Colorado Bend State Park: Hiking to Gorman Falls, One of Texas’ Most Beautiful Waterfalls

Waterfalls are not the first thing most folks picture when they think of Central Texas. Then they hike down to Gorman Falls, where a spring-fed creek spills about 70 feet over a wall of moss and fern-covered stone on its way to the Colorado River, and the whole idea of Texas scenery shifts a little.

Gorman Falls is the crown jewel of Colorado Bend State Park, a rugged, remote park in San Saba County. Here is how to plan the hike and make a full day of it.

What makes Gorman Falls so special

The falls are not just water over rock. The cliff face is travertine, a stone built up over thousands of years as mineral-rich spring water deposits calcite. That slow process creates the shelves, little caves and shimmering green curtains of moss you see around the falls, and it is why the formation looks almost alive.

It is also why the park asks visitors to enjoy the falls from the designated viewing area and stay off the rocks. The formations and moss are fragile, and even careful feet can damage what took centuries to build. Texas Highways has noted that recent drought and low aquifer levels have weakened the flow, so how full the falls look can vary from one visit to the next.

The hike to the falls

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s trail guide, the Gorman Falls Trail is about 1.5 miles each way, or roughly 3 miles round trip, and the park rates it difficult. Plan on about an hour and a half each direction if you are taking your time.

Difficult here does not mean long. It means rough. The trail is very rocky, has little shade, and ends with a steep, slippery descent near the falls. A few practical tips:

• Wear real shoes. Closed-toe hiking shoes or boots with good grip beat sandals every time on this trail.
• Bring more water than you think. TPWD recommends about a quart (32 ounces) per hour of activity, plus salty snacks.
• Go early. With so little shade, the walk back out is far more pleasant before the afternoon heat.
• Know your limits. The final descent is where people slip. Take it slow and use your hands if you need to.

The park also offers ranger-led Gorman Falls hikes on select dates, free with park admission. Check the park’s events calendar if you would like a guide.

More to explore at Colorado Bend

Gorman Falls gets the headlines, but Colorado Bend has more than 35 miles of hike and bike trails across roughly 5,300 acres. A few favorites from the park’s trail list:

• Spicewood Springs Trail (about 1.3 miles, moderate to difficult): Crisscrosses a spring-fed creek with pools that the park describes as a cool place to dip your toes.
• Tie Slide Trail (about 2.3 miles, moderate): Unusual rock features and the Tie Slide Overlook.
• River Trail (about 3.4 miles, easy): A gentler walk along the Colorado River.

You can also fish or paddle the Colorado River. The park’s caves are closed to the public except by guided tour or special permit, and wild cave tours are booked through the park’s cave tour partner.

Getting there and getting in

Colorado Bend is about two hours northwest of Austin, and the last stretch feels properly remote. The park’s mailing address is in the tiny community of Bend. Fill your gas tank and pick up snacks before you leave the bigger towns, and expect patchy cell service once you are in the river valley. Lampasas and San Saba are the nearest towns with more services. If you want to turn the trip into a weekend, our guides to San Saba and Lampasas cover where to eat and wander.

The park says it often reaches capacity and recommends reserving day passes as well as campsites. The entrance road can also flood during heavy rain, so check the weather and the park’s alerts before you go. Cooler months are a fine time to hike here, since the busy season runs through spring and summer and the rocky trail is easier without the summer sun.

Hours, dates and prices can change. Check the Colorado Bend State Park page before you head out.

Gorman Falls asks a little effort of you, and it pays you back many times over. Pack the water, lace up the good boots, and give yourself the whole day. This corner of the Hill Country is worth lingering in.

Featured photo: Larry D. Moore via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.