Explore the trail and waterways at Colorado Bend State Park
Gorman falls at Colorado Bend State Park. PHOTO: © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
With, 5,300 acres of trails, campgrounds, water and wildlife, Colorado Bend State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for any age and ability.
Located near Bend, the park features 15.8 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of mountain-biking trails. Backpackers can make a night of it at one of the two primitive backpacking areas — the River Back Pack Area and the Windmill Back Pack Area. Guided tours of 60-foot Gorman Falls are available (weather permitting), but you can also make the 3-mile trek on your own.
More than 155 species of birds frequent the park, including the golden-cheeked warbler, the black-capped vireo and the bald eagle.
Slow moving waters in the Colorado River allow canoes and kayak to paddle both up and down stream. If you don’t have your own watercraft, you can rent single and double sit-on-top kayaks at the park.
Spelunkers can go down under the Hill Country by taking a guided wild cave tour. If you’re afraid of tight spaces — or getting dirty — this is not the adventure for you! Reservations are required for cave tours.
To find the park, go north on U.S. 281 to Lampasas, and from the 281 and U.S. 183 intersection take FM 580 west 24 miles to Bend. Then follow the signs to the park entrance.
For more, call (325) 628-3240 or visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.
