Buescher State Park

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Buescher State Park has some easyish riding on narrow singlegrack through the Lost Pines area in central Texas. There area is recovering from wildfires, but some of the original loblolly pine stands remain and the rest of the area is covered in new growth forest.

The trail rides fast with mostly shallow turns and a few short dips/climbs but is relatively flat otherwise. There are few rocky stretches and some rooty areas, but this is an easy intermediate ride.

There are a couple of creek crossings (depending on recent rains) as well as an impressive overlook of the farmland to the west of the park.

Entrance fee of $5/adult (2020), or bring your Texas State Parks pass

The ride starts at the day use parking area near the lake off Park Road 1E. Winding Woodland Trail starts across the street. This is probably the most challenging portion of the ride, especially the first quarter mile which has the steepest climb, including some 4 inch log stairs. Winding Woodland Trail passes through mature hardwoods (Oak and Cedar) and is the rootiest part of the ride. The first half is lined with interpretive signs showing the local floura. Winding Woodland Trail takes you almost to the overlook on Park Road 1C, which is an alternate starting point if you don't want to do the out and back portion. Before you get there, there is one creek crossing that beginners might find tricky but is otherwise doable.

Here you continue to head north on Pine Gulch Trail. Pine Gulch Trail has a smoother tread through a region of the forest that was burned in 2015. The area is beginning to repopulate with young pine trees, but in the meantime you can enjoy a wildflower display in the spring. The route continues all the way to Park Road 1C, passing small pond and with a couple smaller stream crossings (if it has rained recently). Turn around when you reach the road and head back to Roosevelt's Cutoff.

Roosevelt's Cutoff passes through a section of the loblolly pines that was not burned. The tread starts to get rockier and there are some short and sweet dips/climbs as the trail continues into the westside of the Pine Gulch Trail. This portion of the trail also features a lot more sharper turns, but nothing that can be considered a true switchback.

Pine Gulch Trail takes you back to the overlook on Park Road 1C and then Winding Woodland Trail takes you back to your car.

The pines are considered "lost" because they are geographically separated from their cousins in the Piney Woods in east Texas despite being genetically similar. Unfortunately, much of the "lost" pines were actually lost in devastating wildfires in 2011 and 2015, and only a shadow of the original forest remains. But new growth and a recovery plan by TXPWD has started to regenerate the forest.