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RM 187: Utopia to Lost Maples, Sabinal Canyon, Texas
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0

Drives Texas Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country

RM 187: Utopia to Lost Maples

RM 187, RM 337 · Utopia → TX-39

Leisurely29 mi40 min1,700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,400 ftOne way
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The drive

RM 187 is the longest Ranch to Market road in Texas, and this drive takes its prettiest part: north from Utopia up the Sabinal River valley, through Vanderpool, past Lost Maples State Natural Area and up onto the plateau to Highway 39. The valley is narrow and green, with cypress along the river and limestone bluffs above it.

Vanderpool is a small town on the Sabinal and the southern gateway to Lost Maples. Here RM 187 and RM 337 share about a mile of road, so this drive crosses the Medina to Leakey route. A few miles north is Lost Maples itself, which protects a stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples. Their leaves turn in late October and November, and that's when most of the park's visitors come. Past the park the road climbs out of the valley and finishes just short of Highway 39.

Along the way

  1. Utopia
  2. Vanderpool
  3. Lost Maples
  4. TX-39
Elevation
1,700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,400 ft
UtopiaTX-39
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
UtopiaTX-39
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Lost Maples charges a daily entrance fee and reaches capacity every day in October and November; reserve a day pass before you go.
  • The park posts a fall foliage report from mid-October, and fall weekends are the busiest days on the road.
  • The Sabinal valley can flood; check road conditions before you go, especially after heavy rain.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Texas Parks and Wildlife: Lost Maples State Natural Area.

Questions about this drive

How long does RM 187 from Utopia to Lost Maples take?

RM 187 from Utopia past Lost Maples to Highway 39 is 29.3 miles and takes about 40 minutes without stops.

When do the leaves change at Lost Maples?

The bigtooth maples at Lost Maples, on RM 187 north of Vanderpool, usually color in late October and November; the park posts a foliage report from mid-October.

Do you need a reservation for Lost Maples?

Yes, in fall: Lost Maples State Natural Area reaches capacity daily in October and November, so reserve a day pass online or by phone before driving up RM 187.

Is RM 187 a twisty road?

RM 187 between Utopia and Highway 39 is mostly gentle curves along the Sabinal River, with a climb onto the plateau at the north end.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of RM 187: Utopia to Lost Maples, from Utopia to TX-39