five soccer fields and an easy hiking/walking trail. Entrance is free and open to the public.
Photo credit: City of Elgin.
Other trails worth mentioning include the June Pape Hill Riverwalk Trail along the Colorado River in Bastrop's Fisherman's Park and the 1/2 mile walking trail located in Bastrop's Bob Bryant Park.
Photo credit: Luke Parker, Flickr CC.
Note: Due to significant damage from the Hidden Pines fire in October 2015, all trails are closed at Buescher State Park; otherwise it would have been included on this list. For more information, call the park headquarters at (512) 237-2241 during business hours.
If you think we missed one of the best hiking trails in Bastrop County, let us know where you like to hike by commenting below. Thanks, and happy hiking!