Post Oak Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Post Oak Falls can only be seen from the Colorado River. There is no trail or land access.
Photo Credits (2)
About Post Oak Falls
Post Oak Falls is where Post Oak Creek spills over travertine (tufa) ledges into the Colorado River in San Saba County, Texas, downstream of the main area of Colorado Bend State Park and upstream of Lake Buchanan. It is a smaller version of nearby Gorman Falls and flows best after rain. It is seen only from the river.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no trail to Post Oak Falls. Visitors see it from a boat, canoe or kayak on the Colorado River.
What to Expect
A spring- and rain-fed cascade over moss and travertine on the canyon wall above the river. In dry summers the flow can drop to a trickle.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Post Oak Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Post Oak Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
After rain, especially in spring or fall when temperatures are mild.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Wear a life jacket and watch for changing river levels after rain. Travertine ledges are fragile and slippery, so do not climb on them.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Colorado Rv, 15.9 miles away, not on Post Oak Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
201 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 96 years of record
2.58 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Colorado Rv nr San Saba, TX (26 km away).
Today
Roaring
201 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Roaring
185 cfs
9/10Sat
Roaring
209 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
228 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
202 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
192 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
198 cfs
9/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to late June, peaking in June.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Tow hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Post Oak Falls Frozen?
Updated about 21 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Post Oak Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 70°F to 57°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 146 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Along the line through the falls, the bare ground drops about 200 feet, most of it in one sheer step, the signature of a plunge waterfall. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,149 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 43 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 37 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northeast, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,149 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 200 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Post Oak Falls is visible only from the Colorado River. Paddlers and boaters typically reach this stretch from the boat ramp at Colorado Bend State Park, 1201 Colorado Park Road, Bend.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at Colorado Bend State Park (entry fee applies) if launching from the park's boat ramp. There is no parking at the falls.
Elevation
1,083 feet above sea level
Coordinates
31.005574° N, -98.459256° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Check river levels and weather before launching, and stay on the water; the banks along this stretch may be private land.
Where to Stay
Thunderbird Lodge
Oasis Lake Buchanan
Lake Beach Access & Views, 5kings!
Dofflemyer Hotel
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Colorado Bend State Park has Gorman Falls, Spicewood Springs and many miles of hiking and biking trails.
Cities near Post Oak Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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