Lost Maples State Natural Area
Texas Hill Country, Texas · 1,792 ft
Typical peak
Nov 4 – Nov 12
high confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best under flat overcast
Relict bigtooth maples crowd the Sabinal River and Can Creek canyons, isolated stands left over from a cooler climate. Color peaks across the first three weeks of November, later than anywhere else in the region.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
extreme
Expect heavy peak-weekend traffic; consider a weekday or arrive before dawn.
Getting there
Enter off RM 187 five miles north of Vanderpool, park at headquarters, and walk the East Trail about a mile up Can Creek to the heaviest maple.
What turns here
- bigtooth maple
- texas red oak
- american sycamore
Color progression
Typical peak Nov 8Typical color progression for Lost Maples State Natural Area. No change from Oct 1 to Oct 18. First color from Oct 18 to Oct 27. Approaching peak from Oct 27 to Nov 4. Peak from Nov 4 to Nov 12. Past peak from Nov 12 to Nov 22. Bare from Nov 22 to Dec 6.
Lost Maples State Natural Area is typically at approaching peak on Nov 1, 2026.
This season so far
First frost
None yet
No night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
78°F / 58°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Lost Maples State Natural Area on November 8, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:32 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ESE · 109° | 6:57 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 34 min of low, warm light | 7:31 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:22 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 34 min before sunset | 5:13 PM |
| Sunset Sets WSW · 251° | 5:46 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:11 PM |
Times in America/Chicago · day length 10h 49m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.