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Colorado Bend State Park
Colorado Bend feels like discovering a secret. The park sits at the end of a long dirt road in a remote stretch of the Colorado River valley, and it rewards the drive with Gorman Falls — a stunning 70-foot waterfall draped in emerald moss and ferns that looks like it belongs in Costa Rica, not central Texas. The camping here is more rugged than most state parks (many sites are primitive), the trails are rocky and real, and the river offers solid fishing and swimming. If you want to feel like you've actually gotten away from it all, this is your park.
43 campsitesHill Country2 hr from Austin$5/person entrance feeFull Colorado Bend State Park camping guide →
Short answer
Colorado Bend State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Bend are bookable today.
Getting a site at Colorado Bend State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Colorado Bend State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Colorado Bend State Park
Moss-covered falls, river fishing, and secluded cabins await deep in the rugged Colorado Valley.
See cabins & rentals near Bend →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Primitive Hike-in
$15/night*15 sites
No hookups - drive-up primitive; water nearby, picnic table, fire ring; self-contained RVs up to 20 feetRV OKTent OK
Walk-in Tent
$13/night*28 sites
No hookups - carry gear ~50 yards; water and restrooms nearby, picnic table, fire ringTent OK
Primitive Hike-in
$10/night*8 sites
No water or toilets - pack everything in; backcountry, max 4 people per siteTent OK
Colorado Bend State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Moss-covered falls, river fishing, and secluded cabins await deep in the rugged Colorado Valley.
See cabins & rentals near Colorado Bend State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Colorado Bend State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:The drive-up primitive sites are the easiest with kids — you can park near your site and there's water nearby, though you'll still pack in to a tent pad
For Privacy:The backcountry hike-in sites offer true solitude — pack in everything, including water, for the most remote experience
For RVs:Only the drive-up primitive sites take RVs, and only self-contained rigs up to 20 feet — there are no hookups anywhere in the park
For Couples:The walk-in tent sites along the riverbank are quiet and scenic — carry your gear about 50 yards from the parking area
When to Go
March through May and September through November. Summers are brutally hot and the river can run low. Spring is the best time for Gorman Falls when the flow is strongest.
Tips
- →The last several miles to the park are unpaved — it's doable in a car but slow going after rain
- →Gorman Falls trail is 1.5 miles one way — moderate difficulty with some scrambling near the falls
- →Do NOT touch the falls or walk on the travertine formations — they're incredibly fragile and still growing
- →Wild cave tours fill up fast — book them when you book your campsite
- →Cell service is nonexistent at the park — download maps and info before you leave pavement
- →Bring all supplies — the nearest town with a real grocery store is about 45 minutes away
Highlights
Gorman Falls — a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall covered in moss and maidenhair fernsWild cave tours led by park staff (reservation required)Colorado River fishing and swimmingRugged, uncrowded trails through Hill Country terrainDark skies — excellent stargazing away from city lightsOne of the more remote and wild-feeling parks in the system
Colorado Bend State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Colorado Bend State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Colorado Bend State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through May and September through November. Summers are brutally hot and the river can run low. Spring is the best time for Gorman Falls when the flow is strongest. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Colorado Bend State Park have?+
Colorado Bend State Park has 43 campsites, including Primitive Hike-in, Walk-in Tent. Sites start at $10/night plus a $5/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Colorado Bend State Park?+
The entrance fee at Colorado Bend State Park is $5 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Colorado Bend State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Colorado Bend State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Bend is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Colorado Bend State Park?+
Cancellations at Colorado Bend State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Bend are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Colorado Bend State Park
Planning Colorado Bend State Park by month
What each month is like, when reservations open, and how hard it is to book.
Cabins & vacation rentals near Colorado Bend State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Bend are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Bend →