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.

Cabin 13 in forest of Bastrop State Park — CCC cabins are for rent in Bastrop, like #13.

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.