Texas | Hill Country
Colorado RiverFM 580 Bridge to Colorado Bend State Park
Scenic 14.9-mile Colorado River float from the FM 580 public access near Bend to the Colorado Bend State Park take-out. American Whitewater rates the reach Class I-II, names the direct San Saba gauge, and documents the Bend-to-park route; TPWD identifies the FM 580 and Colorado Bend access points and the park's camping and launch facilities.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at the TPWD-listed FM 580 access and paddle the distinct 14.9-mile Bend-to-Colorado Bend State Park reach. Use direct USGS 08147000 with a conservative 100 cfs minimum-only screen, then make a same-day call on weather, rising water, debris, shallow lines, primitive access, and park conditions.
Access map
Put-in
FM 580 Colorado River accessTPWD lists FM 580 as primitive kayak/canoe access with no ramp; carry boats carefully and do not treat shoulders, fences, or private banks as public parking or access.
Take-out
Colorado Bend State Park river accessColorado Bend State Park provides the planned public take-out, launch facilities, camping, and day-use access, but reservations, fees, capacity, road flooding, and closures can change.
Road shuttle
Stage the vehicle at Colorado Bend State Park first, then drive back to the FM 580 access near Bend. TPWD describes FM 580 as primitive access without a ramp; inspect the carry and confirm lawful parking before launch.
Additional access notes
- The 100 cfs floor is a conservative community planning cue, not a safety certification. Below it expect shallow, rocky, or scrape-prone lines; above it, rising water, debris, and thunderstorms can still make the reach unsafe.
- American Whitewater identifies steep canyon banks, light rapids, private camps, and limited public exits. Leave daylight and weather margin and use only named public endpoints or clearly lawful emergency exits.
- Do not extend the route beyond Colorado Bend State Park or assume access at private camps and shoreline features.
More route and safety guidance
- TPWD lists FM 580 as primitive access with no ramp and Colorado Bend State Park as an easy-launch access; inspect both carries and do not assume shoulder parking or private shoreline access.
- Colorado Bend State Park requires the applicable day-use or camping reservation/fee. Do not infer legal camping at private camps, islands, sandbars, or other unlisted shoreline sites.
- Rising water, thunderstorms, debris, heat, and limited public exits can turn this long reach into a serious commitment; leave daylight and weather margin.
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Conditions
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Weather
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Colorado Rv nr San Saba, TX. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Colorado Rv nr San Saba, TX |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Southwest Paddler Colorado River Texas minimum flow |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route shape and difficultyBend / FM 580 Bridge to Colorado Bend State Park, 14.9 mi, Class I-II
American Whitewater names the reach, mileage, gradient, difficulty, direct gauge, and route features including FM 580, Gorman Falls, and the park take-out.
- Public put-in accessFM 580 / Colorado River, 31.1004, -98.5147
TPWD's Middle Colorado River public-access table identifies FM 580 as a free San Saba County kayak/canoe launch with primitive access and no ramp.
- Public take-out and campingColorado Bend State Park, 31.0183, -98.4467
TPWD identifies the park as a public Colorado River access with camping, day-use fees, and an easy launch; reserve entry/camping and check closures before launch.
- Product-supported live gaugeUSGS 08147000, Colorado Rv nr San Saba
USGS Water Data for the Nation and Water Services provide the direct discharge and stage source used by the product for this Colorado River reach.
- Conservative low-water floor100 cfs minimum-only
Southwest Paddler lists a 100 cfs minimum flow for this Colorado River section; Paddle Today uses it only as a conservative low-water screen, not a safety certification.
- Safety and logisticsLong day, limited exits, primitive FM 580 carry, park reservation
American Whitewater notes steep cliffs and light rapids; TPWD notes the primitive FM 580 carry and park access/camping rules. Private camps and banks are not treated as public access or camping.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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