In the Heart of the Lost Pines
Known as “the heart of the lost pines,” Bastrop is among the oldest towns in Texas and home to a long and fascinating history. Since its earliest settlement, Bastrop has been a central gathering place along the lower Colorado River where it crosses the Old San Antonio Road (known as the “King’s Highway”).
Folks visiting Bastrop today may be surprised to learn that its earliest known origins were as a meeting ground for the Tonkawa and other Southwestern Indians. At the turn of the 19th century, this area along the river served as a place where Spanish soldiers resided temporarily, subsequently becoming a permanent dwelling place for settlers. In 1827, Stephen F. Austin asked Mexican officials to name it after his longtime friend, Baron de Bastrop. The town was officially established as a Texas town in 1837. On that same scenic bluff east of the Colorado River, Bastrop’s historic downtown district offers its own small-town charm, southern hospitality, and continues to attract travelers from near and far.
These two paddling trails converge in Bastrop and offer water activities for all experience levels. Upriver from Bastrop, the Wilbarger Paddling Trail (named after Josiah Pugh Wilbarger) is a wide, slow-moving 14.3-mile trail. This river journey takes approximately 4 to 8 hours depending on water flow and provides the opportunity for picnic stops and enjoying the vegetative and wildlife habitats along the way. This trail starts in Utley, near the west end of Bastrop County, and pulls out at the popular tree-canopied Fisherman’s Park.
The El Camino Real Paddling Trail begins at Fisherman’s Park and concludes at Bastrop County Nature Park. This 1.5 to 4 hour paddling excursion moves slowly along for 6-miles offering an enjoyable and serene nature experience. As the river winds downstream, the view is enriched with limestone outcroppings and high sandstone bluffs and cliffs. Frequent sand bars and islands provide suitable resting areas. The takeout is easy to spot because of the large sandbar where many folks swim and picnic on the small “beach.”
Lastly, many folks visit Bastrop State Park, located just one mile east of Bastrop, to marvel at the “Lost Pines,” to learn about the history of the area, and to take advantage of a variety of activities. The “Lost Pines Forest” refers to a 13-mile stretch of over 6,000 acres of loblolly pine trees that are a genetic match to trees that comprise the East Texas Piney Woods which are over 100 miles away. This distinct forest was described by Spanish explorer Domingo Terán de los Ríos and later by Stephen F. Austin. Historic features of the park include portions of the Spanish travel route known as the El Camino Real and the design and construction of the park’s facilities. Landscaping and construction were done by the Civilian Conservation Corps and made the most of native materials. You’ll find your adventure here whether you are camping, swimming, cycling, hiking, fishing, geocaching, or looking for wildlife!
These two paddling trails converge in Bastrop and offer water activities for all experience levels. Upriver from Bastrop, the Wilbarger Paddling Trail (named after Josiah Pugh Wilbarger) is a wide, slow-moving 14.3-mile trail. This river journey takes approximately 4 to 8 hours depending on water flow and provides the opportunity for picnic stops and enjoying the vegetative and wildlife habitats along the way. This trail starts in Utley, near the west end of Bastrop County, and pulls out at the popular tree-canopied Fisherman’s Park.
The El Camino Real Paddling Trail begins at Fisherman’s Park and concludes at Bastrop County Nature Park. This 1.5 to 4 hour paddling excursion moves slowly along for 6-miles offering an enjoyable and serene nature experience. As the river winds downstream, the view is enriched with limestone outcroppings and high sandstone bluffs and cliffs. Frequent sand bars and islands provide suitable resting areas. The takeout is easy to spot because of the large sandbar where many folks swim and picnic on the small “beach.”
Lastly, many folks visit Bastrop State Park, located just one mile east of Bastrop, to marvel at the “Lost Pines,” to learn about the history of the area, and to take advantage of a variety of activities. The “Lost Pines Forest” refers to a 13-mile stretch of over 6,000 acres of loblolly pine trees that are a genetic match to trees that comprise the East Texas Piney Woods which are over 100 miles away. This distinct forest was described by Spanish explorer Domingo Terán de los Ríos and later by Stephen F. Austin. Historic features of the park include portions of the Spanish travel route known as the El Camino Real and the design and construction of the park’s facilities. Landscaping and construction were done by the Civilian Conservation Corps and made the most of native materials. You’ll find your adventure here whether you are camping, swimming, cycling, hiking, fishing, geocaching, or looking for wildlife!
