Here is the thing that surprises families the first time they roll into Great Escapes Austin Oaks: some of the best kid stuff in the whole Austin area is not a long drive away. It is right outside the gate. There are life-size dinosaurs down the road and a zip line course across the highway, and that is before you even get to the river.
So if you are looking for family things to do near Bastrop, you can leave the over-scheduled itinerary at home. Here is the honest, ranked rundown, starting with what is closest to camp and working outward.
The quick answer
The best family things to do near Bastrop include The Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek, just a couple of minutes from Great Escapes Austin Oaks, zip lining and UTV tours at McKinney Roughs across Highway 71, floating the Colorado River, and exploring Bastrop State Park and historic downtown Bastrop. You can build a full, low-stress family day without ever driving far.
1. The Dinosaur Park (a couple of minutes down the road)
This one is almost unfairly convenient. The Dinosaur Park sits at 893 Union Chapel Road, the same road as the resort, so it is basically a warm-up lap from your campsite.
It is a self-guided walk along shaded, wooded trails lined with life-size dinosaur models, the kind of easy, imagination-fueled outing that little kids absolutely lose their minds over. There is a play area and a dig-style sandpit for the junior paleontologists, plus a gift shop for the inevitable "can I get the T-rex" moment on the way out. It is shady, it is walkable, and it is short enough that nobody melts down before lunch.
Best for: toddlers through grade-schoolers, and any grown-up who secretly still loves dinosaurs.
2. Zip lines and UTV tours at McKinney Roughs (across Highway 71)
When the older kids want a bigger thrill, you barely have to go anywhere. Right across Highway 71 from camp, McKinney Roughs Nature Park is home to Zip Lost Pines, which sends you soaring through the treetops on guided zip line tours, including side-by-side racing lines so the family can settle who is fastest once and for all.
Not into heights? The park also runs off-road UTV tours and has miles of hiking trails winding through several distinct Texas ecosystems, plus guided rafting down on the Colorado. It is the rare spot where the thrill-seekers and the nature-lovers in your family can both get their perfect morning.
Best for: older kids, teens, and adventurous adults. Check age and weight requirements before you go.
3. Float the Colorado River (about 15 minutes)
For a slower, splashier afternoon, head to the Colorado River. Bastrop River Company runs out of Fisherman's Park in Bastrop with a big fleet of kayaks and canoes and no experience required. Their most popular trip, the El Camino Real Paddling Trail, is calm and beginner-friendly, with spots to swim and picnic along the way, which makes it a great first paddle for kids. Bastrop is about 15 minutes from camp.
Best for: families who want an easy, cooling day on the water.
4. Explore Bastrop State Park and the Lost Pines (about 15 to 20 minutes)
Bastrop State Park is a beautiful, historic pocket of the "Lost Pines," a stand of towering loblolly pines that feels a world away from the surrounding prairie. It is a lovely spot for an easy family hike, a picnic, and watching the forest come back stronger every year. The park's classic stone cabins and structures, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, are a fun bit of history for the kids to spot.
Best for: a mellow morning of hiking and picnicking in the pines.
5. Wander historic downtown Bastrop (about 15 minutes)
Cap the day in downtown Bastrop, one of the more charming small-town main streets in Central Texas. Poke through the shops, walk the riverfront, grab ice cream, and settle in somewhere for dinner so nobody has to cook. It is the easy, everyone-is-happy way to wind down a big family day.
Best for: dinner, treats, and a relaxed stroll before heading back to camp.
Tips for a smooth family day out
A few things that keep the day fun for everyone:
- Do the close stuff first. The Dinosaur Park and McKinney Roughs are minutes away, so you can start slow and save the driving for later.
- Go in the morning. Cooler temperatures and smaller crowds make everything easier, especially in summer.
- Pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and a change of clothes if the river is on the list.
- Check hours, ages, and reservations ahead for the zip line and river trips, which can book up on weekends.
- Build in downtime. Back at camp, the pool and open space are their own kind of entertainment.
Why Austin Oaks is the perfect family basecamp
Here is what makes this spot special for families: a two-minute drive gets you dinosaurs, a five-minute drive gets you zip lines, and a short hop gets you the river, a state park, and a cute downtown. Great Escapes Austin Oaks sits right in the middle of it all on shady oak grounds in Cedar Creek, with a pool, room for the kids to run, and full-hookup sites and cabins to come home to. See the full amenities list and more nearby.
Roll in, set up camp, and let the kids pick tomorrow's adventure.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best family things to do near Bastrop? Top picks include The Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek, zip lining and UTV tours at McKinney Roughs, floating the Colorado River, hiking Bastrop State Park in the Lost Pines, and exploring historic downtown Bastrop. All are a short drive from Great Escapes Austin Oaks.
How close is The Dinosaur Park to Great Escapes Austin Oaks? Very close. The Dinosaur Park is at 893 Union Chapel Road in Cedar Creek, the same road as the resort, just a couple of minutes away.
Is there a zip line near Bastrop? Yes. Zip Lost Pines at McKinney Roughs Nature Park, directly across Highway 71 from the resort, offers guided zip line tours through the trees, along with UTV tours and hiking trails.
Is the Colorado River float good for kids? Yes. Bastrop River Company's El Camino Real Paddling Trail is calm and beginner-friendly, with spots to swim and picnic, which makes it a good first paddle for families. Check age guidance and life-jacket requirements when you book.
Is Great Escapes Austin Oaks good for families? Yes. It sits minutes from the area's top kid attractions and has a pool, shaded grounds with room to run, plus full-hookup RV sites and cabins, which makes it a comfortable family basecamp near Bastrop and Austin.
What should we do first? Start with the closest stops, The Dinosaur Park and McKinney Roughs, then work outward to the river, the state park, and downtown Bastrop as the day goes on.
Make it a family adventure
The best family trips are the ones where the fun is close and the driving is short. From Great Escapes Austin Oaks, a day full of dinosaurs, zip lines, river floats, and pine-forest trails is all within reach, then everyone comes home to the same comfortable campsite.
Plan your family stay at Great Escapes Austin Oaks in Cedar Creek, or call the park at (512) 985-5333, and set up your basecamp near Bastrop.