Lost Maples State Natural Area — Attraction in Bandera

I wanted to take a moment to share with you my recent hiking experience in Las Maples. It was truly a rewarding and beautiful scenic adventure.

Las Maples offers a plethora of hiking trails that cater to all skill levels, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts like myself. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the stunning natural beauty surrounding me. The lush greenery, towering trees, and clear blue skies set the stage for an unforgettable journey.

One particular trail that stood out to me was the Summit Trail. This challenging yet invigorating route took me through a variety of terrains, from steep inclines to gentle slopes. Along the way, I was rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including cascading waterfalls, meandering rivers, and vibrant wildflowers. It felt like stepping into a postcard-worthy scene at every turn.

As I continued my hike, I couldn't help but marvel at the diversity of wildlife that called Las Maples home. Birds of various colors and sizes gracefully flitted among the trees, their melodic songs providing a soothing soundtrack to my journey. Squirrels and rabbits would occasionally cross my path, adding an element of surprise and excitement to the experience.

The well-maintained trails and informative signage made navigating Las Maples a breeze. I always had a clear sense of where I was and what landmarks to expect along the way. The presence of friendly park rangers added an extra layer of security, knowing that help was never too far away should I need it.

In addition to the incredible hiking opportunities, Las Maples also offers a range of amenities to make the visit comfortable and enjoyable. The park boasts clean restroom facilities, picnic areas with ample seating, and designated spots for camping and BBQs. It's truly a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

I cannot express enough how refreshing and rejuvenating my time in Las Maples was. The combination of physical activity, natural beauty, and tranquility was exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries. I highly recommend this hiking destination to anyone looking to reconnect with nature and experience the wonders it has to offer.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my Las Maples hiking experience. I hope it has piqued your interest and perhaps even inspired you to embark on your own adventure. If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to reach out to me. I'm always happy to share my love for the great outdoors.

Take care and...

We stayed overnight at primitive area B and pretty much had the park to ourselves. The leaves have dropped from the maples but the park is still beautiful and the cedars and oaks are always green. Lots of flowing streams. Bring your water, or, do what we did and drink it from the river with a personal water bottle filter. We took the East Trail. The map shows this trail has steep sections and it wasn't lying. I dont know what the elevation gain was but this thing seriously had me regretting every time I've skipped a workout the last 6 months. Mercifully, about half way up there is a bench where you can rest a minute. When you do finally reach the top its breathtaking. The overlook is definitely worth the climb, and there is something so rewarding about being able to look at how far you came. There is a bench where you can take in the world while your pulse returns to normal.

Continuing on to the site, there is a privy- not right by it, but relatively close by. The privy is enclosed, private, and it was clean when we used it. No running water so use sanitizer. Area B has several sites to camp at. One other group was there but we never really saw them or heard them. If you're a hammocker be aware you can NOT hang from the maples in the park. Also, your straps should be two inches wide, or, use tree protectors.

For those not interested in camping there is a day use area and lots of picnic spots. The bathrooms in the day use area do have running water and the ranger station has souvenirs and...

I'm summarizing the journey and features of the park for people who are planning to visit the park for hiking or for the fall color.

Journey: *Park is located in a remote city- Vanderpool and there are no fast food chains/cafe/ restaurants nearby. Nearest ones are like 50mins away in Kerville. Plan and pack some food while visiting the park. *There's a country store 5miles from park,open until 8pm for any emergency needs or small snacks to pickup. *Need lots of water after the hike especially during summer. *Advanced booking is recommended for park especially during fall season as for Nov 2021, all weekend slots are sold out. We were lucky to book in 2weeks earlier.

Features: *There are two hiking areas located within the park. *While in park entrance, staff shall provide with park map and the hiking areas highlighted. Restrooms,overlook and camping areas are also highlighted in the map. *Restrooms are located at each hiking area with potable water facility. *Fall 2021 was little disappointing as we followed the Lost maples Facebook page and booked the tickets Nov 1st week but there wasn't much fall color within the park as seen in YouTube videos. Believe sighting fall color depends a lot on weather and a bit of luck. But in case of hiking this state park is a good option.

Have a nice time in the park. If you got extra time, then visit the twisted sisters route as well....