Buescher State Park

I visited Buescher State Park for the first time this past week and was very impressed! Checking in at the headquarters was very easy and the staff was friendly.
I was visiting for the day to get some hiking in and I was impressed by the trails in this park. There are 2 main trails, a loop trail and an out and back trail. Both of the trails were well maintained and well marked along the way. I saw quite a few people on the out and back trail with their kids and their pups, but I didn't see anyone else on the trail when I did the loop.
Despite it being December, there was still quite a few living trees and plants that were thriving in the sunlight. I saw a lot of caterpillars, butterflies, and dragonflies while on my hike.
The park offers different camping options from screened shelters to RV hookups and camping (with electric, water, and primitive). I did notice that those who are in the sheltered cabins and RV sites are quite a ways away from the trail heads, so if you're wanting to hike the trails, you'd have to either bike or drive up to the trailhead or you'll get quite a hike in before even starting the hike.
For those in the tent camping area, it wasn't a far distance at all. I like that there was primitive, walk-in camp sites that were more secluded than the others, but also, no more than a 3 minute walk to the car if you needed something.
There's also water rentals (kayaks and canoes I believe) and fishing options on the lake. I didn't utilize either of those, but when I checked in, I was informed the lake was open and rentals were available.
There was also a well-maintained children's playground and amphitheater that I drove by to get to the trailhead.
I'll definitely be back to this park and recommend it to anyone interested in enjoying some time outdoors.

Buescher State Park is a beautiful park that joins Bastrop State Park. The scenery overlooking the area is breathtaking as well. There is so much wildlife here also. There are many areas for RV visitors to use. I highly recommend this State Park for a visit with family or friends.

Lovely trails with great views. Friendly staff. Can't wait to explore more next time I'm in Smithville.

Best state park in Bastrop county. Better than Bastrop State Park in my opinion. This park didn't get hit by the fires like Bastrop did. So there is more forest and shade on the hiking trails. Amazing state park if you are a mountain biker too. Or if you need a place to walk your dog. Pretty quiet and empty here if that's your vibe.

We had a great weekend. We stayed in one of the cabins. The AC was on when we arrived. Cabin was clean and cozy. A nice campsite. Peaceful. We enjoyed hiking, grilling and just hanging out. Clean restrooms nearby. Friendly staff.

Beautiful hike, lots of tree coverage, great place to find fungi and other fun nature things. I went right after rain, so there were a few lower water crossings. Perfect ground for some barefoot grounding. I'm looking forward to the lake opening.

Also check out the drive from Buescher to Bastrop, beautiful 11 miles with great views.

Even if I didn't live 15 minutes away, I would make Buescher State Park a regular place to visit! Nestled in the Lost Pines of Bastrop County, this park does not disappoint. There are several camping areas, a beautiful lake, and playgrounds. The park also has screened shelters in which you can spend the night. There's a nice picnic area. The trails are outstanding, ranging from very easy to moderately difficult. The dam is being rebuilt and should be finished in 2024. A pass to this park will also get you in Bastrop State Park for the day. There is an 11 mi beautiful country road connecting the two parks.

Damn work was completed and the lake open again to boats and fishing as of 1/15/2024. Exciting times!

Stopped here on a whim and was kinda gobsmacked. Only $5 entrance fee even for night camping. We did not camp but the superb facilities did tempt us to. There is enough shade around each camping site, the restrooms and showers were super clean. From as low as $25-45, even sheltered campsites with electricity, water, fans etc. may be reserved.

We walked on one basic trail only but the park has biking/walking trails for different hardness levels.

We could not stop until sunset from 'Scenic Spot' 4-6 offer stunning view of neighboring farmlands, which must be more scenic at sunset.

There were also a handful of bluebonnets in front of the main office.

Great state park. Beautiful, great hiking/biking trail. Scenic 11 mile drive to Bastrop state park. Restaurants nearby. Vernon Richards River Park is nearby. Good area for short scenic motorcycle ride. We spent three days here. Loved it!

What a fabulous and beautiful park! With the most friendly and helpful park staff in the state, if not nationwide! We had a wonderful stay. We phoned a few days earlier, explaining we're cycling in and the very helpful staff member told us to call again around 10am on the day of our arrival, even so they were fully booked at the time, if we call the same morning, they can advise on possible sites that have gone open. And indeed, when we phoned again, a couple of tenting options were available. But she then suggested we consider one of the screened sites, just in case the weather turns rainy, and it just so happened that one was available. We were so glad for this. Barely 10 minutes after our arrival, the heavens opened and we would have been soaked and flooded if it wasn't for the shelter. The shelter itself was just perfect. Near the waters edge, properly screened in and bone dry. The Park itself is lush and green. Highly recommended!

We stayed in the screen shelters, which were a little dated, but fully functional and perfect for their intended purpose. We stayed at shelter #3 which had an awesome view of the water.

Other than the accommodations, the park offers great hiking trails and several spots to drop a line in the water for some fish.

They have bathrooms with showers and toilets, nice driving paths and trails, they have some mini cabins, drive up campsites with hook ups and water. There is also a place to dump your camper’s dirty poop water etc in the proper drain if you camper camp.

Just be careful for to watch for people who are mountain biking, or crossing the road. Very family friendly.

The lake was closed for fishing and canoeing due to construction but you can walk down and look at the Dam if you’re interested in the engineering structure and overflow mitigation. Very pretty.

Burn ban in effect due to dry conditions so don’t bother starting any real wood fires as of fall 2023. Talk to the rangers at the entrance to know what is allowable before ur trip so you don’t get in trouble.

Beautiful park! I'm a Texas Parks enthusiast and had the chance to visit this beautiful park. It is definitely one of my list of top 5 parks. It's nicely maintained and the scenery, landscaping and trails are just picturesque.

1/1/2020 update: we stay at this park over new year's eve each year. We love the laid back vibe. The park has amenities that range from solo tent camping, RV sites, family cabins and group pavilions. There are nice shaded hiking trails and scenic drives. We stayed in Oak Haven RV campground site 18 and noted the picnic table is on the "service" side of the trailer. This was not to our liking. There are other sites with unique table placement and supplemental tent camping pads.

Very calm park. Unlike Bastrop state park, most of the trails are covered.
There're not really scenic overlooks on the trails but the beginning/end of them. There are also no rest spots on the trails (at least the ones we tried, which is the second half).
The lake looked so nice and calm. People were enjoying fishing and canoeing.

it's very near by hwy 71. the lake is maintaining.
it's an amazing place to walk the trail with family and enjoy the pine gulch and smell the nature.

This is a great park. It is small but intimate and quiet. The CCC work is wonderful. Several large structures still stand and are still used. The recreational hall looks fabulous for a family reunion....large with a great patio area. The park is under some serious construction right now, but O am looking forward to what it will look like after all is buttoned up. Between Bastrop and Buescher, the biking is great!

Trails were very clean and well kept. The hike itself is a lot of fun and not too challenging. Be aware that as of May 2017, half of the pine gulch loop is still closed due to fire damage.

If you're looking to camp out by the lake, this probably isn't the best place for you. But if you're looking for a quiet place to spend a few days you're in the right place. The staff was friendly and very helpful. Check them out.