Many Hill Country veterans are familiar with Lost Maples State Natural Area. The site gets its namesake from the trees that brilliantly change color in the fall. Located in Vanderpool, about 2.5 hours to the northwest of San Antonio, the area offers fun for the whole family year-round.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Nature
Get Lost at Lost Maples
By |
Great Campsites
Photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Stay the night in one of 30 campsites that have both water and electricity hookups. If you want to rough it, there are also six primitive campsites on the grounds. Get a good night’s sleep and prepare for a day full of activity.
Trails and Fishing
Photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
For the hiker, biker or trail runner, the area features over 10 miles of trails. One trail includes an overlook rising to a 2, 200 foot cliff. Be warned. Because of the rough terrain, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advises people to stay only on designated trails.
After a hike, ride or run, settle down for some exquisite fishing. The Sabinal River and Can Creek both pass through the grounds. Anglers, you do not need a fishing license as long as you fish from the shore or a pier.
Wildlife and Beyond…
Photo: Flickr/Gary Botello
If you bring your binoculars, you can also experience the beauty of a bounty of birds. The golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo, both endangered species, make the area home. If you catch sight of one of these avian wonders, make sure you snap a photo so your friends will believe you!
Didn’t get enough wildlife at Lost Maples? Then you can hit the Rio Frio Loop of the Great Texas Wildlife Trails. Featured wildlife along the loop include one of the largest populations of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats in the world, a large variety of butterflies, white-tailed deer, Axis deer, Rio Grande Turkey, Green Kingfisher and Black Phoebe just to name a few. Along the route there are also several places to drop in for a swim and put in a tube for a float.
And if none of that excites you…you can still wait for the fall to see the leaves change.
