National park · United States
Colorado Bend State Park
Spend a day at Colorado Bend: hike Gorman Falls (2 mi, easy) before 10 am in spring, or tackle the 15 mi Cedar Creek Loop (hard) in fall; camp at the two tent sites; entry $12 USD per adult.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
9 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (9 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 9 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (9 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Colorado Bend State Park offers limestone cliffs, waterfalls and a network of trails in Texas Hill Country, with camping and river activities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
9 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (9 km²) · national park since 1987
check
Why go
- Waterfalls and limestone cliffs in Texas Hill Country.
- Extensive trail network (15.8 mi) for hiking and mountain biking.
- Birding, including bald eagles near Lake Buchanan.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low crowds.
- FebMild, occasional rain.
- MarSpring blooms, comfortable temps.
- AprWarm, dry, ideal for hikes.
- MayWarm, low flood risk.
- JunHeat rises, thunderstorms possible.
- JulHigh heat, flash‑flood risk.
- AugPeak heat, occasional storms.
- SepCooling, good hiking weather.
- OctMild, fewer bugs.
- NovCool, early freezes possible.
- DecCold but clear, low crowds.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bald eagle (nesting near Lake Buchanan)Mar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| White bass (spawning in river)Jan–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Various songbirds and raptorsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San Antonio
Drive north 2 h (≈130 km (81 mi)) on US‑281 then TX‑16 to the park entrance.Drive north 2 h (≈81 mi (130 km)) on US‑281 then TX‑16 to the park entrance.
2 h
Open the page →
From Austin
Drive north 2 h 30 min on US‑281/Tx‑16 to the park entrance.
2 h 30 min
Open the page →
From Dallas
Drive 3 h 30 min west on I‑20 then north on US‑281 to the park.
3 h 30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance/Visitor Center | Ticket booth, restrooms, map kiosk. | Open daily, 8 am–sunset. |
| Camping Areas | Two primitive tent sites with fire rings and water faucets. | Permit required; open year‑round. |
| Gorman Falls Area | Trailhead, viewing platform, guided tours on Saturdays. | Open daily; tours by reservation. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from the Texas Parks & Wildlife official site; trailhead points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per adult) | US$12 | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Prohibited throughout Texas State Parks; violation results in removal.
- Campfires
- Only in designated fire rings; no open fires.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft.
- Off‑road vehicles
- Not allowed on park trails.
- Leave No Trace
- Pack out all trash and minimize impact.
Where to stay
In the park
Tent camping areas
Primitive sites with fire rings, water faucets, and compost toilets.
Near the park
Nearby towns
Llano and San Saba offer motels and RV parks.
Safety
Flash flooding high
Heat and dehydration medium
Snakes and insects low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor center and Gorman Falls trailhead have paved paths and short walks.
- Longer trails are rugged and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Follow Leave No Trace principles.
- Use refillable water containers; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Colorado Bend State Park?
Entry is $12 USD per adult; children 12 and under are free.
What are the best hikes in Colorado Bend State Park?
Gorman Falls Trail (easy, 2 mi) and the Cedar Creek Loop (hard, 15.8 mi) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Colorado Bend State Park?
Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild temperatures and lower flood risk.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at two primitive tent sites; permits are free but limited, reserve at the office.
Are pets allowed?
Dogs are allowed on leashes no longer than 6 ft; they must be kept on trails.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Colorado Bend State Park
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