Colorado Bend State Park Campground

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Colorado Bend State Park though we would suggest cooler times of the year to better enjoy the many trails and other features. The staff was very pleasant and helpful. The bathrooms are very clean and in general, the park is a gem. We plan to return with the return of cooler weather. Sites 41 and 46 (tent or RV) afford really good shade in the afternoon from large trees beside each site. Sites 35-39 (tents only) nestle up against the bluff and are also well-shaded in the afternoon.

It's a pretty place, but the cell service was terrible. I work remote and need a decent signal throughout the day. There is one place they dubbed "cellphone hill" about a mile from the camp spots that worked great for coverage though. Other than the "no service," I like the area. It's what I figured for a state park. OH!! and it is primitive camping only!

Park is pretty remote but the staff is very friendly. For how big the park is I was very disappointed in how they pack in the RVs right next to each other. If you are tent camping you can get some better more private spots close to the river, when it has water.There is some good hiking but make sure you take your maps and water because the trails do not lead necessarily back to the campsites. If I were ever to go back, it would be After some good rain falls and I would pick the campsites that are furthest from the water as those are a little more private.

Boondocking in April in Texas should be OK, but we hit a day in the upper 80s and the camper didn’t cool off enough at night for my liking. The road to the park should be traveled at no more than 20 mph to avoid disaster inside. However, a hike to the Gorman Falls, though treacherous the last 200 yards is rewarded with a closeup view of a unique geological formation. We got what we came for, but left after one night. Checked off our list. Many nicer State Parks in Texas.

Because, besides being rather remote, there is too much to do and see during a short stay. Don’t cheat yourself - leave enough time to explore! This is a no-frills park and is nicely suited for tent campers. It is well worn, like your favorite pair of shoes. Colorado Bend may not be shiny and new but it is very enjoyable and makes you feel good. Some aspects of this park could use some TLC but overall, it’s there for the great natural setting. which should be savored.

The first thing is getting here – from Bend, it is another 10 miles on a winding, narrow road that crosses several low water crossings (the first is 0.5 miles after Bend - a single lane "bridge" and crumbling), with the last ½ mile of the road dropping into the campground at a steep angle. The road within the park itself is fine.

This is not a big rig friendly park though my neighbors managed to wrangle their vintage 32’ super C and trailer in. RVs must TURN LEFT upon arriving!!! There is no sign saying this, I found out the hard way. Only tent camping (sites 1-16) is to the right (plus the boat launch) and turning around is not easy. 30' is the official size limit - I did fine in my 25' class C with a tow.

In the north camping area, sites 17 – 29 are walk-in tent campsites. Sites 35 – 47 are great for RVs. Only smaller (Class C/smaller trailers) will comfortably fit in sites 35-39. These sites have the benefit of some shade from the late afternoon sun. Sites 40 – 47 work for larger motorhomes & trailers but for the most part lack shade. Each has a covered picnic table, however.

There are 3 group campsites, one in the south area and 2 in the north area. In addition, there are two hike-in primitive camping areas, one on the River, and the other at the end of the Windmill trail much closer to the park entrance.

Nearly all of the tent campsites lie on the grassy lower bank of the river with terrific views of the river and the cliffs on the other side (sites 26-29 are on the higher campground level). During high water/heavy rains, these sites are likely deluged from the looks of all the runoff channels cut through the woods from the upper camping area down to the river. In addition, the dam upstream could release water. It turns out the access road into the park easily floods as well so do check the forecast & call the park to verify the road conditions and site availability.

Fishing from the banks is very popular as well as from a kayak or canoe. There are usually kayak rentals. The river current was slow enough to easily navigate both ways, with a good push upstream from a prevailing southerly breeze. There are resident turkey vultures constantly soaring, lots of turtles sunning, fish jumping, deer, Texas Hill Country Ring Tails (new to me!), birds & bats. And bugs – beetles, ants, wasps, caterpillars, flying creatures of all sorts – I just forgot how prolific they can be after being in the desert for 3 months!

The trails span the entire park and are open to hiking and most to biking. While biking the River Trail, I came across Gorman Cave, not marked on the park trail map for some reason. There was a narrow ledge path with a cable that prevented biking beyond it to Gorman Falls, but the cave was interesting to see (no access to preserve the bat population). Cedar Chopper Trail and the Windmill/Lively Loop combo were also great for biking and avoiding serious elevation issues. Do check out the park trail map carefully as there are many options (see link under the notes tab), some best accessed by driving back up towards the entrance to their trailheads, though most connect to the river in one way or another.

The park staff was helpful – all that was required at check-in was to pick-up your window tag for each vehicle. Online reservations seemed to work well although the only equipment option is “TENT” even for the RV sites. They are aware of this issue. There is a double water spigot on the right just before the host trailer as you enter the north camping area. There is also an outside cold rinse shower. Several vault toilets are spaced around the camping areas. There is no dump – I went to the Lometa Regional Park dump station, the closest I could find on Campendium, and it was fine for $5.

There is NO cell reception of any kind in the main campground. There is free WIFi at the campground office which is enough to get a few messages out and make a call. To access AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon, you need to drive a mile up out of the canyon to the Scenic Overlook pullout. A 2-3 bar signal with data can be obtained there. There is a free 911 emergency “pay” phone at the park office.

One final note - unfortunately, generators, though there weren’t many, are allowed all day and evening, except during quiet hours. My neighbors with the super C took full advantage of this. But as I said, most of the campers were there in small trailers or tents and generator free.

This park has great river access for fishing/canoeing and great hiking trails. THat said, it is dry camping, water available, no dump station. The RV sites are just a line up of spots, nothing special. This place used to be quiet, remote and did I say quiet? They paved the road in and it's now overrun by people in tents learning how to camp and many to lazy to walk to the pit toilets. The Staff is over run and over worked. I went mid week and it was crazy and it's close to Austin. It is a long drive in and no groceries stories close. No cell service.