Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Texas Hill Country has the most vivid fall leaf coloration in the state. Lost Maples State Natural Area is a state park in the Edwards Plateau of Texas, United States. It covers 2174.2 scenic acres in Bandera and Real Counties, north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River.

This beautiful park contain several bigtooth maples and other relict species from the Ice Age that have adapted to climate change over the ages and flourish in special riparian and woodland habitats of the Texas Hill Country.

The Sabinal River which has many tributaries has engraved limestone canyons through the 2,200-acre park spanning Bandera and Real counties at the western fringes of the Edwards Plateau. The natural area of this park supports a remarkable diversity of plants and animals. The bigtooth maple tree ranks as the park’s most amazing species. In late autumn every year, the stands of old-growth maples set the canyons blazing with a demonstration of red, orange and gold foliage, drawing upwards many visitors to this mesmerizing park.

The Lost Maples Park contains Texas’s largest known species of the bigtooth which are also known as the Uvalde bigtooth maple and canyon maple. The 40-foot tall maple with a 45-foot crown spread stands at the head of the park’s most popular trail which is 8 mile Maple Trail.

This place is a must visit for all nature lovers. In the night time, it is very cold but during warm, sunny days, the waters of the Sabinal and spring-fed swimming holes prove tempting spots to take a soothing splash.  The Maple Trail provides the easiest access to the park’s natural wonders, traversing mostly flat terrain through a moist, shaded Sabinal River canyon.

Almost 11 miles of well-marked trails lead to scenic overlooks, spring-fed ponds populated by Texas’ state fish, the Guadalupe bass, prime birding habitat and 40 primitive backpack camping sites. Composting toilets near several backcountry campsites make the wilderness experience a bit more pleasant.

There are many attractions offered by this park.

• Water-and-electric campsites which also feature in-ground barbecue pits and shaded picnic tables.
• Nature photography, hiking, camping, bird watching, backpacking, fishing and swimming.
• Tour of the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum.
• Drive scenic FM 337 between Vanderpool and Medina.
• You can visit the Love Creek Cider Mill Store in Medina and eat at the Lost Maples Café in Utopia.
• Bandera County has more than 20 wildlife viewing sites along the western branch of the Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail.
• This park has a diversity of habitat that includes grasslands and scrublands; mixed evergreen and deciduous escarpment woodlands; and streamside woodlands.

So, be sure to visit this beautiful park which has breathtaking views and excellent facilities for nature lovers.

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