Lost Maples State Natural Area - Most people associate fall foliage and leaf change with the eastern United States. However, parts of Texas actually see dramatic changes in foliage coloration as fall approaches. The Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Texas Hill Country has the most vivid fall leaf coloration in the state.
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| Lost Maples State Natural Area |
Although areas in eastern and central Texas have changeable foliage during the fall, the Lost Maples State Natural Area in Texas Hill Country has the most vivid fall leaf coloration in the state. Lost Maples Trees, which opened to the public in 1979, encompasses more than 2,000 acres on the Sabinal River and attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually. Part of the appeal of Lost Maples trees is its year-round outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, bird watching, fishing, rowing sports, and climbing. However, the biggest draw of lost maples is the change of the leaves each fall. The spectacular fall foliage of the lost maples is attributed to the high concentration of maples within the area.While maples can be found in a variety of areas in Texas, few dense concentrations exist, hence the name lost maples. Leaf change generally lasts three to four weeks. although the leaves are most often at their peak from late October to mid-November.