Things to Do in Bastrop County, Texas

If you are looking for things to do in Bastrop County, Texas, you have picked a good corner of the world. We live here, and we are still finding new favorites, a quiet fishing spot on Lake Bastrop, a trail through the Lost Pines we had somehow never walked, a little gallery downtown that turned into a whole afternoon. Bastrop County sits just east of Austin, but it moves at its own pace, and that is the best part.

Whether you have a free Saturday, a carful of restless kids, or out-of-town family to entertain, there is more here than a single day trip can hold. Below is our honest local guide to getting outside, getting on the water, and finding the history and art tucked into our small towns. Use the buttons to jump straight to listings, or read on for the places we send our own friends.

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Get out on the water: the Colorado River and Lake Bastrop

The Colorado River is the heart of Bastrop, and Fisherman’s Park in town is the easiest place to put in. Families float and fish here all summer, and paddlers use it as the launch for a slow, shady drift downriver. If you would rather someone else handle the gear, local outfitters rent kayaks, canoes, and tubes by the hour, so you can just show up and go. Browse our Rentals listings to find one.

A few minutes north, Lake Bastrop covers about 900 acres and has two LCRA parks, North Shore and South Shore. It is one of the best spots near Austin for bass fishing, and you can also swim, sail, paddle, or rent a lakeside cabin and stay the night. See more under Lakes & Rivers.

Hike the Lost Pines and the state parks

Bastrop is famous for the Lost Pines, an island of loblolly pine forest that grows nowhere else this far west in Texas. Bastrop State Park is the best-known way in, with shady hiking trails, historic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and a swimming pool that is a lifesaver in July. The scenic Park Road 1C winds from there over to quieter Buescher State Park, where the fishing lake and low-traffic trails are perfect when you want a little more solitude.

For a bigger workout, McKinney Roughs Nature Park spreads over 1,000 acres along the river with roughly 18 miles of trails through pines, prairie, and canyon. It is a go-to for a long morning hike or a mountain-bike ride. More green space and trails are listed under Parks & Trails.

Zip lines, dinosaurs, and a little adrenaline

Right inside McKinney Roughs, Zip Lost Pines runs six dual zip lines strung with suspension bridges high over the Colorado River canyon. The sunset and night tours make for a genuinely memorable date night or family adventure. Closer to Cedar Creek, The Dinosaur Park lets kids wander a shaded trail past more than 30 life-size dinosaurs, and the nearby Capital of Texas Zoo is a small, friendly stop that little ones love. Find these and more under Outdoor Recreation.

Historic downtowns, art, and small-town charm

Some of our favorite afternoons never leave Main Street. Downtown Bastrop is one of the oldest towns in Texas, full of brick storefronts, antique shops, riverfront restaurants, and the historic Bastrop Opera House, which still hosts live theater. A block off Main, the Lost Pines Art Center shows local work and runs hands-on classes.

Fifteen minutes south, Smithville is the kind of walkable downtown that movie crews love. The film Hope Floats was shot here, and folks still stop by to see the house. Poke through the shops and the railroad park and you will understand why. Browse galleries, theaters, and history under Arts & Culture.

Explore by town

Every town in Bastrop County, Texas has its own flavor. Pick one and we will show you where to eat, shop, and spend the day:

Planning around a festival or a weekend out? Our Bastrop County events guide keeps a running list of what is coming up.

Things to Do in Bastrop County FAQs

What are the best things to do in Bastrop County, Texas?

Top picks include Bastrop State Park and the Lost Pines, paddling the Colorado River from Fisherman’s Park, fishing and swimming at Lake Bastrop, zip-lining at Zip Lost Pines in McKinney Roughs, and strolling the historic downtowns of Bastrop and Smithville.

What can families do with kids in Bastrop County?

Kids love The Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek, the Capital of Texas Zoo, the pool and easy trails at Bastrop State Park, and tubing on the Colorado River in summer. Zip Lost Pines is a hit with older kids and teens.

Are there free things to do in Bastrop County?

Plenty. Walking historic downtown Bastrop and Smithville is free, as is fishing from the bank at Fisherman’s Park, browsing the Lost Pines Art Center galleries, and hiking many of the county trails. State parks charge a small day-use fee.

What is there to do outdoors in Bastrop County?

Hiking, paddling, fishing, mountain biking, and zip-lining across the state parks, Lake Bastrop, McKinney Roughs, and the Lost Pines forest. Browse the categories above to find each one.

How far is Bastrop from Austin?

Bastrop sits about 30 miles southeast of Austin, roughly a 35 to 40 minute drive, which makes Bastrop County an easy day trip or weekend escape from the city.