Visited: November 1, 2026
Location: Colorado City, Texas
Official Park Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-colorado-city
Introduction
After spending a time exploring New Mexico, including Carlsbad Caverns, we stopped at Lake Colorado City State Park on our way home. We weren't looking for a big adventure or a long hike at this point. We just wanted to explore another Texas state park, enjoy the scenery, and see what it had to offer.
And, well, we saw it.
There were some interesting discoveries along the shoreline, and the park certainly has plenty of amenities. But this was one of those visits where we both agreed that once was probably enough.
Our Visit
We visited on November 1, 2026, when the weather was a bit cloudy and cool. The lake was also quite low, at approximately 50–53% capacity, which didn't help the scenery.
We started by driving the paved roads throughout the park. There were actually more paved routes than I expected, so we could see quite a bit without much effort.
Unfortunately, the views didn't change much.
My biggest complaint was the power lines. There are lots of them near and through the park, and they really take away from the natural scenery. I kept hoping we'd find a nice overlook or some sweeping lake views, but nothing really stood out.
Evan was a little more positive about the scenery. He thought it was a nice-looking, fairly large lakefront park with plenty of amenities. Nothing spectacular, but certainly pleasant enough.
We did eventually get out and take a short walk down to the lake. After our adventures at Carlsbad Caverns, neither of us was particularly interested in a long hike, so this was just about right.
There was a little stepping down to reach the shoreline and, of course, stepping back up afterward, but nothing particularly difficult.
And this is where the park got more interesting.
Our Favorite Things
Interesting Rocks and Unexpected Seashells
The shoreline was easily one of the more interesting parts of our visit.
There were some unusual rocks with smooth surfaces and interesting shapes. Evan wondered whether they might be volcanic in origin. We don't know that for certain, but they were definitely different from what we'd expected to find.
We also found seashells along the shoreline, which was a fun little discovery. I always enjoy finding unexpected things when exploring, and the rocks and shells were much more interesting to me than the broader lake views.
Cactus and Flowers in November
For me, the plants were probably the highlight of the park.
We saw prickly pear cactus, mesquite, other desert plants, and several varieties of flowers still blooming in November. I hadn't expected quite that much color this late in the year.
I love seeing the variety of plants that grow in different parts of Texas, and this was one of the few things that made me want to stop and look around a little longer.
The Cabins
We didn't camp, but I have to give the park credit for its camping options.
Evan thought the camping facilities were pretty impressive, especially the number of little cabins scattered throughout the park.
I thought the cabins were cute, too. In fact, while I don't particularly plan to return, if we ever did, I'd be tempted to stay in one.
Apparently, even a park that doesn't wow me can still have accommodations that catch my attention.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Plan on about an hour for a quick visit. That's how long we spent, and it was enough for us. If you're planning to fish, swim, or camp, you'll obviously want more time.
It's an easy park to explore by car. We drove the accessible paved roads and saw a good portion of the park without much walking. The short walk we took to the shoreline wasn't difficult.
The lake level matters. During our visit, the lake was only about half full. I suspect the overall appearance and water activities would be more appealing with higher water levels.
Fishing appears to be popular. Evan noticed quite a few people fishing and noted that bass fishing is a popular activity here. The park also has a boat ramp and a large swimming area.
Don't count on seeing roadrunners. We were told there were lots of them in the park. We saw exactly zero. Apparently, the roadrunners had other plans that day.
This may be a better camping or fishing destination than a sightseeing destination. The amenities were more impressive than the scenery, at least during our visit.
Our Ratings
We each completed our own park review, and while we agreed on the overall verdict, we had slightly different opinions about some of the individual categories.
Ratings below are averaged from our individual scores where applicable, using a five-point scale. Activities we didn't try aren't included in the averages.
| Category | Judy | Evan | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenery & Sightseeing | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Wildlife & Plants | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Scenic Driving & Off-Roading | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| History & Educational Features | N/A | 1 | 1 |
Our Overall Ratings
Judy: One Visit Was Enough
The power lines and lack of interesting overlooks really hurt the scenery for me. I did enjoy the cactus, flowers, shells, and unusual shoreline rocks, but there wasn't enough here to make me want to return. I'm glad we stopped, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again.
Evan: One Visit Was Enough
Evan appreciated the size of the park, the lakefront setting, and the impressive camping amenities. He rated the scenery and wildlife a little higher than I did, but ultimately didn't find anything especially memorable. He thought it was a perfectly reasonable place for fishing or camping, just not somewhere we'd need to visit twice.
Official Park Information
According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, Lake Colorado City State Park is located along Lake Colorado City in West Texas. The park offers opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, swimming, and exploring the lakeshore. Visitors can choose from campsites and cabins, making it a possible destination for an overnight or weekend stay. The park is particularly suited to visitors interested in lake recreation and spending time outdoors.
For current water conditions, fees, reservations, and park alerts, check the official park website before visiting.
Final Thoughts
Lake Colorado City State Park wasn't one of our favorites, but it wasn't a complete disappointment, either.
The shoreline had some interesting rocks and shells, I enjoyed the variety of cactus and flowers, and Evan appreciated the camping facilities and overall layout.
But the power lines, low lake level, and lack of memorable viewpoints made it hard for either of us to get excited about the scenery.
I think this is a park that probably appeals much more to people who want to fish, camp, or spend time on the water than to people like us who are looking for interesting landscapes, scenic drives, and things to explore.
We spent about an hour, saw what we wanted to see, and continued on our way home.
Would we return? Probably not. But we're glad we stopped, and we can check another Texas state park off our list!
And at least we got some interesting rocks and seashells out of the deal.
