Bastrop State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife

08/29/2026

⛈️☔️ We are getting some really wonderful rain and thunderstorms right now!
❗️With the forecast showing 45% chance of continued rain and thunderstorms through the beginning time of the Full Moon Night Hike program tonight, and continued cloud cover which will block the light from the full moon, for safety reasons, the Full Moon Night Hike is cancelled.

🚫🔥 Even though we are receiving some rain this evening, the county wide burn ban is still in place. No wood, charcoal or ash producing fires are allowed. Containerized fuel can be used only for cooking purposes.

08/28/2026

⏳ONE WEEK LEFT!⏳

Deadline to Apply: Friday Sept. 4th at 11:59PM

Join our team as a Maintenance Specialist ranger!

Our rangers are responsible for:

🛠️ Maintaining our facilities and campgrounds

🥾 Keeping our trails looking good and protecting our natural resources

🤝 Providing good visitor information and experiences

🤠 And so much more!

Scan the QR code or follow this link to our job page:

https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=103281&PostingSeq=1&

❓Need help or have questions? Message us or reach out to our hiring contact on the job page.

🌲Come join our team and work among the lost pines! 🌲

08/21/2026

NOW HIRING

Have you ever wanted to introduce yourself as a Park Ranger? Work outside and create positive visitor experiences?

Look no further! Our sister park, Buescher State Park is hiring 3 maintenance rangers!

Our rangers are responsible for:

🛠️ Maintaining our facilities and campgrounds

🥾 Keeping our trails looking good and protecting our natural resources

🤝 Providing good visitor information and experiences

🤠 And so much more!

Scan the QR code or follow this link to our job page:

https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=103281&PostingSeq=1&

❓Need help or have questions? Message us or reach out to our hiring contact on the job page.

🌲Come join our team and work among the lost pines! 🌲

08/15/2026

🦌🦃🦆🕊️🐟🎣
Hunting License go on sale today for the 2026 - 2027 seasons!

🪪Looking to purchase a hunting license? Stop on by our sister park's HQ, Buescher State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife to purchase yours today!
Their Head Quarters is open every day from 8am to 4:30pm and sometimes closed on weekdays at lunch hour from 12pm to 1pm.

New season Hunting + Fishing licenses go on sale TODAY! 🎣 🦌
Order online or find a nearby retailer at tpwd.texas.gov.

➡ Updated identity verification rules are now in effect to combat residency fraud and support TPWD law enforcement. Here's what to know: bit.ly/LicenseIDFAQ

100% of license sales support Texas’ wild things and wild places. Thank you! 🙏

08/14/2026

🌊🤽 Pool Hours Update🚨

☀️🏖️ The summer pool season is coming to an end. As our wonderful lifeguards head back to school, our pool hours must change too.

🌊The pool will now be closed Monday-Friday.

🏊‍♀️This weekend will have open swim opportunities on Saturday from 1:30pm - 7:00 pm and Lap Swim on Sunday from 8:30am - 10:00am.

🛟The remainder of the summer will have open swim opportunities on Saturdays from 1:30pm - 7:00pm and on Sundays from 12:00pm - 5:30pm, as well as Lap Swim on Sundays from 8:30am - 10:00am.

🏊‍♀️Last day of the season is Labor Day which will have open swim from 12:00pm - 5:30pm.

🩵💙💦Thanks for sharing another fun summer season at the historic Bastrop State Park pool with us! 💦💙🩵

📸 Pictured below is a post card of the Bastrop State Park pool. Anybody remember the old diving boards? Take a guess in the comments below at the year this post card was sent!

08/13/2026

⚠️ Park Alert 🚨

Bastrop and Buescher State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife are now under a Burn Ban.
🚫🪵🔥No wood fires allowed. Charcoal and containerized fueled fires are still allowed for cooking purposes only.

🖤🌲 Thank you for helping to keep the Lost Pines safe during dry and crispy conditions.

08/05/2026

📣Today’s the day!

👨‍🚒Reminder: our Wildland Fire Crew, park staff, and staff members from Texas A&M Forest Service, Bastrop Fire Department, Bastrop ESD2, Heart of the Pines Fire Department, and Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management will be conducting a wildland firefighting simulation training along portions of Bastrop State Park today,Wednesday, August 5th during the 9am through 1pm.

⚠️There will be equipment and staff present along park roads and trails. Please use extra caution, drive slow and stay alert for staff along roadways.

‼️Pine Hill Loop Estates might notice more fire or park vehicle/staffing presence patrolling the roads and the park border as part of the simulation training. Do not be alarmed, there is no active fire.

🚒Roads affected by increased pedestrian and equipment traffic will be Park Road 1A from the lake dam to Park Road 1C; Park Road 1A and 1C from the Scenic Overlook parking area to Harmon Road; 1C & Harmon Road to Park Boundary at Harmon Road; Gotier Trace and 1C intersection. Equipment may be staged at the mowed powerline area of Gotier and 1C intersection.
🚨🚫Trail affected by closures due to increased firefighter and equipment traffic: Sections of The Lost Pines Loop from the Old Roadbed to Harmon Road.

🌲We will not be using fire due to this being a simulation training exercise, but you will see wildland firefighters, brush engines, dozers, UTV's, and work trucks from multiple organizations around the areas mentioned. We want to assure you that it is not a fire, just a training to help all of us be better prepared for possible future events. ⚒👩🏽‍🚒

📸The picture below shows staff from multiple agencies getting ready for the briefing for this mornings training.

07/31/2026

📣Park Alert
👨‍🚒Our Wildland Fire Crew, park staff, and staff members from Texas A&M Forest Service, Bastrop Fire Department, Bastrop ESD 2, , and Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management will be conducting a wildland firefighting simulation training along portions of Bastrop State Park on Wednesday, August 5th during the morning hours through 1pm.

⚠️There will be equipment and staff present along park roads and trails. Please use extra caution, drive slow and stay alert for staff along roadways.

🚒Roads affected by increased pedestrian and equipment traffic will be Park Road 1A from the lake dam to Park Road 1C; Park Road 1A and 1C from the Scenic Overlook parking area to Harmon Road; 1C & Harmon Road to Park Boundary at Harmon Road; Gotier Trace and 1C intersection. Equipment may be staged at the mowed powerline area of Gotier and 1C intersection.
Trail affected by increased pedestrian and equipment traffic: Sections of The Lost Pines Loop from the Old Roadbed to Harmon Road.

🌲We will not be using fire due to this being a simulation training exercise, but you will see wildland firefighters, brush engines, dozers, UTV's, and work trucks from multiple organizations around the areas mentioned. We want to assure you that it is not a fire, just a training to help all of us be better prepared for possible future events. ⚒👩🏽‍🚒

📸The picture below shows staff gathered in a circle discussing the task ahead for their natural resource day project. These members worked on mechanically thinning out areas of the forest along restoration areas. While this team did not need to be in the wildland firefighter uniform, the team members participating in the training on Wednesday, August 5th will be in Wildland Firefighter uniforms.

06/09/2026

🚙Which road are you taking? 🚴‍♀️

🌲There’s lots of beautiful views to take in while cruising around the park! You can even take scenic Park Road 1C all the way to Buescher State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife and see varying recovery from different wildfire affected areas.

🌻🌸🌼🪻No matter which park road you choose, you’ll see spring flowers still blooming due to all the wonderful rain we have been receiving! Thanks El Niño! 🌦️

06/05/2026

👀 Check out our June programs! Don’t be bored this summer, bring the family for a fun time under the Pines at Bastrop State Park!

🌲Kids 12 and under are free at all Texas State Parks! Adults are $5 per person for entrance fees. Programs are completely free to attend after park entrance fees are paid.

⛈️ All outdoor programs are subject to cancellation if inclement weather is occurring.