McKinney Falls State Park
Come and explore Onion Creek as it flows over limestone ledges, creating pools along the way. Follow one of the many trails that wind through the Hill Country woods and discover an early Texas homestead or an ancient rock shelter. All of this can be found within Austin’s city limits at McKinney Falls State Park – so what are you waiting for?
Activities
Come to the park to experience all that Austin has to offer; we’re just a short thirteen miles from the state capitol. Here you can enjoy activities like camping, hiking, biking, geocaching, picnicking, and more. You can also fish and swim in Onion Creek.
However, be aware that Onion Creek can flood after heavy rains. Contact the park office for current creek conditions before you visit. You can also find swimming safety tips on our website.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, we have 81 campsites available (complete with water and electric hookups). We also have six newly remodeled cabins for rent, as well as a primitive youth camping area.
There are nearly nine miles of trails available for hiking and biking. The 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail is perfect for strollers and road bikes. Or take the Rock Shelter Trail (for hikers only) to see where early visitors used to camp. Use our Interactive Trails Map for a virtual tour of the trails.
Fishing is also a popular activity in Onion or Williamson creeks. You do not need a license to fish from shore in any Texas state park. Download our McKinney Falls State Park Fishing Tip Sheet for more information.
We want everyone to enjoy their time at the falls, so please help us keep the area clean! The following items are not allowed in the Upper and Lower Falls areas:
- Food or snacks
- Alcohol or glass
- Coolers, ice chests, or thermal bags
- Pets in the water
- Speakers or music
- Frisbees, footballs, soccer balls, or other hard balls
Flora and Fauna
White-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos, squirrels and many bird species including the colorful painted bunting all call this park home.
The Onion and Williamson creeks flow peacefully through the park, providing habitat for majestic bald cypress trees and bright wildflowers like red Turk’s cap.
Be sure to visit “Old Baldy” while you’re here! This incredible bald cypress tree is one of the oldest on public land in Texas. Estimated to be over 500 years old, this massive tree is 103 feet tall with a trunk measuring 195 inches around and a diameter of 60.5 inches.
PoI to business
PoI to next PoI