Lake Bastrop, Texas

Lake Bastrop is a small lake, formed to provide cooling water for the power plant. The LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) manages the lake and during drought pumps water from the Colorado River to maintain a water level sufficient to cool the power plant. There was a problem with aquatic vegetation back in 2004, but they seem to have that under control now. We saw little excess vegetation in the water. Motorboats are allowed, but sailboats with a mast height of 20' or more are prohibited because of the powerlines that cross the lake. Lake Bastrop is fairly small, about 900 acres, and provides good fishing. Looks like a nice place to sail, if your mast is under 20 feet, with many coves. I sure wanted to give it a try, but my mast is too tall. The North Shore Park has a good boat ramp, docks, fishing pier, swimming area, campground and a few cabins. The South Shore Park has 38 camping sites with water and electric and many cabins. Most of the cabins are on the point across the cove from the boat ramp and day use area. We spent the night in the South Shore campground and the facilities were top notch, with water and electric. The campground has streetlights, so pick a campground with or without as suits you. Showers were acceptable, with hot water! An excellent place to stop, just far enough off Hwy 71 to be nice and quiet. To get to South Shore Park, take 21 east from Bastrop and turn left on South Shore Rd. To get to North Shore Park, take 95 north from Bastrop and turn right on 1441. For campground or cabin reservations call Texas Parks and Wildlife Reservation Center at (512) 389-8900 more than 48 hours in advance. There is a $5 service charge for LCRA reservations made through TPW. To check availability less than 48 hours in advance, call the park at (800) 776-5272 ext. 1922. Fees in 2007 were $3/person admittance and $18/night camping, more for cabins. The video shows you a bit of the lake and a quick driveby of the camping, boat ramps, a walking view of the cabin sites and other facilities. This video was taken with the Panasonic PV-GS35 Sailing Video Index

Lake Bastrop Map Lake Bastrop Satellite Image Dialup video, 13 MB Broadband video, 73 MB