State park in Austin, at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek, includes several hiking trails and the namesake features of the park, the scenic upper and lower falls along Onion Creek
General Information
Children 12 Years and Under: Free
Park often reaches capacity; reservations are highly recommended for both camping and day use. To guarantee entrance reserve passes online, or by calling the customer service center, before visit.
Take I-35 S, Exit 230, E Ben White Blvd, Burleson Rd and McKinney Falls Pkwy. Turn right.
McKinney Falls State Park is a state park in Austin, Texas, at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek. It is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The park opened on April 15, 1976 and is named after Thomas F. McKinney, a businessman, race horse breeder and rancher, who owned and lived on the land in the mid-to-late 19th century. The park is part of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.
The park includes several designated hiking trails. The namesake features of the park are the scenic upper and lower falls along Onion Creek.
The park also features the Smith Rock Shelter, a limestone overhang used for shelter by Native Americans for hundreds of years, along with the ruins of McKinney's stone house, gristmill and his horse trainer's cabin. The Smith Rock Shelter and the McKinney homestead have each been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to Do
Visit Upper and Lower McKinney Falls
See the park's signature waterfalls as Onion Creek flows over rugged limestone ledges, creating scenic cascades, swimming holes, and beautiful photo opportunities.
Swim in Onion Creek
Cool off in the creek's natural pools and enjoy one of Austin's favorite outdoor recreation spots.
Hike Nearly Nine Miles of Trails
Explore trails that wind through woodlands, creekside scenery, historic sites, and rocky Hill Country landscapes.
Bike Through the Park
Ride paved and natural-surface trails suitable for both casual cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Visit the McKinney Homestead
Discover the remains of an early Texas homestead and learn about the area's historic settlement.
See the Historic Gristmill Ruins
Explore remnants of an old gristmill and other historic structures connected to the park's past.
Explore the Rock Shelter
Follow the Rock Shelter Trail to a prehistoric limestone overhang once used by early visitors to the area.
Visit the Visitor Center
Learn about the park's natural and cultural history, enjoy views of Upper Falls, and explore exhibits including the bat cave display.
Top Trails
Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Paved surface, creek views, wildlife viewing, access to Upper Falls, and family-friendly hiking and biking.
Rock Shelter Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Ancient rock shelter, Onion Creek views, and the park's famous bald cypress tree known as “Old Baldy.”
Homestead Trail
Distance: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: McKinney Homestead ruins, gristmill remains, historic features, and creek crossings.
Flint Rock Loop Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Rocky terrain, hardwood forests, and a more secluded hiking experience.
Williamson Creek Overlook Trail
Distance: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Scenic views of Williamson Creek and quiet natural surroundings.
Cactus Garden Trail
Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Large patches of prickly pear cactus and native Hill Country vegetation.
Bald Cypress, sycamores and pecan trees line the banks of Onion Creek and live oak, ashe juniper, and mesquite can be found on the drier uplands. Other trees found in the park include Wafer Ash, Red Oak, Texas Persimmon, chinaberry, Cedar Elm and Mexican Plum. In spring, the roads are lined with flowers, dominated by the Texas Bluebonnet. Cacti can also be found such as the Prickly Pear and Pencil Cactus.
White-tailed deer are common throughout the park, as well as raccoons, armadillos, coyote, cottontail rabbits and Fox squirrels. Many bird species are found in the park such as the Northern mockingbird, Northern cardinal, Greater roadrunner, Carolina wren, Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Painted bunting, Carolina chickadee, Blue jay, Killdeer and Mourning dove. Areas in and around the creeks are inhabited by the Guadalupe spiny softshell turtle, Red-eared slider, Alligator snapping turtle and Blanchard's cricket frog. Many species of snakes such as the Texas rat snake, Texas indigo racer and Western diamondback rattlesnake are also found.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "McKinney Falls State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0 Sources: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department information on waterfalls, swimming, camping, fishing, biking, historic sites, visitor amenities, and park activities. [1](https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls) Trail distances, difficulty ratings, historic attractions, Rock Shelter, Homestead, and Williamson Creek Overlook information. [2](https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls/trails-info) Additional information regarding Onion Creek Trail, Upper Falls access, wildlife viewing, and popular visitor experiences. [3](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/onion-creek)[4](https://enchantingtexas.com/onion-creek-hike-and-bike-trail-mckinney-falls/)[5](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/onion-creek-and-homestead-trail-loop--2)[6](https://enchantingtexas.com/upper-mckinney-falls-waterfall/)
