Colorado Bend State Park - Bend, TX
Colorado Bend State Park – Dog-Friendly Natural Oasis in Bend, Texas
Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Colorado Bend State Park is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts and their canine companions. This pet-friendly park features miles of scenic hiking trails, including the popular Gorman Falls and Spicewood Springs trails, both renowned for their picturesque water features and wildlife. Dogs are welcome to join you on these adventures, making it one of the top dog-friendly hiking destinations in Bend, Texas.
With well-marked trails ranging from moderate to challenging, the park offers breathtaking views, peaceful riverside spots, and shady areas perfect for a break. The campground section provides well-maintained sites, public restrooms, and picnic areas, making it easy to plan a full day or weekend amidst nature. Families appreciate the kid-friendly hikes and helpful park rangers, while nature lovers relish the quiet beauty and open spaces for their pets to explore. Whether you’re seeking a new dog park in Bend, Texas, or just want an epic outdoor experience with your pup, Colorado Bend State Park is a gem you won’t want to miss!
Frequently Asked Questions – Colorado Bend State Park
- Are dogs allowed at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are multiple scenic hiking trails including Gorman Falls, Dogleg Canyon, and Spicewood Springs trails that are dog-friendly.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, public restrooms are available at the park.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the park has a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, the park offers picnic tables and barbecue grills for visitor use.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are shaded areas and natural cover along the trails and campgrounds.
- Are there staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, friendly and helpful park rangers are available onsite.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, reviews mention the park is beautiful, well-maintained, and the campsites are kept clean.
- Is there parking available? Yes, parking lots are available at trailheads and other areas around the park.
Reviews
Beautiful park with great service and friendly staff
We had a wonderful experience at the campground — the staff was very friendly and helpful. The hiking trails were fun and well-marked, and the views were amazing. The waterfall was absolutely stunning — definitely the highlight of the trip. Highly recommend this place for nature lovers and families!
Awesome Texas park! My husband and I did a three day trip and had a great time. The staff were so friendly and helpful. When they saw us walking they made sure to check in and confirm we had enough water-lovely experience every time we went into HQ (had to buy my state park pin 😉) they have a fridge full of water/gatoraid/ice cream available for donations only. Campsites were beautiful and well maintained, trails were well maintained and clearly marked. So large that even with a lot of the campsites full the trails never seemed packed. Water was low so the falls were barely running and some of the springs seemed low but you can’t control Texas! 10/10 would recommend! Already planing when to bring our friends back with us!
Colorado Bend State Park is an absolute gem in the Texas Hill Country! My recent hike from the Gorman Falls parking lot was unforgettable. While Gorman Falls itself was neat with its cascading beauty, I was blown away by the mouth of Gorman Spring—so refreshing and cool, it felt like a hidden oasis. The Slide Overlook stole the show with its jaw-dropping views of the rugged landscape, perfect for soaking in the vastness of the park. Covering about 9 miles in 3 hours, the trails were challenging but rewarding, with rocky paths and stunning scenery. Highly recommend exploring beyond the falls to the spring and overlook for a truly epic experience. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and a camera—this park is a must-visit for any nature lover!
Arrived here, Friday, April 18 around 11 AM and went straight to the Gorman Falls trails. my three sons and I had a pretty good walk all the way out to the falls, which were really beautiful, and enjoyed the scenery, taking in the wildlife, and everything snapped a bunch of photos. Be sure to take plenty of water with you and some really good shoes and a camera.
We hiked from Cedar Chopper to Dogleg canyon trail up the northern part of the river trail, to Gorman falls trail to see the waterfall. Great 6 mile hike. Level: moderate to difficult. The trail to th waterfall is SUPER steep and rocky.
Consider in the late afternoon or early morning when it’s cooler!
We also did the spicewood springs trail/spocewood canyon trail in the morning! Beautiful hike where you can sit along some ponds of water. Also another dog-friendly trail!
The rangers at the HQ were AWESOME. Super kinda and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the park. They also have a water/gatorade fridge where you can get a cold drink- pay by donation only. They also have a list of all the restaurants around the area so if you decide to have a meal out they know where to go!