This gallery contains images and photographs from one of my favorite Autumn locations – the Lost Maples and Garner State Park area. With the beautiful Sabinal River flowing through the Lost Maples area of the Texas Hill Country, the landscapes and fall colors here can be amazing. Actually called Lost Maples State Natural Area, this park is known for its red-toothed maples that turn vibrant orange and red each November. Lost Maples is found 71 miles west of San Antonio and 5 miles north of Vanderpool.
Just southwest of Lost Maples near Leakey, Texas, the clear emerald waters of the Frio River run through Garner State Park. Along the Frio, cypress turn red and orange each Autumn in the shadow of the locally famous Mount Baldy.
The first recorded history of Lost Maples was with the 17th Century Spanish explorations. But Indian tribes such as the Apache and Comanche once roamed this area, too. In the early 1970s, the state of Texas acquired the land that makes up this location, and the public was granted access in 1980.
Lost Maples is best known for the remnant Red Maple trees that grow on the limestone bedrock terrain, but the Red Oak trees are also prominent in the area. And in Autumn, these trees come alive with color. Crowds of photographers and tourists flock to this park each November in search of some of the best fall color Texas can offer. If you can go, the best time is mid-week because the park can fill up early in the day on weekends. The Lost Maples official website also has a weekly update of the fall colors.