Gorman Falls - Colorado Bend State Park, TX Photo Gallery by RichO at pbase.com

Gorman Falls - Colorado Bend State Park, TX

This is the featured attraction of Colorado Bend State Park, TX ( http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/colorado_bend/ ). Gorman Falls is a living and growing falls. Water from a spring fed creek flows over a cliff depositing minerals creating travertine formations. Above and below the falls is a dense and thriving wild microcosm teeming with animal and plant life. This is a precious and beautiful resource of the Texas I love. Will you join with me to help support the protection of the wild beauty of our natural world? Please feel free to forward the link to these photos to schools, organizations and government representatives to help spread the word about what we need to protect now so that our great grand kids will know first hand the beauty of this world. If you use this page in a presentation or classroom would you please contact me at my website: http://www.wildflowerhaven.com Thanks, RichO

Main Falls - 2007	Mist of the Falls - 2007	Gorman Falls - Briefing	Colorado River
Colorado River	Spring Creek	Spring Creek	Lilies of the Creek
Trail To The Falls	Down To The Falls	Panorama of Left Side	Wide Panoramic View
Gorman Falls Panorama	Right Side Of Falls	Gorman Falls - Full Size	Gorman Falls
Gorman Falls	Colorado River	Moss And Travertine	The Falls Grow

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RichO		01-Apr-2012 15:58
According to the TPWD site, the Gorman Cave with the bats has been closed. Other caves in the park are open only via special tours.

guest		01-Apr-2012 14:48
It's been many, many years since my husband and I, and 3 friends, went to camp out at Gorman Falls. We camped out very close to a cave, which we explored. There were a lot of bats living in the cave. I was just wondering if the cave is still available to go spelunking in, or if they have closed it off.

Marshall & Barbara		31-Dec-2010 17:19
My wife and I have been the park hosts at Colorado Bend State Park for several years and we have never grown tired of living here. I really enjoyed hearing about the original settlers of the area. Thanks for the great info! If any of ya'll make it out to the park, stop by and say howdy!

Martin		20-Aug-2010 17:28
Hi: visitors I am glad to hear that many people find Gorman Falls and it's beauty. My mother was born in Bend Texas in 1900 and I am one of the Great,Great Great grandsons of the Gorman family. J P Gorman was originally born to the family of the descendendts of William Alsup of England The history of the Alsups can be found in the writings and publishings of Jerry Alsups (Alsops Tables) Vol 1 and Vol 2 by Jerry David Alsup, B.S,. M.A. which is published by The Alsup Press at that time of Rt 1, Box 433-b Byhialia, Ms. 38611. J.P. Gorman who's homestead resulted from script purchased as a result of service in the army of Sam Huston and one who fought in the battles where Santa Anna was captured in the battle of San Jacinto . J. P. was paid for his services in script. by which he purchased land in Texas now known as Gorman Falls. J.P. was originally named Sidney Alsup as can be found in Jerry Alsups very interesting books. My Mother and uncles were born to Felix Manning Gorman who was the grandson of J P Gorman the original owner after God of the Gorman falls. MC

AST		10-Jun-2010 05:17
The first time I went to Gorman Falls I was an infant. Every year after we would go with the whole family, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles. Sometimes 2,3 times a summer, staying a week or more at a time. The men grappled the river....yes, I know it is illegal NOW. The game warden always seemed to look the other way when they would come up carrying the massive fish with stories of how they caught them on fishing line. As children we played under the falls, all up and down the river, swam in the icey cold swimming hole where I found my very first arrowhead, crossed the fence in the back to visit the spring and the huge fig grove. I saw my first mountain lion back there. Scared my pants off. At night we would take our flashlights and hunt crawdads in the crystal clear streams. After playing with them and fighting them we would always keep a few because we knew the raccoons would feast on them during the night. I can remember the smell of the old canvas tent , and how we preferred to pull the cots out and sleep under the stars so we could hear the locusts and the running of the stream. I can close my eyes and smell it, feel it and I long for Gorman Falls. It is a part of me. Its in my blood. I would sell everything I own to buy it. I would turn it back to the Gorman Falls I remember, broken bridges and all. God bless the Maxwells, my Gorman Falls grandparents.

Meredith Morgan		02-Jun-2010 22:54
I've lived in central Texas my whole life and never knew this place existed until last weekend when I got to visit it for the first time. I can't wait to go back and share the experience with others. Thanks for sharing your photos of this beautiful place.

Lorna Willhelm		28-May-2010 21:10
My family camped at Gorman Falls many times during my childhood. Wonderful memories!!! One of my favorite memories was Spring Creek actually running over the streets where you would drive to get to the campground. We used to love playing in the creek in this area. That is my only regret, that you are not allowed to drive through this area any longer. I would love to visit again soon!

MICHELLE BLOCKER		20-Jul-2008 17:13
MY FAMILY USED TO GO THERE FOR OUR FAMILY REUNIONS.AND I LOVED IT.I WISH IT WAS LIKE IT USED TO BE.THE CABINS SWIMMING IN THE WATER HOLE WITH FISH.IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.I WOULD LOVED TO HAVE GOT TO TAKE MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL TIMES THERE.THANK YOU FROM THE KINSEY FAMILY,

sheryl huckabay		18-May-2008 03:22
While these photos are beautiful the only way to really experience this awesome park is to visit. We used to own Gorman Falls in the early 80's before the State bought it. I took my mother on Mothers day in '81 and she fell on her way down to see the falls and broke her ribs. I made her swing over the creek (she still remembers the pain) at the base of the falls so we could stand in the spray. I was 5 months pregnant at the time. I remember it like it was yesterday. We still have a place in Bend and now my kids take their friends to this beautiful part of Texas and they are still in awe.

Perry DixonJr		03-Feb-2008 23:44
Look forward to coming there very soon I have heard so much by people in the Killeen area . Sunday channel surfing saw Texas Parks and Wildlife channel and there it was Gorman Falls it took my Breathe Away

RichO		17-Jan-2008 03:42
Darlene, I am pleased you enjoyed the photos. Gorman Falls is truly a very special place. I have visited it twice now. I believe the spring and swimming hole are closed to the public. The only areas that I have seen are the upper spring which is near where the tour begins and the falls. On my recent visit, I discovered that you can now hike down to the falls without going on the tour...perhaps I will the next time I visit there. Thanks for the comments! RichO

Guest		16-Jan-2008 06:54
I am a very lucky person, as my parents used to own Gorman Falls, and I grew up there. Your pictures are great even though it doesn't show the spring, or our swimming hole. I have such wonderful memories. Darlene Miller

Mike		19-May-2005 03:26
I was raised in San Saba county and this part of Tx. has been a hidden treasure for many a yr. Im glad other's are able to induldge in it's beauty. Many a place in the world has been touched by GOD but this area of the hill country truely has it's own mystic. Exelent photos i mite add ! Now that the secret's out let's try to show the respect it so deserves ! Thanks again injoyd your site. take care and GOD bless !

Shelly		22-Feb-2005 23:53
These pictures are great! I used to camp with my family at Gorman falls back in the early 70's. Didn't even know the park still existed. Thanks for sharing!

Marlene Connor		08-May-2002 12:31
Beautifu, Just pure heaven Rich. Thank you for sharing these photo's with the rest o the wof the world. Marlene

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