I loved lost maples, it is a beautiful state park/natural area. I went for the first time in November with my mom hoping to catch some foliage and we definitely did see plenty both on the way and at the park! The trail isn't too hard; I did the east loop going clockwise since the volunteers told me there was probably a little better foliage along this loop than the west loop. I was able to do the whole thing and return to where I started in a little under 2 hours. It was a relatively warm day; I was grateful i bought my personal fan when going up the steep part because I was definitely starting to sweat! After that though it was mostly flat and then back downhill so no issues with getting hot. I got several lovely photos along the way and was certainly reminded how gorgeous and colorful Texas can be! Only note: be sure to make a timed entry reservation if you go during the peak season (fall) because it absolutely sells out! I tried going with a friend last year and we didn't have a res and we were turned away - we ended up going to Garner state park which is also gorgeous and fun, about 30 mins drive away from lost maples. This year we got entry for the 11a-1p entry time, and by the week or so prior to going, everything was sold out for that Saturday we were going. So bear that in mind! read more

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What a wonderful place to find. This is mostly on the Maple Trail and East trail in mid November, 2025. Came with a group of friends and had a wonderful time here. Definitely recommend. read more

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Park office staff very helpful. We went late Feb and parking was fine but I hear the horror stories regarding parking in the fall and can see why. VERY limited parking for busier times. read more

Lost Maples State Park will truly hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. My now fiancé proposed to me on Saturday February 1st, 2025, here at Lost Maples State Park. Going through the East to West trail was the best way to finish the hike and get in the full view. From moderate to easy, all the way to the car. It's no wonder people come here. It's so beautiful and truly underrated. Through the streams of water, to the rock formations, and the beautiful views, you'll wish you went sooner. Put away your phones, other than using it to take photos, because there's no signal. Enjoy nature. read more

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We made a reservation during Thanksgiving break, make sure to check a few weeks in advance. They also have an Instagram and Facebook account, so you can see if there are pretty fall foliage. It was a beautiful hike, and we saw some gorgeous yellow, red, and light green foliage. The visitor center was clean, and the employees were helpful. Hike to the tall overlook, and the last 20 minutes of the hike is grueling. It's a pretty steep incline, paved with white rocks. Internet connection is on and off throughout the park. read more

Lost Maples State Park - Parks Near Me - Vanderpool, Texas

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One of my coworkers recommended this place to me. He told me there was a "monkey rock" along the hike, so I had to see it for myself. He wasn't lying! There's actually a rock that resembles a monkey. The hike itself was decent, but finding this rock was like the icing on a cake. Definitely bring water and be prepared to take some cool pics! read more

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Love hiking out at Lost Maples! It's especially fabulous during the fall when all the leaves are changing, and the colors are just bright and vibrant. They have several different hiking trails all at different levels of ability. We had a pretty intensive trail that went up to the left and around it was quite rocky and took some serious navigating. Definitely got a great workout, climbing up and stepping precariously on rocks. They do have other trails that are simple paths that you can walk on without much elevation or hazard. It's just great getting out into nature with all of these fabulous views and bright colors around you. I highly recommend for hikers of all levels. They also have camping there however I've never done this. We got an annual membership to the state parks and really enjoyed experiencing different ones. But lost Maples has always been a favorite! read more

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It has been ruined. There are too many people now and I have never seen so many Mexicans there. They don't know how to behave, constantly violating park rules, loud and obnoxious, going off trails, smoking marijuana, their children running around without supervision and invading other people's space or splashing water on them, leaving trash, etc. They have ruined it like they do everything else. This is not an area where outsiders are welcome. Stay out. read more

This is a "Bucket List" item that I have actually not tried, but God will get around to traveling to and experiencing firsthand myself some fall, once the price of fuel returns to more friendly levels; the photos of the rare in Texas maple trees are magnificent. and apparently there are trails and rather rustic camping opportunities among them; personally, and quite unfortunately, my personal life has been changed radically to a new rather sedentary state, because I became a quadrilateral amputee with significant hearing loss from the deadly disease meningoccemia that I contracted in 1995, in New Zealand, where I was a college lecturer in management-organizational behavior. I used to surf, snowboard, and camp-explore and live in harmony with the natural world that our creator, God Almighty provided all to respect and enjoy. Cheers, Mark C. Fearing, Ph.D. (ShredderV@aol.com). read more

Lost Maples State Park - Mark C. Fearing's portrait with a faded image of a full color Texas flag superimposed over it. - Parks Near Me - Vanderpool, Texas

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So I actually used to be the the Texas state park ambassador for this park years ago. So I'm very familiar with it :) I adore this park. It's a 3 hr drive for me to get there, but I don't mind. The park is stunning. From the high cliffs to the low valleys, there's beauty at every turn. The reason I actually chose Lost Maples to be my park was because personally, it has everything I want in a park. Cliff side scenic views, low breezy valleys, gorgeous trees/foliage, water/streams etc. And who can say no to a rock that looks like a monkey?? Truly one of the most special and beautiful parks in Texas. read more

Lost Maples State Park - November 2022, East Trail - Parks Near Me - Vanderpool, Texas

It's a beautiful park with lot of different trees and wildlife. Pretty good hiking for all levels. We also took a stroll to visit the monkey rock. It's a rock that looks like a monkey. Kinda fun. Best time to visit is in the fall when leaves change colors. I certainly did not expect this type of terrain nor vegetation in this area. Cool place! read more

This park is a fantastic hike and well worth your trouble... but before getting to far into this, let's get a couple caveats out of the way. 1. If you live in SATX proper, this is a bit of a drive for a day-hike. We're willing to go out of our way for a great hike, so it was worth it. We went early in the morning got in a great hike and caught a late lunch in Bandera on the way back. So it's totally doable. 2. This park is in the middle of nowhere. Zero cell service and the signs make it clear that the closest medical facility is the hospital in Kerrville which is like 50 minutes away. Not a deal breaker, but important to know (and plan for) up front. Now, that said, this is an awesome place to hike. So many great natural features, varied terrain, and fantastic overlooks and vistas. The hikes are challenging, but doable and you will be well rewarded for your efforts. Plus if you want a place to see fall colors in central Texas, this is it. We got here a little late in the year to see all the colors... but we still got to see a fair amount. This is a park that you will want to take your time in. There are so many spots where you will want to stop and just take it all in. Whether it's a natural spring bubbling into a pool, or an epic vista where you can see for miles. If you're a hiking camper, there are multiple walk in camp sites, which gives you even more time to really enjoy all the facets of this park. There's a reason everyone in the area says this is a must see. read more

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Did a three-day backpacking trip over Halloween weekend. There was great weather with warm days and cool nights. I was disappointed the leaves hadn't changed colour, but we checked the foliage reports beforehand, so we knew in advance. I did a trip here late November three years ago, and the foliage was beautiful. However, nights were very cold. The hike to the scenic overlook at the highest area of the park is a steep ascent but grants very pretty views. The primitive campsites were solid, and there was a good spread of composting toilets. We filtered water from the pond for drinking. read more

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Want to see Fall in Texas? Then you have to check out LMSP. Beautiful trees abound with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows sprinkled in your typical hill country greenery. There is a large network of trails here with varying degrees of difficulty - of course the large vista views come from hiking up the steep hill, but if you are in for just a general nature walk and leaf peeping, you get all of that from the flat, easy East-West trail. Pack a picnic! You are definitely secluded in this part of the hill country so it is not easy to just leave for a snack or meal. Plus, there is a beautiful picnic area with tables and grills near one of the trailheads that you will be kicking yourself if you pass up - who doesn't love a relaxing outdoor picnic in the trees? Day pass reservations were required when we went and we booked ours a month in advance because we heard they sold out fast, so keep an eye on that if you are going during peak season (Fall and weekends). read more

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Hey, good park but the maps they give are lacking the same numerical site identifiers as the online booking system. Seems to not matter too much though as my partner and I found a great spot. I would tell you my recommendation but I want to gatekeep. read more

We had an amazing hike in Lost Maples! The weather was beautiful and so was the scenery.

Bring your lunch, walking stick, water, good hiking shoes, fishing pole, camera; and don't forget puppy. The restrooms have a filtered water dispenser that I thought was super cool. Bring extra socks because you just might have to step through a creek in order to follow a trail. Definitely hydrate :) read more

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What a pretty park! We were only able to hike the East Trail as there's still snow, ice and MUDDDD for days. It was about 6 miles rt. We slipped a couple times. I definitely recommend waterproof shoes and trekking poles. You will not have reception once you enter the park and won't have it until you're on higher grounds. I downloaded Alltrails map ahead of time. I look forward to visiting this park again in the fall. read more

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Spent three nights camping here during Thanksgiving Break, and my expectations were exceeded! People flock to this park this time of year for the fall foliage, especially from the Big Tooth Maples that are almost unique to this region. Even though we came on a weak year in terms of fall foliage, I was still delighted by the hues of red, orange, and yellow clinging to the tree branches. This park is known for their hiking trails which include somewhat steep inclines and descents. They are definitely doable with just a good pair of sneakers and having average fitness, but I VERY highly advise wearing a good pair of hiking boots and bringing along a walking stick or trekking poles for a much better time! We had at least six people that passed us admiring our poles, one even jokingly asking how much for one. The 400 feet of incline and 400 feet of descent is no joke. We took the East-West trail and looped through to the East Trail. I recommend doing it in this in this order if you plan on doing both and would like less crowds, as you will be going against the flow. There are sections of the trail near the Maple Trails that goes over steams, and the loose rocks mixed with varying water levels may cause wet feet (not a problem with hiking boots). Monkey Rock was pretty cool as was the Grotto. I may attempt the West trail next visit, but we didn't have time for it as we spent time at nearby Garner State Park as well. Camping is in high demand here this time of the year. I booked my water and electric spot eleven months in advanced. The campers here are very courteous and follow the park rules, probably because of the limited camping spots in the camping loop. Only two spots on the loop offer great privacy, but it wasn't too bad. Primitively camping also seemed popular as an option. The restrooms were clean due to less people using them. Most of the campers in the loop were RVers. Will definitely be returning to this beautiful park! read more

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Just a quick update to my previous review since it's been a few years. I ran the East, West, & West Loop trails today for a total of about 10 miles with about 1000 ft of vert--not too bad for the TX hill country. It was a tough, fun run. The trails are super technical both on the ascents & descents which make it difficult to run: lots of loose rocks & roots. It makes for a challenging trail run. I suspect it will be equally rewarding for hikers. Both the East & West trails are a little over 3 miles while the West Loop is two and change. From my perspective, I thought the East Trail had the best views while the West Trail had the most runable terrain. The tops of all three hills had great runable sections but they were way too short. The West Trail Loop was great. There are several primitive campsites along the all the main trails that campers can hike to which looked very tempting. Protip: If you're just coming in for the day, it's $6. If you look at the map, park in the first parking lot on the *left* because that's where the East Trail dead ends. It'll save you a little walk (when you're tired) as opposed to parking in the larger area (with the rest room) where the East trail begins--assuming you choose a counter-clockwise route. Bring lots of water. read more

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Loved our time The 5 mile hike was a surprise Bet we finished it Saw lizards Tarantulas Fish We spent 20 minutes skipping rocks on water...was A great afternoon Rested Hiked Rested Breathed hard Cursed the map and hiked some more Whole family had fun!!! You need to try it out read more

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Five stars for the amazing Fall foliage! Lost Maples didn't disappoint. I'm so glad I got a reservation in November. Did you know there is a Fall foliage report for Lost Maples? Google it! As of the date of this review, highway 337 from Medina to Vanderpool is closed to repair the Mill Creek Bridge. You'll need to detour! Watch for signs but also map it out because the signs weren't obvious in some places. I, like many this year, have ventured out of the Austin area to search for new trails to explore. My friend and I drove from Austin and back in one day. It's a bit of a trek but worth it. I'd recommend camping or staying overnight at a local B&B if you have the time. You can hike, fish, and swim here. The park area is well maintained with bathrooms, signage, areas for recreation. The trails are challenging and I'd recommend wearing hiking boots since there is rocky terrain and sometimes you're passing through some wet areas of the Sabinal River (depending on the trail). The trails have some tree shade but many parts are not so wear a hat and sunscreen. My friend and I got about 6 miles of hiking in. The map they provide at the entrance is similar to other state parks, easy to read and shows all the trails available. I also found several trail reviews on AllTrails. I'll definitely be back again! read more

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Absosmurfly beautiful and well maintained! The trails names are a bit confusing for a first-time visitor though. I recommend the East Trail, Maple Trail, and the East-West Trail, not to be confused with the West Trail (see what I mean?). Take a look at my uploaded photo for the route we took. It elevated gradually from a low of 1878 feet above sea level to 2258 feet above sea level. The route takes you to the top of a very high hill and has some rugged and steep spots on it. Nothing like rock climbing, etc. but might be a bit too much for pets, etc. Total length of the loop is about 4-5 miles. Bathrooms - there are three natural composting bathrooms on the trails - permanent building structures - not port-a-potties but they do not have running water. Running water bathrooms are located at the day use area and the camping area near the front of the park. According to the map, there is a bathroom with running water at the entrance/pay station but they have it locked and they have port-a-potties instead. The entrance/pay station didn't have any drinks or water when we visited, so make sure you bring your own. The only thing they had was stuff for s'mores. This park has 8 primitive camping areas (including one on top of the big hill on the East Trail), 30 camping spots for tents, campers, RV's that have FULL RV hookups, water, electricity, etc. A very nice day use area that includes picnic tables and BBQ grills. Many of them are covered. Absolutely no cell coverage (at least not my carrier) in the entire park and really not anything between the town of Medina and the park entrance. If you are relying on Google Maps to get you there and back, download an "off-line" Google Map before you go. Free Wi-Fi at the entrance/pay station though. read more

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Beautiful fall colors, well-paved trails, and amazing scenic views made our trip out to Lost Maples State Park so perfect. We made a reservation one month in advance and we're glad we did--the park was at "full capacity" on a Tuesday. We did see some wildlife here and there. Also, for anyone worried about COVID, although the park was "full," it was big enough to keep good distance along the hike. Definitely recommend checking this beautiful park out. We will be back for sure!! read more

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Lost Maples is a great state park to visit. The trails on the east and west have challenging pieces. The West Trail is much quieter and a longer hike. I saw more people on the East Trail and it was easier to follow the path. I got off the path on the West Trail a few times as it looked like a path but ended up turning into a section that was not maintained, thus not the trail. The West Trail was more shaded but the downside to being the first on the trail in the morning was hitting all the spider webs. Bring water and lots of it, especially in the Texas summer heat!! There is a water station to fill up water bottles at the day area where you can park, right in front of the restrooms. If you want to camp here, book your trip earlier, even for day trips. You need a reservation to get in and both days I hiked there was a sign that said all day trip spots had been filled. Lost Maples is a tough hike in certain areas and when the sign says steep, they mean it. Big upward climb- you stay on your feet and don't need your hands to climb it but your thighs will be burning with the huge upward climb. Fall would be beautiful with the leaves changing colors but probably really busy then too. Also, hard to predict when the colors will hit, some years it's December. read more

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Gorgeous hike through the scenic hill country. The drive was equally scenic. We tried to beat the sunset as we didn't want to get lost in the dark!! read more

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Very cool place. We didn't do tons of hiking, so I can't review all the trails, but for the little hiking we did, it was really beautiful. We went on a Friday afternoon so luckily it wasn't too busy. We just walked on I think maple trail and did a small loop. We would have liked to camp but didn't realize that their only tent camping options are a 1-3 mile hike, so you have to backpack all your gear in. We don't really have the gear for that sadly, but hopefully soon so we can come back! Although we did see some people hauling stuff in that clearly was not backpacking gear, honestly only 1 mile isn't that bad to carry stuff in. Certainly try to come on a week day to avoid the crowds! read more

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I arrived at 9:40 on Saturday morning to a line out of the park. Thankfully we made it in before they shut it down. It was 10:30 by the time we paid and got to the trail. Be sure to factor this into your time when planning a hike and arrive before 10am. We did the East Trail (I think). It would be nice if they had a few more trail signs. I intended on doing the west trail but never saw the sign for it. I'm glad I didn't though because the East trail kicked my butt. This trail was moderately challenging the majority of the way but did have about 2 miles of intense challenge. Even so, there were people of all ages on this trail from small children to senior adults who were putting my young butt to shame. The leaves had some color but it was beautiful regardless and the weather was spectacular! read more

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The park itself was beautiful even though the color was not as brilliant as last year. The overcast sky was a nice change, especially as it seemed to have discouraged a lot of the visitors - there was no huge line of cars stretching for miles outside the park, unlike last year. The surrounding country is also pretty - the northern drive between Lost Maples and Garner state park is especially hilly and scenic. TPWD publishes a foliage report you can read to check up on the colors before you go: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lost_maples/foliage.phtml Some more pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_chou/sets/72157621571509507/ read more

Lost Maples State Natural Area is located approximately an hour southwest of Kerrville, TX. This park is located along the Sabinal River and encompasses the fork to Can Creek. The terrain is rocky with elevation changes depending on which trail you choose to take. Most of this park is a fairly easy hike, especially along the rivers and creeks. There are options for the more experienced or willing hiker that pay off with spectacular views. I visited during the winter, when the leaves of the maples have fallen already. This park hosts many people during the fall when the trees change colors, and is fairly quiet during their off season. Despite the fact that the main attraction had already passed, this park is beautiful. It is well worth a trip for a camper or a hiker. If you are someone who is not interested in hiking, fall may be the best time for you to visit. This park offers little other than a day use area to those who would not like to camp or hike. Camping here is not very private, as most TPWD campsites are. The campsites are one next to another, but do provide a bit of space between each site. I highly recommend making a reservation and check out which sites are taken. Choose one away from others if possible. You might be tempted to reserve a spot next to the river; if it's not private enough for you, don't bother. The view of the river isn't great from the campsites. The bathrooms here are CLEAN and masks are worn inside. 10/10 would camp again! Cats will probably come visit you in the campsite, so keep that in mind if you have dogs who may be upset at the sight of them. They are friendly. read more

Gorgeous park for a day hike through hill country. We will definitely be back... I came on a Sunday arriving at 10:30 expecting the park to be full, but as it turned out the park was mostly empty. Maybe it was the overcast, cooler weather. The cost is $6 per person. Dogs get free admission. We parked in the "overflow" lot as it was closer to the trails we wanted to try. We chose the East-West trail with the intention to get onto the West trail, all in around a 4.5 mile round trip. A park ranger stopped to chat and let us know that he frequently has to give dogs rides out of the park due to wearing down their pads. The gravel is quite rough on tender paws that are accustomed to the couch life... so after reaching the Spring attraction on the West trail, we got concerned about our small dogs' paws and decided to turn back. So, it was a 3.5 mike hike and we will leave the spoiled pups at home next time. A bigger dog would probably be fine. What I love about Lost Maples is that there are a lot of overlooks and benches along the way. We really enjoyed taking our time and enjoying the riverfront and springs along the trail. I am glad I wore waterproof hiking boots. Some rocks are loose and slippery and there are many water crossings. We did try to go to Utopia on our way back to San Antonio for lunch but could not find any dog friendly restaurants, so that was a bummer, just FYI. Maybe there are some around that I couldn't find. read more

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Call Ahead! Drove 2 hours from east of San Antonio to find the park closed - and nothing was posted on their website. Update May 2020: Went back after getting a reservation - it's breathtaking. Very limited shopping within 30 minutes, so bring all you need! read more

We loved Lost Maples State Park and we didn't even visit in the well known fall season. We didn't know quite what to expect going in off season or if it would be worth our visit, we LOVED it. There are not a ton of camp sites for RVs but we enjoyed that because it was more quaint and quiet. We hiked the trails and they were gorgeous surrounding by Maple Trees and the lookouts were stunning. The weather was perfect while we visited and we even got to visit the Lost Maples WInery which was right up the road and totally worth your visit! read more

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I really love Texas state parks, but didn't quite love Lost Maples. Maybe it's because I'm from the Midwest, where gorgeous autumn views are an everyday fact of life in October and November, and no one feels compelled to travel for them. Maybe the blustery and overcast day combined with the long wait at check-in didn't put me in the right frame of mind. Who knows? (To the ranger station's credit, they do sell affordable marshmallows and cool walking sticks.) In any case, I'm happy to check Lost Maples off the list, but probably wouldn't make the three-hour drive from Austin to do it again, especially not with great parks like Inks Lake, Pedernales Falls, and Enchanted Rock significantly closer. So, did a November trip hoping to see some changing leaves. Oddly, the best views of these were on the drive to the park rather than the park itself, so I felt a little underwhelmed. The water and electric campsites are cheap and well-maintained, but also on top of one another, so be prepared to overhear your neighbor's conversations. If we came back, we'd probably go for the primitive areas, as I wasn't a huge fan of the spacing. There are nice picnic tables with awnings in case of rain and standard campfire pits. The ground is perfectly amenable to setting up tents. The two walking trails we did (the East-West and the Maple) offered some nice views of the surrounding hillsides and foliage and are, as advertised, suitable for most mobility levels. Being peak season for the park, the trails were a bit congested, but not unpleasantly so. Unfortunately, the walking trail areas are separated significantly from one another, with no interconnecting foot routes. We walked from the camping area to them, but that mainly involves walking along the side of the road and pulling your dogs out of the way of cars. Driving from one lot to the next is recommended. So, maybe I missed the better trails I'm reading about in some of the other reviews. In any case, there's clearly enough here to justify a day trip if you live nearby, but we'll likely call Lost Maples one-and-done. read more

My mom and I had a blast hiking here! It's much smaller than the neighboring Garner State Park without much to do other than take a stroll, but we loved how easy and gorgeous the hikes were with fun streams to hopscotch across and even bathrooms along the way. We hiked the east trail to monkey rock which was very well maintained and easy to follow with beautiful views. Very doable for families and kids, and I would definitely come back just to see monkey rock!! It was awesome. We continued with the East trail, not sure what to expect. I nearly gave up 3/4 of the way up because people were coming down and saying there was no scenic overlook, but we persevered and I was actually so surprised. The trail leads you to the crest of a hill, and you walk across the top of it for half a mile while able to see gorgeous views into the valley. Very worth it!! I'm glad we ascended from the east because the west descent was a lot rockier and had less defined steps. We were tired from the 4 mile hike, otherwise I would've loved to see the west trail too. We went the weekend of November 6 and only a few of the trees were beginning to yellow, which was kind of a bummer, but it was still pretty and relaxing. Lots of dogs were out and about, and everyone was very friendly. Also the gift shop was very nice. This is a must-do if you're in the area! read more

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Oh my goodness! We booked a day pass to Lost Maples last weekend and it was the best day ever! We started with the East trail - it has the most incredible views! There are a few spots with a pretty rigorous incline so it might be difficult for those with little endurance. I honestly hurt a bit after making it to the top but it was so worth the views! After hiking about 3.5 miles, we came across a fork in the trail... either turn left and hike one more mile to the exit or turn right to hike the West trail for another 3.5 miles ... hmmm, what to do? We decided to accept the challenge and take the long way back. I'm so happy we did because the West trail is absolutely beautiful! It's definitely more dense in the woods and offers such beautiful photo ops. We enjoyed both trails equally for different reasons. East has more panoramic views from a high elevation and West feels a bit more adventurous. We headed back to our car and got our cooler, propane grill, and food. We then found the most beautiful private picnic area and enjoyed a great lunch while resting our joints. A+ day!! read more

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This park has a little of everything. You can hike , swim , fish and camp. Dog friendly (on a leash) and offers bags for pet waste pickup. Trails are cleared and easy to hike. Many trails go through streams so make sure you were proper shoes and come prepared for some wet feet. They also have camp sites which we will try next time we come out. The rangers are very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean but make sure you go before your hike. They do have restrooms out in the trail but they have a tank and not the flush type of facility. There are many hills surrounding the trails which makes the walks very interesting and relaxing. Overall this is a super nice park with many options for adventure. read more

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Great hiking spot that is dog friendly! Make sure to pack your water bottles for both you and your pup though it gets hot !!

This park opened in 1979 and it is GORGEOUS. And the best times to go are in October and November, hands down. That's when you want to go and see the fall foliage. This is the main reason you want to go. They even have a weekly updated fall foliage report from October to November on the park website. It is helpful when you are trying to plan to go and see the most changes in the colors of leaves that fall. COST: It's $5-$6 for adults and free for children under 12. FUN: Picnicking, camping, backpacking, sightseeing, hiking, photography, bird watching, fishing, swimming and being one with nature :-) TIME: You can easily hike through the entire place in 4hours, and that's taking your time. LOCATION: About 5 miles from the nearest town of Vanderpool, TX. Utopia and Bandera are not far from Lost Maples. Here, it is highly suggested you stay on the designated trails (and of course we didn't). There are many natural hazards due to steep terrain and rock climbing is not suggested. It is very shaded, family friendly, and no one will stare at you like a weirdo because you are taking pictures of red or green leaves, because everyone is doing it! There are shack looking port-a-potties without toilet paper (BYOTP highly recommended) throughout the park, and they are located on the map that is given when you enter the park. There are two trails and each one is about 5 miles, and they reconvene once you get to the fabulous "mountain." This was the only fairly difficult part of the hike, because you're literally walking up a huge, steep, mountain/hill. But it's worth is and it's just about one of the prettiest views. The highest elevation in the park is 2,200. It's about 2.5-3 hours from Austin, and more if you get lost on those tiny, winding backroads. This is a great day trip to take from Austin. We rented a room in Boerne which is about 30 minutes from LM and then hung out there that night after being at the park all day. This needs to be an annual trip! read more

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Such an amazing time spent here during November. Would highly recommend to check this place out. There is so much to see and I loved how there was so many streams with such clear water. The hike was at times steep so make sure to come prepared with plenty of water as well as maybe snacks. The views were amazing since the foliage was high and the trees were changing colors. The people working here are not the friendliest but the views of the park made up for it. read more

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