Colorado Bend Turns Lampasas County toward River-and-Cave Country

Texas Parks and Wildlife bought portions of Colorado Bend in 1984 and 1987. The 5,328.3-acre park opened in 1988 on land that had been part of the Gorman and Lemons ranches. Old ranch country became a public way into a much rougher side of the Hill Country.

The park follows six miles of the Colorado River above Lake Buchanan. More than 35 miles of hike-and-bike trails spread away from the water. Visitors can fish, paddle, camp, and follow the river through country that does not feel much like the courthouse square in Lampasas.

The ground below the trails is part of the story too. Colorado Bend has more than 400 caves, along with springs and the 70-foot Gorman Falls. Water moves through limestone above and below ground, so a river hike and a cave tour show two sides of the same landscape.

Colorado Bend lies in both Lampasas and San Saba counties. For western Lampasas County, it adds river bends, old ranch land, falls, and underground passages to the local map. The park feels remote, but its history is tied to the county's working land as much as to its scenery.