Hiking Gorman Falls to see one of the biggest waterfalls in Texas was a hiker’s wild paradise. We absolutely loved all the trails at Colorado Bend State Park. Gorman Falls was the first trail that we hiked. Hiking Gorman Falls | Kid-Friendly Texas Big
Gorman Fall, Colorado Bend State Park
I Can’t Believe We’re in Texas
Yes, we did have that “I can’t believe we’re in Texas” moment when we arrived at the waterfall on the Gorman Falls Trail. The sounds, and standing in the middle of the Falls area, I had a flashback from a trip I had taken to Costa Rica.
Texas Big
The 70-foot cliff that is also 650 feet wide makes Gorman Falls one of the biggest waterfalls in Texas? Depending on the season, the waterfall will be flowing all 150 feet across or just a few feet across.
Waterfall Expectations
If it has not been raining very much, especially during a hot Texas summer month, you most likely won’t be seeing the waterfall for all its glory.
Whatever time of the year that you visit, Gorman Falls flows year-round so you will see something. Even the dry part of the waterfall is unique and creates a special viewing.
Our Gorman Falls Hike
We walked up to Gorman Falls in the early morning.
The Gorman Falls Trail does not have shade. Therefore, it was nice to hike in the morning before the high noon sun.
Even though temperatures were only in the lower 80’s, with the Texas sun we felt the heat.
For the hotter, late-afternoon, we hiked the Spicewood Canyon Trail. We stayed cool and refreshed on that trail by dipping our feet into the naturally spring fed swimming holes and small waterfalls. I’ll post more information on that hike later.
Hiking Gorman Falls Trail | Kid-Friendly
Even though the trail is labeled challenging, we found it to be puppy and kid-friendly.
I did this hike alone with my twin 8-yr-olds, my 10-yr.-old, and our 8-month-old puppy. With a park map in hand, my twins led our hike. They did a very impressive job.
A few times, I questioned our path, but then one of my boys would point out a colored orange marker. With my boys leading, we had no problem finding our way down to the waterfall.
Follow the Colored Markers
My advice to others would be to keep your eye out for those orange or red (depending on your trail) markers when the trail has turnoffs and other questionable trail paths.
We had two different groups of people ask if they could follow us back up to the parking lot because they had gotten lost coming down the trail.
I said yes, but when they saw that my 8-yr.-old twins were my map/path leaders, I think they lost confidence in us and started on back.
Or maybe we were walking too slow? I always encourage my boys to hike slowly. Travel in any form for me is a little bit for the destination but more for the journey
Time Needed to Hike Gorman Falls
The hike is almost 3 miles roundtrip. We aren’t speed walkers when hiking. We often stopped to check out wildlife, rocks, cacti, or drink some water. It took us just under 3 hours to hike the Gorman Falls Trail. We also spent an additional 30 minutes walking around the waterfall and snacking by the river.
Foot Trail for the Gorman Falls Trail
In the beginning, the foot trail is flat, spacious, with cacti galore.
Almost a mile into the walk the trail gets a bit trickier. The straight flat path gets curvy with meandering trail paths around larger rocks and trees. Not only does the terrain become rockier but also more of an incline.
The final downhill is short but rugged and extremely steep. It is the last part of the trail before the waterfall.
One of my boys decided to sit and scoot this downhill part.
There is also a rail to hold on to for extra support. Without the assistance of this rail, I think many would be slipping and or falling down the last of the path.
Our 8-month-old lab-boxer puppy mix was easily jumping down in her descent and later ascending this steep path making the four of us look bad.
Foot Trail Weather Caution
* If it had been raining or had any ice on the rocks, I think even the rail wouldn’t have been enough for all of us to have walked down the path. I’m pretty sure we would have been sliding down some of that path.
Don’t Forget
- Sun protection: Sunscreen and hats
- Bug repellent
- Water, Water, Water
- Good hiking shoes
- Dogs are allowed but remember water for them. Also, think about their paws!! Lots of cacti, and hot limestone rocks. I wouldn’t have taken our puppy on this trail during the hot Texas summer.
