Chalk Ridge Falls Park — Attraction in Belton

I gave this park 3 stars even though I liked it because it was hard to navigate and the trails were VERY unkept. However, I think in the summer, when the falls are really rushing, this would be a beautiful place to stop and have a swim for both adults and children. I knew the falls would be thin because it's January, I didn't have high expectations. I was more so there to complete a hike along the lampasas river. I chose to do the Chalk Ridge Falls Park Trail which was about 3 miles out and back. It started off really nice, you pass the falls, then pass the broken down bridge, then pass a group seating area near the swimming hole AND THEN it gets wild. The trail is very unkept, I had to climb over and under broken down trees on the path, there are a lot of giant holes in the middl of the trail, it was hard to find alternate routes around such things because the shrubs are 3.5ft tall and there are a lot of greenbriars out there! I would not advise anyone go out past the swimming hole without proper boots or trail shoes and having their arms/legs covered or you'll end up with a lot of cuts. The end of the trail was also not at all exciting. There wasn't a waterfall, a swimming hole, or anything particularly exciting about the end. It just ended. Despite that trail being a whole ordeal, the rest of the park is a bit hard to navigate too. I have Verizon and I didn't have service throughout most of the park so I couldn't pull up my Alltrails app and I got turned around 3-4 times before I found my way to the trail. There are a lot of fun little side trails to be explored if you don't mind getting a little lost! Thankfully, you can hear the falls from most parts of the park so if you do get turned around, you can just head back to the falls. I'd still recommend a visit, and I may even come back in the warmer months to see if it's better maintained, but for now, 3...

A 4 ⭐️ because there is room for improvement. My experience for a nature hike was 5 ⭐️ While visiting this Salado area, we hit the road to enjoy the views. When all of a sudden we’re like “Whoa! Turn right, right now!” on the side of the road before the dam is an inauspicious sign for a park. I don’t remember exactly what it said, but it caught our attention. It turns out that it is a state park. Upon entering you see that there is parking, and scaled down usable state park public facilities. Volunteering or donations would go a long way and helping in this area.

Alongside the parking is grass; once you go beyond, you see a state park sign and the pathway that meanders and winds ahead. If you’re like us and choose not to have a journey but get lost in the experience itself then you’ll be surprised and somewhat in awe at what you can find. We definitely were.

Open those peepers and take in the views. There are paths, prairie- like areas, wooded areas, trees, rocky areas, water, and yes, and yes at one point you hear what you know is waterfalls and you can’t wait to take it in. I’m not talking your instant visualization of an island waterfall, but it is water cascading off of low rocks nonetheless. Inhale, breathe it in and plan on more nature in your future!

Happy trails until we...

!!!!Beware all dog owners!!!!

Please be careful taking your dogs on hikes and letting them into the water. Blue-green algae is everywhere it seems, and it is a terribly fast killer.

I was out on a hike with a friend and our dogs today at Chalk Ridge Falls, and after swimming through the creek, her dog collapsed within 4 minutes. She was limp and unresponsive. We rushed her to the nearest vet, where they intubated her as she was not breathing. Her heart rate was extremely low, but they were able to get that going again. Sadly, the few reflexes she still had on arrival, disappeared within the hour. Within 2 hours of her collapse, she went across the rainbow bridge, her mom and dad holding her closely.

One of my dogs started showing symptoms as well (shaky, hind legs giving out), but she's a large dog, and has since improved and doesn't appear to be in any danger at the moment. We are closely monitoring her and her brother.

Please hug your pups tight.

In loving memory of Autumn. 🖤 she was the...