Colorado Bend State Park

Things to Do

The park currently provides the outdoor enthusiast with opportunities for primitive camping, hiking, mountain biking, caving, fishing, swimming, paddling, birding and wildlife viewing, as well as guided tours. The trail system offers 32 miles of multi-use routes with something for explorers of every skill level, no equestrian access. This area of the river is characterized by slow moving water through the beautiful canyon lands of the Colorado River. Paddlers can travel upstream as well as down to explore or access the park by river, call for current conditions. When Lake Buchanan is near normal levels, the river is navigable for larger watercraft from the park's boat ramp downstream to the lake, approximately 10 miles. Hazards include frequent low water levels and seasonal flood debris.

Equipment Rentals

The park rents single and double sit-on-top kayaks and offers a 10 percent discount to Texas State Park Pass holders.

Ranger Programs

Gorman Falls Tours: experience the unique beauty of this jewel of the hill country on a guided tour. The tour lasts about two hours and includes a 1.5 mile round trip hike. Gorman Falls is also accessible without a guide along the Gorman Falls Trail, a 3 mile round trip hike over rugged terrain.

Wild Cave Tours: Explore what lies beneath the canyon lands of Colorado Bend. An experienced guide will lead you on a speleo-adventure through caves where you crawl, slide, and climb through small spaces and into large chambers. Be prepared to get dirty and maybe even soaked.

Caves and cave formations are non-renewable natural resources that house sensitive communities of organisms. Cave systems play a vital role in the complex processes that affect the health of the surrounding environment. Various hazards may exist in the caves such as low oxygen levels and poisonous gases, wildlife, and getting lost. For all of these reasons, at this time all caves in the park are closed except by guided tour or special permit. Caves toured may vary, and some may be closed, to reduce impact and protect resources. Reservations are required for the cave tours due to the limited number of people which can be taken on any given tour. Contact the park to make reservations, inquire about alternate tour times, and check questionable weather conditions. Substantial footwear is recommended for all tours.

Other Programs: Colorado Bend State Park offers a range of exciting programs both above and below the surface.

Check the Calendar of Events for current tour offerings and fees.

Volunteer Opportunities

For information on volunteer opportunities at Colorado Bend State Park, contact the park or go to the Friends of Colorado Bend website.

Area Attractions

Nearby attractions include Inks Lake State Park, Longhorn Cavern State Park, and Fort Hood. You may also want to refer to nearby Lower Colorado River Authority parks.