Bastrop State Park Camping: The Complete Guide for 2026

Updated May 2026 · 12 min read

Pull up to Bastrop State Park and something immediately feels different from every other Central Texas park. Instead of cedar and live oak, you are driving through loblolly pines — towering, straight, casting long shadows across the campground. You are in the Lost Pines: a 70-square-mile island of pine forest isolated from the East Texas Piney Woods by 100 miles of blackland prairie. It has no business being here, which is exactly what makes it special.

Bastrop is also just 35 minutes from downtown Austin, making it the closest true pine forest camping to the city. With 91 campsites, a seasonal swimming pool, 8.5 miles of trails, fishing, and 13 historic CCC-built stone cabins that feel like they belong in the Appalachians, it is one of the most complete parks near Austin. Here is everything you need to know.

The Park at a Glance

Bastrop State Park is located in Bastrop, Texas — about 35 minutes east of Austin. The park has 91 campsites spread across several loops: Piney Hill (sites 1–25, full hookup), Copperas Creek (sites 50–78, mix of water+electric and full hookup), Deer Run (sites 27–42, water only), and a small Creekside walk-in area. It also has 13 historic CCC cabins. Entrance is $5 per person per day.

The park was devastated by a massive wildfire in 2011 that burned through 96 percent of the park's pine trees. The recovery has been remarkable — young pines fill the forest understory, the canopy is returning, and the park has been thoughtfully restored. Visiting now means seeing a forest in active regeneration, which is its own kind of experience.

The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) built Bastrop State Park in the 1930s, and the craftsmanship is visible everywhere. The stone cabins, pavilions, and buildings are genuinely beautiful historic structures and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

How to Get a Campsite at Bastrop

Bastrop is extremely popular because of its proximity to Austin. Weekend campsites sell out 5 months in advance during peak season (March through November). The reservation window opens at 8 a.m. Central Central time, exactly 5 months before your stay date. If you want a spring or fall weekend, set a reminder and be online when that window opens.

Midweek stays — Wednesday and Thursday nights especially — are dramatically easier to book even during busy seasons. If you have flexibility in your schedule, a midweek trip to Bastrop means a quieter park, shaded sites that are easier to snag, and the same trails and swimming pool with a fraction of the crowds.

The CCC cabins book up even faster than campsites. These 13 stone cabins have air conditioning, full kitchenettes, and private bathrooms — they are genuinely special and people plan well in advance to get them. Book immediately when the window opens if a cabin is your goal.

For last-minute access, cancellations are your best bet. People change plans constantly, and sites at a park this close to Austin get rebooked quickly when they open. Set a Camp.land alert and you will be notified the instant something becomes available.

Campsite Types at Bastrop

Bastrop has a wide range of site types, from full RV hookups to primitive walk-in tent sites to fully furnished cabins. Here is how each option breaks down.

Piney Hill Loop (Sites 1–25) — Full Hookup

Piney Hill has 25 full hookup sites with water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric at $25 per night. Pull-through sites are available, making this the best area for large RVs. The pine canopy here provides solid shade — one of the best-shaded campgrounds near Austin. Tent camping is not permitted on these full-hookup sites.

Copperas Creek Loop (Sites 50–78) — Water + Electric and Full Hookup

Copperas Creek is a mixed loop. Sites 50–68 are water and 20/30-amp electric at $20 per night (RV and tent friendly). Sites 69–78 are full hookups with water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric at $25 per night. This loop is closest to the bathhouse and seasonal swimming pool, making it the top pick for families with kids. The restrooms are modern and the location is convenient.

Deer Run Loop (Sites 27–42) — Water Only

Deer Run has 16 water-only sites at $15 per night for tent camping. No electric hookups. This loop is more secluded than Copperas Creek or Piney Hill and tends to attract tent campers who want a quieter experience. The young pine forest in this area is beautiful and the loop is less trafficked. Good choice for a more peaceful stay.

Creekside Walk-In Sites (Sites 43–44, 46–49)

Six walk-in tent sites at $15 per night with water available nearby. You carry your gear from the parking area to the site. These are the most secluded tent camping option in the park and are perfect for campers who want genuine separation from the RV loops. Quiet, shaded, and ideal for a solo or couple trip.

CCC Stone Cabins (Cabins 1–13)

Thirteen historic stone cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s at $110 per night. Each cabin has air conditioning, heat, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom. These are genuinely beautiful historic structures — thick stone walls, wood-burning fireplaces, and a craftsmanship you simply do not see in modern park facilities. They sleep 4–6 people and book out months in advance. Worth every dollar for a special trip.

Best Campsites at Bastrop

For families who want to maximize the swimming pool and have hookups, sites 50–68 in Copperas Creek are the best location — close to the pool, bathhouse, and playground area.

For couples or small groups who want the most private tent camping experience, the Creekside walk-in sites (43–44, 46–49) are outstanding. Small, quiet, shaded, and separated from the RV traffic.

For RV campers with large rigs who need pull-throughs and full hookups, Piney Hill (sites 1–25) is the best fit. The pine shade here is excellent for keeping the rig cool in summer.

For a genuinely special experience, book one of the CCC cabins. Cabin 1 is often cited as having the best setting. These are historic, beautiful, and completely unique in the Texas state park system.

What to Do at Bastrop

The 8.5 miles of trails wind through the recovering pine forest and along Copperas Creek. The terrain is gentle compared to Hill Country parks — these are pleasant walks rather than strenuous hikes. The trails are well-marked and enjoyable year-round. The recovering forest makes for interesting observation: in some sections, the fire damage is still visible next to vigorous young pines coming up through the understory.

The seasonal swimming pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is a major draw for summer family camping — an actual maintained swimming pool inside a state park is unusual and appreciated when it is 95 degrees outside.

Lake Bastrop, managed separately by the Lower Colorado River Authority, is adjacent to the park and offers fishing for bass, catfish, and crappie. You will need a Texas fishing license. Ask the park staff about current conditions and access.

The town of Bastrop is genuinely charming with an active Main Street, good restaurants, bakeries, and antique shops. It is worth an afternoon. The drive along TX-71 through the Lost Pines is scenic and gives good views of the pine forest.

Seasonal Tips

Spring (March through May) is beautiful. The understory wildflowers bloom in the recovering forest, temperatures are comfortable, and the park is at its greenest. Spring weekends sell out fast — book exactly when the 5-month window opens.

Summer is when the swimming pool is open, which makes Bastrop one of the better summer camping options near Austin. The pine canopy provides meaningful shade that the open Hill Country parks cannot match. Still hot, but more manageable. Weekdays in summer are easy to book.

Fall (September through November) brings cooler temperatures and some fall color from the hardwoods mixed in with the pines. The park is quieter than spring but still popular on weekends.

Winter is peaceful and often available with minimal advance planning. The stone cabins have heat and are particularly cozy in winter. Bring a jacket and extra sleeping bag warmth — nights can dip into the 30s.

What to Bring

• Firewood: You cannot gather wood in the park. This is a fire recovery area and wood collection is prohibited. Buy firewood before you arrive — the town of Bastrop has several options, or pick it up at an H-E-B on the way.
• Swimwear: The pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Even outside pool season, the creek is worth exploring on a warm day.
• Layers: Even in summer, nights can cool into the 60s under the pine canopy. In fall and winter, bring serious warm layers — the pines hold less warmth than open campgrounds.
• Bug repellent: The pine forest environment means mosquitoes, especially near the creek. Repellent is useful from spring through fall.
• Fishing gear: If you plan to fish Lake Bastrop, bring your gear and a valid Texas fishing license.
• Camera: The CCC stonework, recovering forest, and pine light make Bastrop one of the more photogenic parks near Austin.

Nearby Attractions

Bastrop is the eastern anchor of a great multi-park Central Texas trip. McKinney Falls is 35 minutes west — closer to Austin with limestone waterfall swimming on Onion Creek. The city of Austin is less than an hour away for anything you need. Buescher State Park (connected to Bastrop by the scenic 12-mile Lost Pines Loop Road) is worth a day trip for a quieter, less-visited pine forest experience.

Stop Refreshing. Start Camping.

Bastrop books up fast for good reason — it is the closest pine forest camping to Austin and one of the most comfortable parks in the system. Camp.land monitors availability around the clock and sends an instant alert the moment a site or cabin opens up due to a cancellation.

Set up your alert for Bastrop and stop checking the reservation site manually. When something opens, you will know first.