49 Lost Pines
A day hike through the Lost Pines of Texas.
Distance: 8.5-mile lollipop
Approximate hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation: 390 to 570 feet
Trail surface: Dirt path
Best season: Fall through spring
Water availability: None
Land status: State park
Nearest town: Bastrop
Fees and permits: Entrance and camping fees required
Maps: USGS Bastrop and Smithville; Bastrop State Park hiking map
Trail contacts: Bastrop State Park, 130 Highway 21 East, Bastrop 78602; (512) 321-2101
Finding the trailhead: Go east of Bastrop on TX 21 for about 1 mile. The Bastrop State Park entrance is at the intersection of TX 21 and Texas Loop 150. Drive into the park past the entrance station and golf course. At about 0.7 mile go right on Park Road 1A. Drive about 1.2 miles on Park Road 1A to the well-marked trailhead on the right. The parking area is on the left about 0.1 mile farther down the road. Ask for the hiking trail map when you pay your entrance fee.
The Hike
Bastrop State Park is in the heart of the Lost Pines, an island of loblolly pines separated from the main body of the East Texas pine forests by about 100 miles. The isolated patch of pine-oak woodland is the most westerly in Texas. Texas becomes drier from east to west, with most pines growing in lush East Texas. The Lost Pines survive in their drier location because of a geologic formation of sandstone and sand conducive to their growth. The pines end abruptly at the boundaries of the sandy soil.
Bastrop State Park was established in the Lost Pines in 1938 with an area of 2,100 acres. Many of the rustic old buildings and facilities were built of stone and hand-hewn lumber by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Later additions have brought the park to almost 7,000 acres. The trail makes a large beautiful loop through lush pine-oak forest.
The well-maintained trail starts by crossing a small intermittent creek in dense pine forest. The first hundred yards or so pass through a group camping area. Brown fiberglass poles with directional arrows on them help mark the trail throughout its route.
At about 0.6 mile come to a well-marked trail junction. Go right. This is the start of the loop; you will return here via the other fork. In less than 0.25 mile cross a primitive dirt road. Backcountry camping is allowed to the east of the road.
Cross a fence about 200 yards past the primitive road. Cross a gravel county road at 1.7 miles. To cut the loop short, you can go left on the road to the other side of the loop. At a pond at about 3.0 miles, the trail may get a bit confusing. Follow around the left (north) side of the pond to find the trail. The trail crosses a power line right-of-way just past the pond. The area past the right-of-way is the most scenic part of the hike, with deep gullies and the largest pines.
At a little over 4.5 miles, recross the power line right-of-way. At about 6.1 miles recross the gravel road. At about 6.75 miles recross the fence and the primitive road, and leave the backcountry camping area. At about 7.3 miles the trail reaches the well-marked Overlook Junction. Go left, back toward the Trailhead Junction. The right fork leads 0.4 mile to a scenic overlook.
At about 7.9 miles you reach the first junction and the end of the loop. Retrace the last 0.6 mile to the trailhead. Watch out for poison ivy on this trail. The trail passes through heavily wooded terrain with no landmarks. Don’t leave the trail; it’s easy to get lost. The park is fairly small, so you would hit a road before too long, but getting lost would still be a nuisance.
Ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers are common in the area, especially from spring through summer. Summers tend to be hot and humid. The park has developed campgrounds and even rustic cabins that can be rented. The hike is an excellent opportunity to see the beautiful Lost Pines of Texas.
Miles and Directions
0.0Start at the trailhead on the left side of the park road.
0.6First junction. Go right.
0.8Cross dirt road.
1.7Cross gravel road.
3.2Cross power line right-of-way.
4.5Recross right-of-way.
6.1Cross gravel road again.
6.75Recross dirt road.
7.3Overlook junction. Go left.
7.9First junction and end of loop. Go right.
8.5Arrive back at the trailhead.