Lost Maples State Natural Area: Everything You Need To Know
Oct 12, 2020 | Travel
Fall has arrived in Texas, which means theres finally a reprieve from the heat in sight. And what many dont realize is that it also means its almost time to go experience brilliant, vivid fall foliage.
Yes, thats right. You can actually see trees change color in Texas. An easy road trip west of San Antonio lies Lost Maples State Natural Area. Located on the Sabinal River, Lost Maples features bigtooth maples that turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn. You really have to see it to believe it!
Below, well tell you everything you need to know about one of Texass best hidden secrets.
Sit Back And Birdwatch
Dont forget to pack your binoculars when you visit Lost Maples because there are plenty of birds to spot. Because of the rich diversity within Lost Maples State Park, there are plenty of opportunities to see birds you may not typically find.
You can pick up a handy bird guide at the Visitors Center to guide you in your bird watching endeavor. A few birds to watch for are the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo, both of which live in Lost Maples State Park.
Medina Highpoint Resort Tx
Enjoy a luxurious RV rental vacation when you camp at Medina Highpoint Resort. Near the vibrant city of San Antonio, Medina Highpoint Resort makes a perfect base for exploring the Texas Hill Country. Whether you plan to stay for a night or for a week, the captivating beauty of the region will make for a memorable excursion.
You’ll have the comforts of home when you’re camping at Medina Highpoint Resort. Campsites are equipped with full hookups with 20/30/50 amp electrical service. There are also restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities available for guests to use.
When you arent out hiking in the rocky Hill Country wilderness, take advantage of the recreational amenities at the RV resort. Nothing beats the heat like
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Camping In Garner State Park
Camping is a widely popular thing to do in Garner State Park, there are 6 different camping areas! There are full hookup sites for your RV, campsites with electricity and campsites with water for pitching a tent. Some of the camping spots have waterfront views of the Frio River. Prices range from $15 $35 nightly and bookings open up 5 months in advance.
How Long To Spend At Lost Maples Texas
Your length of stay at Lost Maples State PNatural Areaark depends on how you want to spend your time. You can drive out to Lost Maples for the day and soak up the fall colors on a hike or two.
You can also decide to spend longer in the area to camp and truly immerse yourself in the park.
If you want to check off most of the hikes on your list, it is recommended to come for at least a couple of days.
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How To Get Tolost Maples State Natural Area
If you are coming to Lost Maples State Natural Area from San Antonio, you will have at least two choices. You can take US 90 West to Sabinal, Texas. Then, turn right on RM187 and drive until you reach the park in about 37 miles. You can also take Interstate 10 West to Exit 556A. Follow Texas 16 N to Medina. Then, turn left on Ranch Road 337 to reach Vanderpool, where you will turn right on RM 187 to reach the park.
If you are coming to the park from Austin, take Interstate 35 South to Exit 172 at Universal City, Texas. Take the Texas 1604 loop and exit on TX 16 North. Drive to Medina, where you will take a left on Ranch Road 337 to reach Vanderpool. You will need to turn right on RM 187 to enter the park.
Cost Of Visiting Lost Maples Natural Area
If you plan to travel to multiple state parks, then the annual Texas State Park Pass is the best option. If you have a larger family or visit parks often, the pass will pay for itself in no time.
If you are simply coming in from out of town and want to explore for the weekend, a day pass for an adult is 6 dollars, and kids 12 and under are free.
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Luxury Cabin Rentals Near Lost Maples Natural Area
Located just two hours northwest of the city of San Antonio, Texas, Lost Maples State Park is known for its autumn color, but is spectacular all year round. Here you can see abundant wildflowers, rugged canyon walls and the picturesque Sabinal River. At Lost Maples you can hike, take a photo shoot, go fishing, look for birds and other wildlife. You can even go camping and stargazing. Lost Maples protects a special stand of Uvalde big tooth maples. Many people come here to see colorful leaves on these and other trees in autumn. The spectacle varies according to weather conditions. There are more than 10 miles of trails, including a loop that takes you along a 2,200-foot clifftop. The best way to experience what Lost Maples offers is going camping. Lost Maples State Park cabins are ideal for a family getaway. These Lost Maples camping cabin rentals are fully-equipped to make your stay unforgettable. Take a look at these cabin rentals near Lost Maples Natural Area and book yours here at Glamping Hub!
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Bring Plenty Of Water
Water is a must when you are hiking anywhere in Texas even if it does not feel hot, you will still likely be sweating. Grab a reusable water bottle to ensure you have water for your entire adventure.
When packing water, do not forget to bring enough water for your dogs! If you are hiking with your dog in Texas, you must always remember that they will need water as well.
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Quiet Texas Rv Park Tx
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to camp near San Antonio, park an RV rental at Quiet Texas RV Park. This small RV park is positioned just outside the quaint city of San Antonio. Campers will find a grocery store and several restaurants just a few minutes away, and there are lots of nature trails that meander through the surrounding countryside. Bring your pup along for the ride this South Texas RV park is pet-friendly.
Quiet Texas RV Park campsites come with full hookups that support 30/50 amp electrics. Pull-through and back-in sites are available, and there are a few amenities around the park, including a
South Llano River Campground Tx
South Llano River is a campground that lies withing South Llano State Park, a wonderful place for motorhome camping trips, as well as all kinds of recreational activities on the land and in the water. Located on the western edge of Texas Hill Country, the area is abundant with wildlife and features a lush pecan grove river bottom and rocky upland backcountry. The main attraction is the unique South Llano River, which, according to historical records, has never run dry.
The campsites at South Llano River State Park provide various options for different types of camping preferences. Around 58 sites include 30 amp electric and water hookups, plus a picnic table and nearby restrooms with hot showers. There are also
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Lake Medina Rv Resort Tx
During your next Texas Hill Country camping trip, consider a stay at Lake Medina RV Resort. On the shores of Upper Lake Medina, the RV resort offers easy access to some of Central Texas best destinations. You’ll get a sense of Texas heritage when you camp at Lake Medina RV Resort, too a historic working ranch is on-site. Whether you plan to hike the rocky elevations of the region, explore the vibrant city of San Antonio, or just get lost in the meandering rivers of the Hill Country, there is so much to enjoy when you rent an RV near Medina Lake.
The campsites at Lake Medina RV Resort are available with full hookups, and sites with partial hookups
Triple T Rv Resort Tx
Located close to the town of San Antonio, TX, the Triple T RV Resort is a medium-size RV campground with almost 60 campsites. More than half the sites are pull-thru, that can accept rental RVs up to 75 feet long, and the remainder is back-in sites.
Every site on Triple T RV Resort has full electric, water, and sewer hookups, free WiFi, and 12 free TV channels. This is designed to be a real home from home campground, but with the added benefit of the beautiful views over the Hills Country region. Campers particularly appreciate the individual restrooms with showers.
While RV camping at the Triple T RV Resort, youll want
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Outside Lost Maples State Natural Area
Nearby Bandera is known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, and you can find many fun activities related to the western way of life to participate in. Vanderpool is a sleepy farming community surrounded by numerous scenic drives that have been rated as some of the best in the state. Utopia and other communities are also nearby and welcome you to come to visit them.
Spanish Dagger Rv Park Tx
Spanish Dagger RV Park is located in western Texas, just outside of the small town of San Antonio. Texas’s capital city, Austin, is a three-hour drive from the park.
Campsites at Spanish Dagger RV Park have amenities to make your stay more comfortable. Every site has full hookups with 30/50 amp electric connectivity. Campers have access to a WiFi hotspot, too. Pets are welcome, although some restrictions apply. Modern
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About Lost Maples State Natural Area
Home to the Kiikaapoi ,JumanosKónits?…?…íí gokíyaa , and Coahuiltecan, this sacred land is ripe for spring wildflowers as well as a palette of fall colors in autumn. Popular activities at Lost Maples include fishing, birdwatching, stargazing, camping, and hiking.
The State Natural Area protects the unique strand of Uvalde bigtooth maple trees and a long stretch of the Sabinal River. Whether you visit for a quick stroll or scenic drive or stay for an entire weekend, Lost Maples is 100% worth adding to your adventure bucket list.
Birding is another frequent activity at the park. Lost Maples is the home to a plethora of flying friends, including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler as well as the recently de-listed black-capped vireo. You can discover the depth of birdlife here by reading the Birds of Lost Maples State Natural Area: A Field Checklist.
Learn How To Reserve A Texas State Park
The ranger basically explained the grotto as a former cave that was now opened up. The geological wonder has rock formation that looks like bubbles and stalactites. It was January, but she mentioned that even in warmer months this section does feel a bit cooler.
Stand here and close your eyes and listen to the water dripping down to the water below. Then notice the maidenhair ferns growing and the various colors on the wall. On our last visit, someone had scraped their name into the wall for everyone to admire! *sarcasm.
When the ranger was explaining the route she mentioned that the grotto can be easily missed. I can see what she meant by walking right by it. In this direction, its to your right, but its behind a curve in the trail lower and behind some trees. Youll see a bench, so be on the lookout for that. While I was down there I did notice some hikers walking by, so not sure if theyd already been there or just werent interested.
This is where it starts getting fun.
Right beyond this point of interest is the sign warning hikers about whats about to follow. The warning of steep terrain, and a rock ladder of sorts welcoming you into the next 300 feet of elevation.
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Texas Outside Campground Rating System
Texas Outside uses a tough rating scale and its difficult for a campground to get a 10. Each park is rated on:
- Scenic Beauty: a campground that is flat with no trees or character gets a 1 and hills, lots of trees, beautiful lake site, and lush ground cover gets a 10
- Park Condition: the cleaner, well kept, and maintained campgrounds receive high scores
- Amenities: we are looking for lots of amenities like restrooms, dump stations, playgrounds, boat ramps, shelters, concession stand, rental toys, and more.
- Campsites: low scores are given for sites that are right next to each other have no lantern holder, no water or electricity, no fire pit, no grill, or no picnic table have no trees and no view the ground cover is crushed rock and they require a lot of work to get your rig level.
- Things To Do: Bonus points are given for campgrounds that offer lots of fun things to do at the park or very nearby this includes: biking, hiking, climbing, boating, entertainment, golf, swimming, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, and more
Admire The Best Fall Foliage In Texas
Lost Maples State Park is known all over the Lone Star State as the place to go to see fall foliage. The beautiful bigtooth maples within the park put on a show every fall, showing off their bright colors.
You can catch fall color at Lost Maples State Natural Area in fall months ranging from roughly late October-November every yearcheck the foliage report for updates on the best time to visit.
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Hike To The Scenic Overlook
Begin your hike on the East Trail, and as you go along, you will soon find the trail will turn into a bit of a rocky uphill climb. Make sure to take your time as elevation climbs, but know that you will be rewarded with remarkable views once you get to the top.
When you get to the top, make sure to take a minute to catch your breath on the bench provided and soak in the beautiful scenery.
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Campground Tx
In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Campground is a convenient RV camping site close to San Antonio, which are only two hours drive away. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park campsites offer full hookups with 50/30 amp service, access to restrooms, and cable TV and wireless internet connections. Choose a site at the Pecan Orchard if you want to stay in a shadier spot with some privacy, or in the Upper Loop if you want a more open RV space. Picnic tables and barbecue pits are available to Fredericksburg campers at one of several pavilions that can be reserved for large gatherings.
With several on-site amenities and opportunities for outdoor
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What Is The Best Time To Visit Lost Maples State Park
You can genuinely visit Lost Maples throughout the year to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Summer in Texas is usually very hot, so planning is essential.
If you want to see fall color and visit Lost Maples at its absolute best, late October through November is your best bet.
Although the fall color at Lost Maples is remarkable, it is also fun to go back at different times of year to see how the landscape changes and develops.
Lost Maples State Park is a small state park that boasts a lot of diversity and change that you are sure to find something new every time you visit.
Lost Maples State Natural Area: Things To Do Tips + Guide
Known for its magnificent fall colors, Lost Maples State Natural Area is a rare find in Texas. Lost Maples is located in Vanderpool, Texas, and is home to a rare maple that paints the tree line with oranges and reds every fall.
This incredible state park is quaint and smaller than most, but it makes up for its small size with its remarkable and ever-changing landscape. Lost Maples provides you and your family many things to do to soak in the beautiful landscape that surrounds you.
Another significant aspect of Lost Maples State Natural Area is its proximity to many fun towns and attractions that you can work into your travel plans. There is truly something for everybody in your family to enjoy during your trip to Lost Maples, Texasand since you almost certainly will need to drive at least a couple of hours to get there, its worth making the most of your time.
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In this travel guide, we will cover the best things to do in Lost Maples State Natural Area, as well as tips and advice for visiting, and what else to see in the immediate area.
Whether youre visiting Lost Maples during the brilliant fall foliage period or simply to take advantage of its beautiful year-round hiking on and around the Sabinal River, heres what to know before your trip!
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