Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend State Park covers 5,328 acres of the Gorman and Lemons ranches along the Colorado River, above the head of Lake Buchanan. Texas Parks and Wildlife bought the land in 1984 and 1987, and the park opened in 1988. Most of it lies in San Saba County; the smaller piece in Lampasas County has no public access.

It is karst country, full of sinkholes, caves and springs, and its best-known feature is made by spring water. Gorman Spring and its neighbors feed Gorman Creek, which falls about 70 feet to the river over fern-covered travertine, a rock laid down by the spring water itself. The hike is a 3-mile round trip over rough, rocky ground, and rangers lead guided walks as well. Spicewood Springs runs down a side canyon in a string of pools.

There are more than 35 miles of hiking and biking trails, and wild cave tours by reservation go underground. The river holds the Guadalupe bass, a fish found only in Texas, and the endangered golden-cheeked warbler nests in the park. Camping is simple: drive-up, walk-in and hike-in sites with water nearby and no hookups.