Copyright: Texas State Parks & Historical Sites
Buescher State Park - lake
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Description - Buescher State Park, a scenic area, is 1016.7 acres just north of Smithville in Bastrop County. Between the years 1933 and 1936, Mr. Emile Buescher originally deeded 318 acres of land to the state. After his death, his heirs donated 318 more acres, and the rest of the park land was acquired from the city of Smithville. The opening in 1940 of the original park totaled 1738 acres, but approximately 700 were deeded to MD Anderson and UT Cancer Center.El Camino Real (King's/Royal Highway) once ran near the park, connecting San Antonio de Bexar with Spanish missions in East Texas and generally followed present-day Texas State Highway 21 and Old San Antonio Road. This park land was part of Austin's colonial grant, and the original park improvements were made by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). A scenic park road connects Buescher State Park with Bastrop State Park and travels through a part of the lovely lost pines, a remnant of what is thought to have once been an extensive pine-oak forest covering much of Central Texas, during the time Ice Age glaciers reigned to the north. The park is open 7 days a week year round with the gate being locked at 10 p.m. Late arrivals should call the park for the combination.
Attractions
- The park is located within a beautiful wooded setting, that includes a tranquil lake, makes an excellent area from which to observe the seasonal distribution of some 250 species of birds. Mammals include white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, bobcats and armadillos along with rabbits, squirrels and small rodents. Enjoy fishing for catfish, bass, crappie, perch and also rainbow trout in the winter. Facilities include restrooms with and without showers; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; screened shelters; picnic sites; 7.5 miles of hiking trails; a dump station; a playground and group picnic pavilion (for day use only, capacity 75) with a fireplace, picnic tables, and a restroom with showers in the area. A recreational hall (for day and night use - capacity 100) with a full kitchen, heat, air-conditioning, fans, a patio, a fireplace, and a restroom. Nearby attractions include Monument Hill/Kreische Brewery State Historical Parks, Bastrop, Lockhart, Lake Somerville, and McKinney Falls State Parks. Lake Bastrop, and the cities of Bastrop, Smithville and Austin. Camping and entrance fees vary. For reservations call 512/389-8900. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112. Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations call 512/389-8900. Current conditions including fire bans and water levels can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
Recreation - Activities are nonmotorized boating permitted (no ramp/small lake); fishing in a stocked lake; nature study; hiking; and biking (The scenic, 12-mile-long, winding, and hilly, paved road between Buescher and Bastrop State Parks is ideal for biking, but should be used only by experienced cyclists.) Approximately 6 miles between the parks is private land; no camping between parks or trespassing on private land. Climate - Buescher State Park is located at an elevation of 324 feet. Temperatures within the park range from an average January minimum of 38 degrees and a July maximum of 96 degrees. There is an average rainfall of 36.5 inches. Current weather conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112. Location -
Buescher State Park is situated within the Gulf Coast region of Texas. The park is located 2 miles northwest of Smithville on State Highway 71 to FM 153, then north on 153 for .5 mile to enter Park Road 1.
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Buescher State Park
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