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Attractions in Bastrop County
Bastrop County makes for some of the best vacation spots in the entire state. Within its boundaries you’ll find lovely scenery, family-friendly establishments, historic and iconic landmarks, and fantastic restaurants and eateries. Check out the following list of attractions in Bastrop County for a better idea of all the area has to offer. To find out more, visit Explore Bastrop County.
Bastrop County Courthouse and Jail
Bastrop County’s courthouse and jail are two historic late 19th-century buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse, built in 1883 and still in use today, features the arched windows and imposing clock tower of the Romanesque Revival style of architecture. Meanwhile, the 1891 Old County Jail is considered a masterpiece of second-empire Victorian. Tour the courthouse to see old photos of Bastrop, then step inside the jail to see the infamous hanging hook on the second floor.
803 Pine Street
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 581-7100
Bastrop Opera House
The roots of the Bastrop Opera House stretch all the way back to 1889, when popular tastes of the time called for grand live performances. Today the venue is much more family-friendly, presenting award-winning dinner theatre, musicals, and plays starring both community actors and professional thespians. The building itself is worth the trip for history buffs, as it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
711 Spring Street
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 321-6283
Bastrop State Park
Flooding and fires took a serious toll, but new tree and plant growth have helped this beloved state park recover to its former glory. Camping, hiking on seven miles of trails, fishing in Lake Mina, swimming in the famous Bastrop State Park pool, and biking are just a few ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Hop on your bicycle and ride the winding and hilly 12-mile road that meanders between loblolly pines to Buescher State Park, another venue for adventure.
100 Park Rd 1-A
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 321-2101
Buescher State Park
Though it’s smaller than nearby Bastrop State Park, Buescher keeps outdoor lovers coming back with its lovely, stocked lake, eight miles of hiking and biking trails, and lots of shade for beating the summer heat. Campers can take advantage of screened shelters and cabins, which offer running water, fridge, microwave, and other amenities, depending on which you select. The lake allows non-motorized watercraft only, making it a great option for canoers and kayakers.
100 Park Road 1E
Smithville, TX 78957
(512) 237-2241
Capital of Texas Zoo
Marvel at more than 500 rare and beautiful wild animals at the Capital of Texas Zoo located about 20 minutes east of downtown Austin. Tigers, kangaroos, zebras, and other exotic critters reside in the zoo set within a wooded area. Part of the experience is a petting area where you can get up close and personal with a deer, lemur, and even a python.
376 Jenkins Road
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
(512) 303-6675
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm
Pick your Christmas tree right from the source at this farm, which offers a selection of cypresses, pines, and firs throughout the holiday season. During the fall, the farm also hosts a pumpkin festival and other family-friendly events.
120 Natures Way
Elgin, TX 78621
(512) 281-5016
Evergreen Farms
A wide selection of Christmas trees is also available at Evergreen Farms. Choose from a variety of cypress, pine, and fir trees and have it cut down right down right in front of you. The farm also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as a spring gardening workshop in April and May and a fall harvest pumpkin hunt in October and November.
242 Monkey Road
Elgin, TX 78621
(512) 281-4833
Lake Bastrop North Shore Park
Unpack a picnic and take in the view of Lake Bastrop, cast a line from the fishing pier, and go for a refreshing swim. These are a few of the things you can do in North Shore Park, a park that has plenty of appeal for anglers, campers, and nature lovers. The park is connected by a 4.5-mile hiking and biking trail to South Shore Park, another scenic retreat with its own set of adventures.
603 FM 1441
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 498-1922
Lake Bastrop South Shore Park
South Shore Park, the larger of Lake Bastrop’s two parks, is home to a hiking and biking trail, swimming areas, a fishing pier, and a public boat ramp. Canoe rentals are available on-site, as are 18 mini-cabins with heat and air conditioning, a front porch, and a grill. Waterfront, full hookup, and primitive campsites are also within the park, providing a place to hang your hat under Texas wide-open night sky.
275 South Shore Road
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 498-1922
Lost Pines Art Center
Bastrop’s spectacular art center, operated by the Lost Pines Art league, showcases the paintings, sculptures, and other works of more than 100 artists. Before visiting the gallery, pause a moment to enjoy the displays in the sculpture garden that includes a water feature replica of the Lower Colorado River.
1204 Chestnut Street
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 706-5668
Playhouse Smithville
The 60-seat Playhouse Smithville is a uniquely intimate theater where you can catch a musical, play, or comedy throughout the year. In the past, productions such as Steel Magnolias, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol have all graced the Smithville theater’s stage. Information about the current season and ticket purchases are available on the venue’s website.
110 Main Street
Smithville, TX 78957
(512) 360-7397
McKinney Roughs Nature Park & Event Center
Explore rolling box canyons, wildflower meadows, and the meandering bends of the Colorado River at McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Situated just 13 miles east of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the nature center is home to hundreds of plant and animal species, making it ideal for nature lovers and wildlife watchers alike. The park also has a spacious meeting room that can accommodate up to 100 attendees, as well as a catered dining hall and three dormitories that sleep up to 128 guests.
1884 State Highway 71W
Cedar Creek TX 78612
Texas Parks & Wildlife Paddling Trails
Bastrop is making a name for itself as a paddling hotspot thanks to the slow-moving waters of the Colorado River. The shorter of the two, the six-mile El Camino Real Paddling Trail, starts in downtown Bastrop and ends at the Lost Pines Recreational Trails area. Meanwhile, the drop-in for the 14.3-mile Wilbarger Trail resides a few miles northwest of Bastrop and takes you through numerous river bends. Regardless of the route you choose, you’ll enjoy spectacular scenery and fishing, and you may even see ospreys, hawks, kingfishers, herons, and other gorgeous birds.
Bastrop, TX 78602
The Dinosaur Park
Forget skeletons; this outdoor museum resurrects dinosaurs in all their colorful glory through life-size replicas. In addition to ogling 55-foot-long Spinosauruses in a natural environment, you and your young Indiana Joneses can conduct a fossil dig, do a scavenger hunt, enjoy the playground, have a picnic, or browse the Dinosaur Store to take a piece of the experience home with you.
893 Union Chapel Road
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
(512) 321-6262
Zip Lost Pines
What better way to savor Bastrop County’s natural beauty than by soaring above its treetops? That’s exactly what you’ll do at Zip Lost Pines. Glide from one platform to another along six dual zip lines while you admire the pine forests and steep canyons of McKinney Roughs Nature Park. On the up to 2.5-hour tour you’ll also traverse suspension bridges and take in amazing views of the majestic Colorado River. Rate information and tickets are available on Zip Lost Pines’ website.
1760 State Highway 71W
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
(512) 761-2323
