Lost Maples State Natural Area: Hiking, Fall Colors & What to Know

Lost Maples State Natural Area is one of the best-known places in Texas for fall color, especially its stands of Uvalde bigtooth maples.

We visited Lost Maples in November for a weekend camping trip. We walked the Maple Trail among the bigtooth maples, spent time along the Sabinal River and hiked up to one of the scenic overlooks, with a huge rock sitting in the river and the view after climbing into the hills.

If you’re planning a trip to Lost Maples, here’s what to know about the fall colors, hiking, camping, reservations and what the park was actually like when we visited.

What Makes Lost Maples Special?

Lost Maples protects an isolated stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples, which can produce the red, orange and yellow fall colors that bring so many people to this part of Texas.

The landscape isn’t just maple trees. Lost Maples includes limestone canyons, wooded slopes, springs, grasslands and clear streams, with elevations ranging from about 1,800 to 2,250 feet. That combination makes the park interesting even when the leaves aren’t at peak color.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Lost Maples?

November is usually one of the best months for fall color at Lost Maples, but there isn’t a guaranteed peak week. TPWD says the foliage typically changes from the last two weeks of October through the first two weeks of November, depending on the weather.

We visited in November and caught the bigtooth maples in color. The park is open year-round, but fall color is what draws most visitors.

Check the Fall Foliage Report Before You Go

During fall, TPWD publishes foliage reports showing what the trees currently look like. That’s much more useful than planning around a fixed peak date.

Check the current Lost Maples fall foliage report →

Hiking at Lost Maples State Natural Area

Lost Maples has more than 10 miles of trails, from short walks to rugged climbs through the Hill Country.

Maple Trail

If seeing the trees that gave Lost Maples its name is your priority, start with the Maple Trail. We walked it during our visit, and it’s where we saw the bigtooth maples up close. It’s only 0.4 mile, takes about 20 minutes, and TPWD rates it easy. It passes through a large stand of bigtooth maples.

East Trail

TPWD rates the East Trail as challenging. It takes you into the rugged terrain that makes the park more than a simple fall-foliage walk.

West Trail and West Loop

The western side of the trail system gives you another way to explore the canyons and higher terrain.

Explore the Sabinal River

The Sabinal River was another memorable part of our visit. We spent time along the river, and one detail I still remember is a huge rock sitting in the water.

The river and surrounding canyons give the lower parts of the park a very different feel from the higher overlooks. Fishing is allowed in the Sabinal River and Can Creek.

Camping at Lost Maples

We camped at Lost Maples for the weekend. The park has two camping options:

• 28 campsites with electricity: $20 per night plus the daily entrance fee, with water and 30-amp hookups, a picnic table, fire ring and shade shelter, and restrooms with showers nearby.
• 50 hike-in primitive campsites: $10 per night plus the entrance fee. Sites aren’t assigned, backpacking gear is suggested, and fires aren’t allowed, though containerized fuel stoves are fine for cooking.

There are no cabins inside the park.

Check Lost Maples campsite availability →

Staying Near Lost Maples

If you’d rather not camp, you can stay nearby and visit for the day. Vanderpool and Utopia both have cabins and other places to stay close to the park.

Do You Need Reservations for Lost Maples?

Yes, especially in October and November. TPWD says those are the park’s busiest months and it reaches capacity daily, so reserve your day pass online or through the Texas State Parks customer service center at (512) 389-8900 to guarantee entry. I’d book this before anything else on a fall trip.

Lost Maples Entrance Fee and Hours

These details can change, so check the TPWD Lost Maples page shortly before your trip.

Visiting Lost Maples With Kids

With kids, the trail you pick matters most.

For a short outing, the Maple Trail is the easy option, while other parts of the park get steep and rugged. Families can also picnic, look for wildlife, spend time by the river and camp, and TPWD lists birding, stargazing and geocaching among things to do.

What to Know Before Visiting Lost Maples

• Download what you need before you arrive. There’s no cell service inside the natural area.
• Check park alerts and trail conditions before you leave. Trails can close because of weather or poor conditions.
• Leave No Trace. Pack out your trash, especially at the primitive sites, and stay on the trails.

Our Take on Lost Maples

Our November camping weekend gave us fall color and hiking in one trip. The bigtooth maples were the draw, but the huge rock in the Sabinal River and the view from the overlook are what I remember most.

If fall color is your reason for making the drive, check the foliage report and reserve your entry before you go.

More Texas State Park Trips

• Caprock Canyons State Park: another distinctly Texas landscape
• Dinosaur Valley State Park: a family favorite near Glen Rose
• Big Bend National Park itinerary: for a bigger Texas hiking trip

More Fall Foliage Trips

• Cavanal Hill, Oklahoma – A scenic drive to the summit with colorful mountain views.
• Letchworth State Park, New York – Three major waterfalls, dramatic gorge views, and beautiful autumn foliage.