Lake Bastrop, South Shore Park

Lake Bastrop South Shore Park is a hidden treasure just about 45 minutes southeast of Austin. It should not be confused with Bastrop State Park, which is just a few minutes from it. This is an LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) park with a 900-acre lake that is enjoyed by swimmers, boaters, kayakers and fishers. The lake water is used to cool a power plant nearby, but the public facilities are such that one does not get bothered by the power plant sound. The park offers camping facilities and mini-cabins. I’ve stayed there countless times through the years. The photo above is the view from mini-cabin number 56, the last one on the water-front section of the min-cabins. The park has a 5-mile trail that connects to its north shore section. The trails is great for biking and hiking, and seldom have I seen many people on the trail. The park also has a good number of loblolly pine trees.