Lost Maples State Natural Area

4.63

8 reviews

37221 FM 187, VANDERPOOL, Texas, 78885, United States

Scenic Views

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Texas

Quick Facts

1,804 ft

Price

$6/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,804 ft

Price

$6/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Lost Maples State Natural Area

$6.00 - $6.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Day Use Fee is $6 per day, per person aged 13 and older. This applies to entry to the park.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.63

Top-Rated

Based on 8 reviews

8 Google reviews

Most mentioned

hiking

"User reviews for Lost Maples State Natural Area highlight its natural beauty, extensive hiking opportunities, and some maintenance issues with facilities like showers and RV sites."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

37221 FM 187, VANDERPOOL, Texas, 78885, United States

Lost Maples State Natural Area

37221 FM 187, VANDERPOOL, Texas, 78885, United States

Nearby supplies

Park Store within the park offers some essential items. Additional supplies may require travel to nearby towns.

Driving directionsFrom San Antonio: Take Hwy 16 North to Medina. Take a left on FM 337 to Vanderpool. Take a right on HWY 187. Continue 5 miles to the Natural Area entrance. OR Take HWY 90 West to Sabinal. Take a right on HWY 187 and travel through Utopia to Vanderpool. Continue 5 miles to the Natural Area entrance. From Austin: Take I-35 South to New Braunfels. Take a right on HWY 46. Take a right on HWY 16. Travel through Bandera to Medina. Take a left on FM 337. Take a right on FM 187. Continue 5 miles to the Natural Area entrance. OR Take Hwy 290 West to US 281 North. Turn right and continue to follow US 281 North/Hwy 290 West to Johnson City. Take a left and continue on HWY290 West. Take a left at Friendship Lane in Fredericksburg. Take a left onto US-87 South. Take a right on Ranch to Market 473 in Comfort. Take a right onto TX-27 West. Take a left at FM 480 North in Centerpoint. Take a right onto TX 173 South. Take a right onto FM 2828. Take a right onto TX-16 North. Take a left onto FM 337 in Medina. Take a right onto FM 187. Continue 5 miles to the Natural Area's entrance.

Key routes to the park include FM 337 and HWY 187, which are paved and accessible year-round. A temporary closure of Hwy 337 was noted for bridge replacement from November 9, 2020, to April 2021, requiring detours to CR470 and alternate roads.

Best Time to Camp at Lost Maples State Natural Area

Lost Maples offers its most enchanting camping experiences under crystal-clear autumn skies, when moderate temperatures create perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. While the famous fall foliage season draws the largest crowds in October and November, savvy campers discover that the park's beauty extends throughout the year, with wildflower blooms in spring and peaceful summer mornings along the river. The area typically enjoys minimal rainfall during peak camping weeks, ensuring your outdoor plans stay on track.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 1% in TX

Park 'transforms into a breathtaking tapestry' in autumn; peak season with famous foliage.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: October and November are noted as peak seasons when the park is crowded, especially on weekends.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.
Current Alerts: Previous alerts included closures of Hwy 337 due to bridge replacement.

About Lost Maples State Natural Area

Nestled in the rugged limestone canyons of the Texas Hill Country, Lost Maples State Natural Area transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of crimson, gold, and amber each autumn. While the Sabinal River meanders gently through the park as a serene backdrop for hikers and nature lovers, the true magic unfolds along the scenic trails that wind through stands of rare Uvalde bigtooth maples. October and November bring waves of leaf-peepers eager to witness one of Texas's most spectacular fall displays, making early reservations essential for those seeking to experience this natural phenomenon.

The campground appears to support multiple camping styles, including RV and tent camping, but lacks specific details about primitive, group, or cabin accommodations.

Weather and SeasonsLost Maples offers its most enchanting camping experiences under crystal-clear autumn skies, when moderate temperatures create perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. While the famous fall foliage season draws the largest crowds in October and November, savvy campers discover that the park's beauty extends throughout the year, with wildflower blooms in spring and peaceful summer mornings along the river. The area typically enjoys minimal rainfall during peak camping weeks, ensuring your outdoor plans stay on track.

Natural Features and SceneryThe park's crown jewels are its winding trails that lead adventurers through dramatic limestone canyons to panoramic overlooks, where the full majesty of the Texas Hill Country unfolds before your eyes. The shallow, spring-fed Sabinal River creates tranquil pools perfect for cooling off after a hike, while towering cypress trees provide shaded respites along its banks. Every turn of the trail reveals new vistas, from hidden groves of ancient maples to sun-drenched meadows where deer graze in the golden hour light.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

No information about group sites is available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Cancellation PolicyIf plans change, visitors are encouraged to modify or cancel reservations as soon as possible to allow others to enjoy the park.

AccessibilityNo specific information about accessibility features is available.

Site SizeNo details about campsite sizes are provided.

PrivacyNo information about campsite privacy is mentioned.

Amenities available

Showers

Dump station

Camp Store

Activities you can enjoy

Lost Maples State Natural Area offers a range of recreational activities, with a strong emphasis on hiking. Scenic overlooks and fishing opportunities are also highlighted. Some reviewers have praised specific trails, such as the 'stairway to heaven.'

Hiking

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUser reviews mention the need for maintenance, including leveling and paving RV sites and cleaning restroom facilities. No explicit natural hazards like wildlife are noted.

Active AlertsPrevious alerts included closures of Hwy 337 due to bridge replacement.

Weather at Lost Maples State Natural Area

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.6

8 reviews

Top-Rated

Lost Maples State Natural Area is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Lost Maples State Natural Area highlight its natural beauty, extensive hiking opportunities, and some maintenance issues with facilities like showers and RV sites.

Review Summaries

Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the natural beauty of the park, the extensive hiking trails, and specific landmarks like the 'stairway to heaven.' One reviewer mentioned it was a 'beautiful place to go camping.'

Based on 8 reviews

Common Concerns

Some reviews pointed out maintenance issues, including "power steam cleaning bathrooms, toilets, and showers" and the need for leveling and paving RV sites.

Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No specific tips or recommendations were provided in the user reviews.

Based on 8 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The park is noted to be very crowded during October and November weekends. Visitors are encouraged to come on weekdays to avoid congestion.

Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful place to go camping also love the stairway to heaven.' 2. 'In need of maintenance....power steam cleaning bathrooms Toilets and showers.' 3. 'Beautiful park, just arrived, camping...

Based on 8 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific site numbers or detailed descriptions of individual sites were mentioned in user reviews.

Based on 8 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews explicitly addressing accessibility features were found.

Based on 8 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews explicitly addressing pet policies or experiences were provided.

Based on 8 reviews

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Last updated March 8, 2026

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