TX State ParksAn independent field guide

Lake Colorado City State Park

State park in Mitchell County, in the Panhandle Plains region. Established 1972. 500 acres.

Participants on trail through rocks during First Day Hike 2017, Lake Colorado City State Park, Texas.
Photo: Barbara Brannon, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lake Colorado City State Park is a quiet lake park just south of I-20 between Midland and Abilene. You can fish for bass, catfish and sunfish, swim, and paddle (the park rents kayaks), and more than 300 bird species have been seen here. The lake sometimes has algae blooms that can close it, so call to check lake conditions before you go.

Things to do

Fish

Fish the 1,618-acre lake from the pier or a boat. You don't need a license from shore or the pier, and the park loans equipment.

Swim and paddle

Swim (no lifeguards) or rent a kayak; paddles and life vests are included.

Participants on a trail during First Day Hike 2017, Lake Colorado City State Park, Texas.
Photo: Barbara Brannon, CC BY 2.0
Prickly pear cactus along the Cactus Cut Trail in Lake Colorado City State Park in Mitchell County, Texas, United States.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
A view of Lake Colorado City from the Roadrunner Loop Trail in Lake Colorado City State Park in Mitchell County, Texas, United States.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0

Trails

Trails listed by TPWD, with its own distances and ratings.

TrailDistanceDifficulty
Cactus Cut Trail1 miEasy - Moderate
Roadrunner Loop Trail2.1 miles (total loop)Moderate

Source: TPWD trail list. TPWD doesn’t list trail surfaces. Printable trail map (PDF).

Camping

There are campsites with electricity (some pull-through), water-only sites and 11 cabins, with restrooms and showers in every loop.

Site typeSitesSleepsPer night
Campsites with Electricity (Pull-through)Water and electric98$22
Campsites with ElectricityWater and electric698$20
Campsites with WaterTent sites with water348$15
CabinsCabins118$60

Nightly rates are on top of the daily entrance fee. Book a site with Texas State Parks reservations, or call (512) 389-8900.

Visiting with dogs

Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Like every Texas state park, they can't go into park buildings or designated swimming areas.

Swimming

Swimming is allowed in designated areas. There are no lifeguards at Texas state parks.

Best time to go

Busy season
Easter weekend through Labor Day
Night sky
Bortle 4

TPWD lists Easter weekend through Labor Day as the busy season. If you'll arrive after 10 p.m., call (325) 728-3931 during office hours for entry instructions.

Averages and busy season from TPWD. The Bortle scale runs from 1 (darkest sky) to 9 (inner city).

Getting there

4582 FM 2836
Colorado City, TX 79512
(325) 728-3931

Open in OpenStreetMap (32.3182, -100.9365)

From the nearest cities in this guide
FromApprox. driveStraight line
Midland1 hr 37 min72 mi
Lubbock2 hr 20 min102 mi
Fort Worth4 hr 5 min211 mi
Amarillo4 hr 21 min206 mi
Dallas4 hr 43 min245 mi
Waco4 hr 54 min226 mi
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Nearby parks

  1. Big Spring State Park33 miles away. Free entry.
  2. Abilene State Park62 miles away. $5 per adult, kids 12 and under free. Swimming allowed.
  3. San Angelo State Park64 miles away. $4 per adult, kids 12 and under free. Swimming allowed.
  4. Lake Brownwood State Park116 miles away. $5 per adult, kids 12 and under free. Swimming allowed.
  5. Monahans Sandhills State Park120 miles away. $4 per adult, kids 12 and under free.

Straight-line distance. See every park in the Panhandle Plains.

Questions people ask

Can you swim at Lake Colorado City State Park?

Yes, but there are no lifeguards. Call ahead, because algae blooms occasionally close the lake.

Does Lake Colorado City State Park have cabins?

Yes, 11 cabins.

Photo credits

Sources

Last checked October 14, 2026. Fees, hours and rules change; the official TPWD page for Lake Colorado City has current alerts and closures.

  1. TPWD: Lake Colorado City State Park, retrieved October 14, 2026
  2. TPWD state parks map (amenities, contact), retrieved October 14, 2026
  3. TPWD GIS: Texas State Parks Public Areas, retrieved October 14, 2026
  4. TPWD: Bortle ratings by region, retrieved October 14, 2026
  5. TPWD: Lake Colorado City State Park campsites, retrieved October 14, 2026
  6. TPWD: Lake Colorado City State Park cabins and lodging, retrieved October 14, 2026
  7. TPWD: Lake Colorado City State Park trails, retrieved October 14, 2026
  8. TPWD: Lake Colorado City State Park history, retrieved October 14, 2026
  9. TPWD: state park rules (pets, swimming), retrieved October 14, 2026
  10. Wikipedia: List of Texas state parks, retrieved October 14, 2026
  11. OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data (approximate drive times), retrieved October 14, 2026
  12. Wikimedia Commons (photos), retrieved October 14, 2026