Bastrop County camping areas sit within the Lost Pines region, a unique 13-mile strip of loblolly pines isolated from the main East Texas Piney Woods by approximately 100 miles. This ecological island maintains temperatures averaging 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding areas due to its dense tree canopy. Most campgrounds in this region operate year-round with peak visitation from March through November when temperatures typically range between 65-90°F.
What to do
Hiking through regenerating forest: At Bastrop State Park Campground, visitors can witness the remarkable forest recovery process. "The hiking trails are nice. Visited during the middle of summer, so it was very hot, sunny, and dry. Bring sun screen and plenty of water!" advises Danielle R. The park features several miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty.
Swimming in natural waterways: McKinney Falls State Park Campground offers swimming holes near the Upper and Lower Falls. "The water was warm, and it was perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers. There's a place where you can jump off the rocks into the water," notes Steph C. Swimming areas typically open from 8am to sunset, depending on water conditions.
Fishing opportunities: Local lakes and rivers provide excellent fishing spots. "Perfect place to go especially if you want to fish, nice place to go for peace in the piney woods!" says Cindy C. about Bastrop State Park. Most parks require a valid Texas fishing license for adults, though children under 17 can fish without one.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently mention site privacy at South Shore Park. "Nice, quiet and clean park! We were lucky enough to get a water front site perfect to launch canoe/kayak," reports Beverly M. Sites typically include a 10-15 foot buffer of vegetation between neighboring campsites.
Clean, modern facilities: The bathroom facilities receive high marks at most pet-friendly campgrounds near Bastrop. "The facilities are amazing. Bathrooms have had a lot of money spent on them, with hot showers and full plumbing," notes Danielle R. about Bastrop State Park Campground. Most parks feature family-style bathrooms with showers, updated within the last 5 years.
Water recreation access: Lake Bastrop North Shore Park offers multiple water activities. "The park is nice and quiet and we plan on taking our new rv soon. There are restrooms with showers throughout the park. We enjoy the fishing off of the many piers they have," says Jonathan K. Boat rentals typically cost $15-25 per hour depending on watercraft type.
What you should know
Summer heat requires preparation: Texas summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. "Camped here two nights... Visited during the middle of summer, so it was very hot, sunny, and dry. Bring sun screen and plenty of water!" advises Danielle R. at Bastrop State Park. Morning activities between 7-10am and evening activities after 6pm offer more comfortable conditions.
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer equal amenities or shade. At Bastrop/Colorado River KOA, Michael C. notes: "The park is very pretty however only half of the campsites have shade and ours was unshaded at 90 plus degrees." Reserve sites 3-6 months in advance for prime shaded locations, especially during peak seasons.
Environmental recovery awareness: The 2011 wildfire impact remains visible. "It is heartbreaking to see all the damage to the Pines, due to the wildfires, but it is recovering well," shares Jennifer J. The recovering ecosystem provides educational opportunities about forest regeneration and fire ecology.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Multiple parks offer swimming areas suitable for different age groups. At McKinney Falls State Park, one camper notes it's "perfect for new swimmers with floaties and advanced swimmers." Designated swimming areas typically include gentle entry points with gradually increasing depths.
Playground and activity options: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "They have a children's playground and a nice swimming pool," notes Steve & Ashley G. about Bastrop State Park. Some parks offer junior ranger programs on weekends during summer months.
Multi-generational activities: Buescher State Park Campground offers activities for various age groups. "We stayed here for three nights and we were able to visit Bastrop State park for the day. The water was full of some weeds so fishing was not that great but we rented a camp and enjoyed our stay here," shares Kingrex49 M. Cabin rentals require reservations 2-3 months in advance.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Bastrop offer various levels of hookups. "We lived in a Level site concrete pad surrounded by crushed granite with aluminum picnic table, lantern pole, BBQ grill and fire pit with cooking grill," reports Napunani at South Shore Park. Full hookup sites typically cost $5-10 more than water/electric sites.
Shade considerations: RV campers should prioritize shaded sites during warmer months. "The lack of shade made the RV very hot. Again, our choice of dates," notes Michael C. about Colorado River KOA. Sites numbered 15-28 at most parks typically offer the most shade coverage for larger rigs.
Levelness varies by park: Site levelness can impact setup time and comfort. "The sites weren't anywhere near being level. Not a deal breaker or even a surprise, but when paying a high price at a KOA, I would expect them to be a bit more level than they were," says Noelle H. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, particularly for sites located on hillsides.
