Those who love to spend time outdoors on a picturesque hike or an energizing bike ride will find plenty of opportunities to do both in Bastrop. Explore Bastrop’s top parks for biking and hiking, discover scenic and challenging trails, and find the best lakeside spots for a relaxed stroll.
Bastrop’s Best Parks for Hiking & Biking
Some of the best places to bike and hike in Bastrop can be found in our local parks. At Bastrop State Park, hikers and bikers can make their way through the Lost Pines Forest, which dates back to the Ice Age and boasts pine varieties endemic to Central Texas.
Cyclists who want to break a sweat can journey through Park Road 1C, a 12-mile road with plenty of hills that connects Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park. These parks are perfect for fishing, geocaching, and camping, offering endless opportunities for outdoor fun with friends and family.
Covering over 100 acres, McKinney Roughs Nature Park boasts a multi-use trail system where hikers, mountain bikers, and leashed pups can take in scenic views of local wildlife and native plants.
Bastrop’s Most Exciting Trails for Off-Road Biking
Mountain bikers craving an adrenaline rush will find plenty of thrilling off-road trails in Texas, especially around Bastrop. Starting a Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, the Gideon Loop Multi Trail is a 3.5-mile route with a moderate elevation gain and clear lakeside views.
Just a few miles from Downtown Bastrop, you’ll find Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, another town in Bastrop County. Rocky Hill Ranch bills itself as “the Mountain Biking and Outdoor Events Capital of Texas,” and avid off-roaders in search of top-quality single-track biking will delight in Rocky Hill Ranch’s 13-mile stretch of trail complete with hills, dips, and beautiful wooded surroundings on all sides.
Bastrop’s Best Lakefront Paths for Scenic Strolls
A relaxing walk along a lake shore can prove highly restorative, and whether you’re looking forward to a solo stroll or a companionable jaunt with a friend or partner, Bastrop’s parks have you covered. At the Bastrop County Nature Park on Riverside Drive, you can experience a truly peaceful and scenic excursion by walking through the Colorado River Refuge, which includes over 2 miles of riverfront and cliffside views.
Capture picturesque vistas(and social media photos) of the Colorado River at the June Hill Paper Riverwalk Park, a project spearheaded by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department that connects Fisherman’s Park and the Old Iron Bridge. This park’s paths are beginner-friendly and designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. The half-mile trail also offers picnic areas, so don’t forget to pack a lunch (and maybe a blanket!)
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