Bastrop State Park

Padilly's Casita at Bastrop State Park

CAMPSITE #73 ~ COPPERAS CREEK CAMPING AREA. 

Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, Bastrop State Park is one of only seven CCC parks in the nation to be awarded the National Historic Landmark status. It is experiencing a literal rebirth after devastating fires in 2011.

The brutal Texas drought of 2011 resulted in many fires across the state, one of which raged through Bastrop State Park. The extensive damage caused by this fire provides the visitor a rare experience of a forest renewing itself after devastation.

TRAVEL PHOTOS, TRIVIA & TIPS: 

Large motor coaches and trailers may find the pull through sites in the Piney Hill Camping area more suitable. This area is located near the pool and above most of the tree line, giving you sweeping views of the fire damaged park.

YMCA Pool Bastrop State Park
YMCA Pool – It does require a small entrance fee.

Smaller RVs and trailers can also choose the Copperas Creek Camping area, where a patch of loblolly pines survived the fire providing shade, and back in level concrete pads (Padilly’s site was #73).

Padilly's Campsite at Bastrop State Park
This is a panorama of Padilly’s campsite. A burnt section of forest was literally behind the camper.
Campsite-off-Hwy-71
This is a view of our campsite looking towards burnt section.
View of Forested side of Bastrop State Park
This is the view looking in the other direction.

Tent camping can be found at Copperas Creek, and Deer Run (near Piney Hills).

Copperas Creek also had the BEST bathroom facilities I have ever come across at a state park.  Most likely the result of fires destroying the earlier buildings.  Yes, all kinds of good things can come from ashes!

Restroom building Bastrop State Park
New Air Conditioned Bathhouse!
State Park Bathrooms don't get much better than this!
Roomy, Clean, Air Conditioned and Private Show Stalls!

Heavy rains after the fires created some massive log jams and destroyed a small dam.

Massive Log Jam from Lake Bastrop dam collapse
Massive log jam from Lake Bastrop dam collapse
Washed out dam and road Lake Bastrop
Site of washed out dam.

Bastrop is a CCC Park, with many examples of the work from that era.  These parks were built with the natural materials found in the region, like the stone and wood you see in these examples.

Red Trail Overlook Bastrop State Park
Red Trail Overlook Bastrop State Park
Cabin 13 in forest of Bastrop State Park
CCC cabins are for rent in Bastrop, like #13.
Refectory Group Dining Hall
The Refectory Group Dining Hall is a great example of CCC work.
Water Well uncovered by fires at Bastrop State Park
Buried in the forest thicket, this water well was uncovered as a result of the fires.
Beauty from the Ashes

There are several great hiking trails throughout the park, and new growth and nature abound. These trails go along rolling hills, to hill tops, small streams to an empty lake.

Burnt Tree in Bastrop State Park

 

View from hike to Fehrs Overlook
View from hike to Fehrs Overlook
View from Fehrs Overlook at Bastrop State Park
View from Fehrs Overlook
Yellow Trail Entrance by Piney Hill Campsites Bastrop
Yellow Trail Entrance by Piney Hill Campsites
View from Red Trail at Bastrop State Park
We took the Red Trail to the YMCA Swimming Pool
Woman hiking Bastrop State Park's Red Trail
Hiking on the Red Trail
Entrance sign to Purple Trail Bastrop State Park
New growth from the ashes.

Small loblolly pine growing in Bastrop State Park

Discover more on Bastrop State Park here!

Entrance Sign to Bastrop State Park Texas

Sunset from Fehrs Overlook Shelter

Happy Trails,
Mrs. Padilly

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