Lost Maples State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife

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Lost Maples State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife

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Lost Maples State Natural Area covers 2904 scenic acres in Bandera and Real Counties, north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River.
(3338)

Visitors enjoy picnicking, camping, backpacking, sightseeing, hiking, photography, birdwatching, and fishing.

10/29/2026

🍂 Fall Foliage Report, October 28-29! 🍂

We are starting to see some color changes throughout the park. Our maples are still mostly green, but some have started to show a slight color change. Some of our walnut trees are turning red, while our sycamores have turned yellow and are losing their leaves. We are still waiting on cold weather to hopefully help our maple trees turn.

Fingers crossed that we will see some changes here in the next couple of weeks! 🍁

10/24/2026

We are finally hiring for our last position. Our Maintenance Specialist II position is now open through November 3rd. This position will help our maintenance team keep the park working and beautiful! This is listed as a part time temporary position, but will be 40 hours per week through at least August 2027. Please reach out with any questions 830-966-3413, or apply at

10/22/2026

🍂 Fall Foliage Report! - October 21-22 🍂

Week 2 of our foliage report is here! Our website will be updated soon with this week's pictures.

It's still mostly green, but our sycamores have turned a nice golden yellow and are starting to lose their leaves. A small handful of the maples are starting to get a very light color change on their upper leaves, but they are still very green overall.

Don't forget to book a pass in advance if you are planning to come visit us! We are starting to get very close to reaching capacity on the weekends. Be sure to plan ahead for longer wait times and more traffic than usual.

🔗Find more information on making reservations here: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/

10/15/2026

🍁 Welcome to the 2026 Fall Foliage Report! 🍁

Every year, Lost Maples posts a weekly update about the fall colors, from October through November. Check it out on our website here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples/foliage-reports

Here's a peek at the current colors you can find at the park. The golden yellow you see is our sycamore trees starting to change. So far, our maple trees are still bright green.

We're starting to get pretty busy at the park, so make sure that you make a reservation before you arrive! Once we start to get very busy, we will run out of day passes and only have space in the park for people who have made reservations in advance. Don't get turned away!

Reserve passes here: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/

10/09/2026

Get ready for your weekend at Lost Maples!

Join us tomorrow on Saturday, 10/10, for Moth Mayhem!

We will be geared up to go mothing! What is mothing?
We will have UV lights and sheets to help us attract nighttime critters for us to see, including moths, beetles, and other cool insects. It's a great way to spend a night outside, see some neat stuff, and learn a little bit more about the animals we share the night with.

If you're camping with us this weekend, don't miss it! If you're coming for the day and don't have reservations yet, make sure to make your reservations in advance.

Learn more at the link below:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/lost-maples/october-2026/moth-mayhem-1

10/07/2026

🎃 Get ready for fall fun! 🎃

Join us all month for great programs! Our next program is Moth Mayhem this Saturday, where we will be attracting some nighttime insects and learning more about moths (and other critters!). Come see us and enjoy this nice, cool weather! Make a reservation in advance to secure your day pass in case we reach capacity.

And don't miss our campfire on Halloween evening, we will have s'mores!!! 🔥

For more information about programs and activities, please click the link below:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples/park_events

09/23/2026

🐾Ready to help?🦌

Lost Maples State Natural Area needs volunteers to help us during our busy season in October and November. There's a variety of opportunities available, from helping with programs and activities, to becoming a trail advisor who helps keep people safe by providing information about our trails. We are also looking for park hosts to live in the park and provide assistance.

This is a great opportunity to gain hands on experience with park operations, programming, and interacting with the public! Come build new skills, enjoy the outdoors, and make a difference!

If you would like to help or want more information about the available opportunities, please send an email to our volunteer coordinator at [email protected].

If you are ready to sign up to be a Trailhead Advisor or a Park Host, click the link below:
🔗https://tpwd.samaritan.com/custom/1353/organization_details/66421

09/19/2026

🍁Want to experience the fall colors and stay in a beautiful place?🍁

Lost Maples is looking for park hosts to stay with us during October and November! This is a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and spend the fall surrounded by natural beauty!

🔗Register at the link below:
https://tpwd.samaritan.com/custom/1353/opp_details/221220

Or, email our volunteer coordinator at [email protected] for more information!

Other volunteer opportunities are available as well, so if you would like to help beyond park hosting, please email our volunteer coordinator for more information on other ways to help the park!

09/18/2026

🍁Free tomorrow morning?🍁

Come try out nature journaling at the Pond! Starting at 10:30am, join a ranger to learn more about what nature journaling is, why you might want to try it, and how to get started!

Supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own journal or supplies if desired.

Find more information at the link below:
🔗https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/lost-maples/september-2026/nature-journaling🔗

09/16/2026

Our Maintenance Ranger V - UPO position closes in the next few days, be sure to apply! We should also have another position posting within a couple weeks for a Maintenance Ranger II position (no licenses required) so keep an eye out!

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=103715&PostingSeq=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawUXiEdwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR43N6cuF7PJTZLaKhWHMQXVQHkqbQwO1yzUBL7azcRMrdDQaw1MnUz7TWW34Q_aem_UU11BuDtgSyABI7a9qjlPg

Address

37221 FM 187
Vanderpool, TX
78885

Telephone

+18309663413

Website

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples

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