Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Gorgeous limestone ranchland in the heart of Texas' pecan country, cut through by a lazy turn in the river, is the backdrop to your trip to Colorado Bend State Park, a nearly two-hour drive northwest of Austin.
What to expect: Pack the dog, the camera, the fishing rod, the bathing suit, the trail sneakers and the kids — it's time to enjoy a waterfall adventure at one of Central Texas' prettiest state parks.
Where to stay:
Plan to book a spot at the park, where riverside campsites can be yours for $10-$35 a night, depending on whether you want to be near potable water and toilets.
- Apart from very basic cabins in Bend, just outside the state park, Lampasas is the nearest big town on the way to Austin — about a 35-minute drive from the park and a little over an hour to Austin.
- Try booking a cottage at Tyson's Corners Retreat, where you can hang out on the front porch rocking chair while watching horses from an equine therapy gambol.
- In San Saba, 20 miles northwest of the park, bed down at the Dofflemeyer Hotel, which sports six stylish rooms in a converted 1913 bank building.
What to do:
With 6 miles of Colorado River frontage, you can cast a line, dunk into the water or enjoy a slow kayak trip.
🏊🏽 Go for a dip in Spicewood Springs, a cascading series of crystal-clear swimming holes accessible by a short, flat trail — we once spotted an armadillo here!
🛶 Take a boat for a spin — the state park rents out single kayaks for $10 per hour and doubles for $15.
🌻 Snap a picture of your kid/dog amid the bluebonnets and other wild flowers.
🔦 Head underground on a rainy day — the state park has hundreds of caves, though guided tours have been temporarily suspended due to the pandemic.
What to eat:
The most common move here is to grab your camper stove and stock up with provisions in Lampasas — or fill your cooler before you leave Austin.
- Fill up with the half-pound Around the Bend Burger — served with grilled jalapeño and onions, bacon and Swiss cheese — at the Bend General Store.
- Make a morning run to San Saba, to gobble down the migas, steel-cut oats or a fresh cinnamon roll at Oliver and Co.
Reach in the cooler at the very small store at park headquarters for an ice cream bar.
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