Colorado Bend State Park

Waterfall stuff! Spring stuff! River stuff! Hiking stuff! Biking stuff! CAVE STUFF! There is sooooo much going on at Colorado Bend State Park, it’s hard to decide what to start with. So, we’ll start at the beginning…


The Llano Uplift continues to be the main story in this part of the Hill Country. This very, very old geologic dome is around (we think) 90 miles in diameter, includes more than 5 Texas counties, and the Texas Department of Health identified it as one of four Texas regions that might could have hazardous levels of radon gas and that’s real weird and real neat. Yeehaw! 


If you like Precambrian rock, you’ve not really come to the right place. You can find a ton of Precambrian igneous rock at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, and Precambrian metamorphic rock at Inks Lake State Park. Colorado Bend State Park gets it’s attitude from the Llano Uplift, its flare, but most of the visible rock in the park is good ole’ fashioned  Texas limestone and living travertine at the springs. But we all know what’s in the basement.

This park boasts over 5,300 acres, more than 35 miles of hike and bike trails. The camping is positively lovely. You can pitch your tent right on the banks of the Colorado River and listen to her run all night long. Be especially wary of the weather in this park. She might move slow the majority of the time, but that flash flooding is FIERCE, and there’s often campers trapped in the park during weather events due to a low water crossing up top. Do not disregard warnings from park staff. 

Waterfall Stuff

Standing at the base of Gorman Falls makes you feel like you can’t possibly be in Texas anymore. The lack of forest fairies or hobbit is insulting. The air *sparkles* with little happy droplets of earth chilled water. The waterfall is around 70 feet tall, so that water travels quite a way as it falls. The spring that feeds the falls also deposits layers of calcite, slowly creating travertine formations in the falls. Old growth fern and moss cover the falls, lush and thriving. Well, most of the time anyway. 

Unfortunately, our drought seasons have become more severe and our karst aquifer systems are impacted when there’s nothing recharging them, so check with the park to see what the state of Gorman Falls is before you make the hike. 

Although it’s only a mile and a half (one way), it can be a doozy, especially on a hot day. Make sure you bring appropriate foot wear and plenty of water. 


Gorman Falls is the most famous waterfall on the property, but it isn’t the only one. Once you reach the spring fed waterway on the Spicewood Springs Trail, you will find a series of small waterfalls filling pristine limestone pools, falling down the hillside. It is spectacularly beautiful and serene. I had the opportunity of running into migrating monarchs hugging the trees a few years ago- even the butterflies know how special this place is. 


There is another waterfall accessible from the park, but a boat is required- info on Post Oak Falls can be found under River Stuff below. 

Trail (Hiking & Biking) Stuff

As previously mentioned- there are over 35 miles of hike and bike trails on this property. Most trails are bike friendly- there will be signage when bikes are not allowed. I have not found a hike I didn’t love here. Normally I would recommend a few choice trails, but with the scale and topography, I think it’s better to just get a trail map from the park rangers and explore according to your ability. Bring twice as much water with you as you think you’ll need. 

Cave Stuff

The park boasts over 400 caves, alas, there are only a couple that us plebs can check out. Cave tours are available for purchase through their vendor Wild Cave Tours. They have beginner and intermediate tours, so choose the right experience based on your skills and comfortability. The “beginner” tour (ages 4+) takes you on a 45 minute excursion in Dynamite Cave (bring your own flashlight!), helmet provided. Plan to get dirty on the “intermediate” (ages 8+) 90 minute tour. Bring your own headlamp and long pants (both required!), and gloves (highly recommended!). Knee pads and helmet provided. Closed toed shoes are required for all tours (but also, you knew that, because you are a Rockstar Hiker). Backpacks are not allowed. Read the FAQ page and tour descriptions before you proceed- the only way to play in the caves is to go with a guide. 

River Stuff 

The fishing is great and you do not need a license to fish at the park. There is a fish cleaning station by the campsites. You can rent kayaks at the park (singles or doubles). Rentals must return before 4pm, no new rentals are processed after 3pm. By water, you can get to another waterfall in the park, Post Oak Falls, that is not accessible on land, as it sits on neighboring private property. 


If you aren’t quite sure what you want to see or want to do, or would like someone to take you to Post Oak Falls, the vendor that offers cave tours has expanded their services to include kayak tours, when there’s enough water. Kayak, paddle, and life vest provided. As of the time of this writing, there are no tours due to drought. 

The star gazing is pretty wonderful here. I have had absurdly good luck with viewing meteor showers from a comfy spot down by the river. Bring a blanket or good chair, sit back, and soak in the sky. Colorado Bend State Park is a 3 on the Bortle Scale. 


I couldn’t find any information online about accessibility at this time. The main TPWD website suggested contacting the park directly for the most updated information (325) 628-3240 and I’m sure that changes. Please speak with the park rangers directly.


** At the time of this writing (Sept. 2023), the park headquarters remain closed. Apparently in June the building got into a fist fight with a large tree and they both lost. Up the hill, closer to the entrance gate, you will find a check in booth (in full sun- be nice to those park rangers) and an info stand. There is no ice, food, water or concession for sale in the park. For last minute supplies, you can stop at the venue in Bend. Beware the parking lot rooster. You have been warned. 

Links For More Information

Colorado Bend State Park Website https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/colorado-bend 

Park Info:

2236 Park Hill Dr.

Bend, TX 76824

telephone (325) 628-3240

Entrance Fees


First Published 2023