Lost Maples State Park

visited the park when the baby monarchs were flying south. absolutely amazing!!! we actually lost the trail while hiking because there were so many butterflies flying in our faces!!! (not an exaggeration at all) everyone who wants to see wild country, this is a great place to go.

We got up really early in the morning and drove 5 hours to get there and ended up arriving around 11 am. By then the line of cars to get in was so long I thought it was for something else so we started to go around them, but had to turn back once we realized it was actually the line for the park. well worth the wait in the car. we had packed a picnic lunch so we ate our hard boiled eggs and rocked out in the car for a while. lost maples is a truly unique and beautiful place. We plan on camping there next fall.

Lost Maples is a beautiful park and worth a visit any time of year (except cedar allergy season). But the few weeks each autumn when the leaves turn red and gold are the best.

The Maple Trail and part of the East Trail form a 1.5 mile loop that crosses the Sabinal River twice at stepping-stone fords. When the leaves fall, they blanket the ground and surrounding hillsides. The East Trail also makes a wider loop past natural overhangs, over a steep hill, and down to a small pond. My opinion: don’t bother with the overlook at the top. It’s the same view along the trail a few minutes later.

Last time I tried to go (Fall 2005), I was amazed at the line—at least three miles of cars parked on the two-lane road, waiting to get in. Camping reservations are probably the best way to secure a visit in October-November.

it’s almost impossible to get in there in fall when the Maple trees turn red

Maple Trees are extremely rare in Texas. Also not many tree’s leaves turn red.