Buescher State Park

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Buescher State Park

  • Buescher Biking
    Take the whole family on a bike ride through the woods.
  • Buescher Cabin Porch
    Rent a cabin overlooking the park's small lake.
  • CCC Group Picnic Shelter at Buescher
    Reserve this historical picnic shelter for your next group gathering.

Into the Woods

East of Austin and a short drive past Bastrop State Park, you’ll find its sibling, Buescher. Set up camp, hike or bike under tall trees, or fish and paddle the 30-acre lake at this peaceful park.

Things to Do

Visit for the day or spend a weekend – you’ll find plenty to do here!

Hike

Explore nearly six miles of trails through the forest. You’ll pass by oaks and cedars on the Winding Woodlands Trail and hike under towering loblolly pines on the challenging Pine Gulch Trail. Be sure to stop by the Big Tree – it’s a former state champion cedar elm.

Bike

Take your bike on the road or a trail. All trails (except CCC Crossover and Big Tree Trace) are open to mountain biking.

Bike (or drive) scenic Park Road 1C between Bastrop and Buescher state parks. The hilly 12-mile road takes you through recovering and forested areas of the Lost Pines. Learn more about recovery after the Lost Pines Wildfire.

Stay overnight

Choose your campsite: with electricity, with water only, or primitive walk-in. We also have screened shelters and cabins without restrooms. Restrooms with showers are available throughout the park.

Groups

Reserve the historic group hall or pavilion for your next outing. The Civilian Conservation Corps built both in the 1930s.

Civilian Conservation Corps

In addition to the group facilities, the CCC built the lake and dam, a hiking trail, and more. Learn about their efforts here on The Look of Nature: Buescher.

Shopping

Shop for gifts and souvenirs at the park store.

Get involved!

Ask at headquarters how you can help. Or you can:

Ranger Programs

We offer programs on the nature and history of the park; check our Events page for the schedule. Contact the park for special tours.

Tawny crazy ants, an exotic invasive species, are in the park. These ants do not sting. TPWD is working with experts to reduce the number of ants without harming the park’s other wildlife. Learn more about invasive ants.

Kids

Become a Junior Ranger at Buescher!

Area Attractions

For information on shopping, museums and more, visit:

100 Park Road 1E
Smithville, TX 78957

Latitude: 30.039098

Longitude: -97.158295

(512) 237-2241

Mailing:
P.O. Box 75
Smithville, TX 78957-0075

Entrance Fees
  • Adult: $5 Daily
  • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
  • Driving Tour Fee: $3 Daily
  • Adult Group Day Use: $3 Daily
Hours

Open daily.
6 a.m. - 10 p.m. 


We often reach capacity; we highly recommend reservations for camping and day use. To guarantee entry, 
reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit.

Climate

January average low is 38 degrees. July average high is 96 degrees. Average rainfall is 36.5 inches.

National Weather Service forecast for this area
Elevation

324 feet