LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA
37221 FM 187, Vanderpool
830.966.3413
Tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/lost-maples
Admission $3-$6

Photography by Richard Treece, Texas Parks and Wildlife

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but sometimes not even pictures or words do justice to a place like Lost Maples, 2,000+ acres of pure heaven if all the right conditions come together. “The first thing people want to know is, ‘What kind of color are we going to have this year?’” says Richard Treece, park police officer and interpreter, with a good-natured laugh. “I tell them I don’t know. Mother Nature didn’t send me that email.” Treece starts working on the park’s website around September to prepare for the foliage reports, and by October and November he’s updating the site weekly with on-the-spot photos.

So what makes good color for the bigtooth maple? “Cold fronts,” says Treece. “At least two good ones, in the 30s, in October. That’s the trigger that makes the trees start turning.” But even without the coveted chill, it’s not an all-or-nothing situation. “The color may be localized in one part of the canyon, then another, and another, throughout the park.” Whether the trees explode in color all at once or take their turn, nothing deters the thousands of visitors who flock to the site every year. Peak time for trees and traffic is around Veterans Day, and all the weekends, with the 30 RV hookups booked up to 11 months in advance. “Come during the week,” advises Treece, as parking is available for only 250 cars.

The fall extravaganza aside, Lost Maples is “beautiful year-round,” says Treece, with spectacular birding in the spring and guided birding tours in March and April. And fascinating species of plants like the Scarlet Clematis (clematis texensis), a springtime flower found no place but this part of Texas. “We have a very unique ecosystem.” The headwaters of the Sabinal River are here, along with limestone canyons and grasslands.

Primarily a hiking park (some trails can be rugged), opportunities abound for picnicking (tables are first-come, first-served), primitive camping, fishing, some swimming, and of course photography. No horseback riding. Bring hats, sunscreen and insect repellant, and “check for burn bans before you come,” adds Treece, for those who want to use outdoor grills. Treece says that as gorgeous as the park is, don’t miss the viewing opportunities on the drive there — particularly from Bandera on Texas 337 through Medina, following the Medina River, coming up on the park with the east facing mountain slopes ahead. The maples may be the stars, but the supporting cast is equally stellar: sycamores turn golden brown, cypresses boast golden red, lacey oaks are yellow, and the black walnuts bright yellow. In their eagerness to get to the park, says Treece, some people miss the big picture. “The drive is worth a million dollars,” says Treece, “It is Hill Country beauty at its finest.”

LOST AND FOUND

You know the saying that it’s not the destination, it’s the journey? A trip to Lost Maples is both, with intriguing stops all around. So fire up the GPS or unfold that frayed Texas road map to find some small town treasures.

THE LONE STAR MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM
36517 Hwy 187 North, Vanderpool
830.966.6103 | Lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com

At just one mile south of Lost Maples on Hwy 187, this is cool even for non-fans, with a collection of bikes from the early 20th century to modern day. The cafe offers Aussie Angus meat pies, ready-to-eat or frozen to go. Open Friday-Sunday from March through November, $6 adults; senior, military, group discount. Age 14 and under free.




THE LAUREL TREE
18956 N. FM 187, Utopia
830.966.5444 | Utopiagourmet.com

Utopia is most famous for “Seven Days in Utopia,” a 2011 film starring Robert Duvall that still draws fans to Utopia Golf in this tiny town (pop. 227) about 16 miles south of Lost Maples. Ten years ago vivacious chef/owner Laurel Waters wondered “if people were going to come out here to eat in the middle of nowhere.” They did — to savor a delectable fine dining menu that changes weekly. Fresh is key here. “If I don’t grow it on the property, I hand select everything,” says Waters, who takes pride in the herb and vegetable gardens, greenhouse, and indeed in the town itself. “We don’t have a stoplight, but we have gourmet food and a movie with Robert Duvall.” Open on Saturdays for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. Bring your own wine.

 

 

THE HUNT STORE
1634 Texas 39, Hunt
830.238.4410
Thehuntstore.com

This isn’t just a little bit country, it’s a whole lot of country. “The store,” as it’s known in these parts (about 35 miles northeast of Lost Maples), is a one-stop shop in the same spot for 67 years, with a cafe, grocery, patio, rocking chairs and nice folks. Hunt used to be the home of Stonehenge II, an impressive replica of the famous ancient monument in England. Saved from destruction, it was recently moved to the campus of the Hill Country Arts Foundation (hcaf.com) in Ingram, seven miles east of Hunt.

 


CAMP VERDE GENERAL STORE & RESTAURANT
285 Camp Verde Road East
830.634.7722

Campverdegeneralstore.com About 40 miles east of Lost Maples, it’s a scenic drive off thebeaten path but worth it. The original 1857 general store establishedfor the soldiers at Fort Verde was demolished by a floodin 1900, making way for the present two-story southern Colonialstone structure set along the Verde Creek with large patios,fireplace, waterfall, ancient shade trees and a front porch for asit-and-visit. The store has artisan jams, jellies and sauces. Therestaurant offers soups, salads, burgers, country faves and lots ofsandwiches. Open daily except major holidays from 9-5. Restaurant,lunch only, 11-3.