History: Buescher State Park, a scenic area, is 1016.7 acres just north of Smithville in Bastrop County. Between the years 1933 and 1936, Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher originally deeded 318 acres of land to the state. After Emil Buescher's death, his heirs donated 318 more acres. The rest of the parkland was acquired from the city of Smithville. The original park totaled 1738 acres and opened in 1940. Approximately 700 of the acres were later 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 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). 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.

• Interpretive Guide to Bastrop & Buescher State Parks (PDF 1.4 MB)

Camping and Important information: 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. Limited Use Cabins (sleeps 4) with 2 sets of bunk-beds, a table, chairs, AC/Heat, microwave, ceiling fan, refrigerator, kitchen counter top, and curtains. Be sure to visit the Texas State Park Store.

Hours: Open 7 days a week year-round. The gate is locked at 10 p.m.; late arrivals should call the park before 5 p.m. for the combination. 

Reservations: Check Availability/Make Reservations for Buescher S.P.
You can also make e-mail reservations, fax reservations or phone reservations.

Admission Fees: do apply, see Parks website for details.