Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $6 adults; 12 and under free.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Burn ban: TPWD's official alert page, checked on October 29, 2026, shows a burn ban dated Aug. 11, 2026. Wood fires are not allowed, but charcoal or propane cooking is. The park is open daily, and day passes sell out every weekend and holiday, so reserve ahead. What the status labels mean
McKinney Falls State Park sits on Onion Creek inside Austin's city limits, run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The creek spills over limestone at an Upper Falls and a Lower Falls, and TPWD gives no height for either. The 0.5-mile Picnic Trail reaches the Lower Falls. Entry is $6 for adults, and day passes sell out every weekend and holiday. You can swim in Onion Creek. As of October 29, 2026, a burn ban bars wood fires.
About McKinney Falls
McKinney Falls State Park protects two waterfalls on Onion Creek. At the Upper Falls, the water cascades through natural channels. TPWD says those channels cut through "a massive bed of exposed limestone and volcanic ash". At the Lower Falls, the creek flows over limestone ledges into a pool below.
TPWD publishes no height for either falls, so this page lists none. The Visitor Center has an observation deck that TPWD says gives "a great view of the Upper Falls," plus a bat cave exhibit.
The prehistoric Rock Shelter at McKinney Falls is listed on the National Register. TPWD says it "provided shelter for Native Americans for more than 8,000 years". The creek crossing is part of El Camino Real de los Tejas, a 2,500-mile road. TPWD says the crossing has served as an important river crossing for over 400 years.
TPWD says you can also fish in Onion or Williamson creeks. "You do not need a license to fish from shore in a Texas state park," it adds.
TPWD says enslaved people built the McKinney Homestead for Thomas McKinney, a racehorse breeder and one of Stephen F. Austin's original colonists. The homestead dates from 1850 to 1940. McKinney's gristmill went up in 1852, and TPWD calls it "one of the first flour mills in the region". Wikipedia says a flood destroyed it in 1869.
The Smith family bought McKinney's land in 1885 and donated over 600 acres to Texas in the 1970s, according to TPWD. Wikipedia gives the park's size as 744.4 acres and says it opened on April 15, 1976.
The Rock Shelter Trail passes Old Baldy, a 100-foot bald cypress that TPWD says is more than 500 years old. It was voted Austin's Tree of the Year in 2012.
Getting there and parking
The park address is 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, TX 78744. TPWD says the whole park lies within Austin's city limits, "just 13 miles from the state capitol". Call the park at (512) 243-1643.
Reserve a day pass before you go. TPWD's alert page says "Day passes sell out every weekend and holiday," and the park strongly encourages buying ahead for weekends, school breaks and holidays. Book online or call (512) 389-8900.
Entry costs $6 per adult per day, and children 12 and under get in free. The gate is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The park office keeps 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and the Visitor Center opens Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We found no separate parking fee or lot map on the TPWD pages we read. The Directions button goes to TPWD's park coordinates. The map pin marks the Upper Falls, using the coordinates on TPWD's trails page.
Planning a second stop? Pedernales Falls is 30 miles west of Austin, per TPWD. It charges the same $6 daily fee, but swimming is banned in its falls area. Our Texas waterfalls guide compares the two parks.
Camping at McKinney Falls State Park
TPWD lists 81 campsites, all with water and electric hookups. Twelve sites have 50/30/20-amp service at $24 a night, and 69 have 30/20-amp service at $20 a night. Both prices are plus the daily entrance fee, and each site holds up to 8 people.
Every site has water, a picnic table, a tent pad, a fire ring with grill and a lantern post. Restrooms with showers are nearby. TPWD notes that sites 8 and 18, and sites 62 and 65, sit close together and suit groups.
The park also has six newly remodeled cabins, per TPWD, and Cabin 6 is wheelchair-accessible. We found no cabin prices on the pages we read. A primitive youth camping area is open to nonprofit youth groups.
Reserve campsites and cabins online or at (512) 389-8900. TPWD's campsite page notes that information and prices can change. Pets cannot enter Texas State Park buildings.
As listed on Oct 29, 2026, TPWD's alert page shows a burn ban dated Aug. 11, 2026. "Wood fires are not allowed," it says, but you may cook with charcoal or containerized fuel such as propane. In normal times, campfires are allowed only in designated rings.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
TPWD lists nearly nine miles of trails. All of them allow hiking and biking unless marked otherwise, and the Picnic and Rock Shelter trails are hiking only. Here are TPWD's figures; it does not say whether distances are one way or round trip.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Shelter | 0.6 mi | 15 min | Easy | Hiking only; passes Old Baldy and the Rock Shelter |
| Onion Creek Hike and Bike | 2.8 mi | 1.5 hrs | Easy | Improved, hard surface |
| Picnic Trail | 0.5 mi | 15 min | Easy | Hiking only; views of the Lower Falls |
| Homestead | 3.1 mi | 1.5 hrs | Moderate | Reached only by crossing the creek |
| Flint Rock Loop | 1.5 mi | 1 hr | Moderate | Reached by crossing the creek |
| Williamson Creek Overlook | 1.1 mi | 45 min | Moderate | Reached by crossing the creek |
| Cactus Garden | 0.5 mi | 15 min | Moderate |
Upper Falls. The 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail has a hard surface. TPWD calls it "good for strollers and road bikes". Its accessibility page warns of a steep incline from the Visitor Center to the Upper Falls.
Lower Falls. The 0.5-mile Picnic Trail leads to what TPWD calls "great views at the Lower Falls". The 0.6-mile Rock Shelter Trail is the other short option. Old Baldy and the prehistoric shelter are along the way.
The creek crossing: to reach the Homestead, Flint Rock Loop and Williamson Creek Overlook trails, you must cross the creek at the Lower Falls. TPWD says to use extreme caution and to plan on getting your feet wet. These trails may be closed when the water is high.
All-terrain wheelchairs: TPWD offers several for the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, including a Grit Freedom Chair, an EcoRover Trackchair and a Tandem Hiking Cart. Reserve one for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily by email or at (512) 243-1643. TPWD says none of the picnic sites are ADA accessible.
When to visit
TPWD lists March through November as the busy season. On weekends and holidays in any month, expect day passes to sell out, according to the park's alert page.
We found no official best month for flow. TPWD's climate figures show May as the wettest month, an average July high of 95°F and an average January low of 37°F.
Because Onion Creek can flood after rain, TPWD asks you to contact the park for current creek conditions. That also tells you whether the Lower Falls crossing is passable.
The park is open daily, and the gate closes at 10 p.m. The Visitor Center, with its view of the Upper Falls, is open only Friday to Sunday.
| Trail | The Picnic Trail to the Lower Falls is 0.5 mi, easy and about 15 min (TPWD). The Upper Falls is on the hard-surface Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, with a steep incline from the Visitor Center |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy on the Picnic, Rock Shelter and Onion Creek trails; the trails past the Lower Falls creek crossing are moderate (TPWD) |
| Time needed | About 15 min for the Picnic Trail (TPWD) |
| Entry fee | $6 per adult per day; children 12 and under free (TPWD). Campsites are $20 or $24 a night plus the daily entrance fee |
| Permit / reservation | No permit, but TPWD highly recommends reserving a day pass; its alert page says passes sell out every weekend and holiday |
| Parking | No lot details found; reserve a day pass |
| Hours / season | Open daily. Gate 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m.; Visitor Center Fri-Sun 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (TPWD) |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash. TPWD bans pets in the water at the Upper and Lower Falls. Pets cannot enter park buildings. |
| Swimming | Allowed in Onion Creek, per TPWD, which strongly suggests every swimmer wear a life jacket and warns the creek can flood after rain |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Partly: all-terrain wheelchairs can be reserved for the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, which has a steep incline to the Upper Falls. The Smith Visitor Center is fully accessible (TPWD) |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Restrooms with showers near the campsites; accessible restrooms at the Smith Visitor Center and the Big Cedar and Grapevine restrooms (TPWD) |
| Best time to visit | No official best month; TPWD lists March through November as the busy season and May as the wettest month |
| Crowds | High: TPWD says day passes sell out every weekend and holiday |
| Managed by | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) |
Safety and swimming
TPWD says you can swim in Onion Creek, and it strongly suggests that all swimmers wear a life jacket. Bring one if you plan to get in the water.
"Onion Creek can flood after rainfall," TPWD warns. It asks you to watch the creek's flow and contact the park for current creek conditions. Stay out of the creek when the water is high, muddy or rising.
TPWD does not allow these 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
Keep pets on a leash and out of the water. At the Lower Falls crossing, TPWD urges extreme caution, so turn back if the flow looks strong. Our waterfall safety guide covers moving water and slick rock in more depth.
Conditions change: confirm with TPWD before you go.
Where to stay near McKinney Falls
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Photos
McKinney Falls FAQ
Do you need a reservation for McKinney Falls State Park?
No, but TPWD highly recommends one for both day use and camping. Its alert page says day passes sell out every weekend and holiday. Reserve online or at (512) 389-8900 to guarantee entry.
Is McKinney Falls State Park free?
No. TPWD charges $6 per adult per day, and children 12 and under get in free. Camping costs extra: $20 or $24 a night plus the entrance fee.
Can you swim at McKinney Falls?
Yes. TPWD says you can swim in Onion Creek, and it strongly suggests every swimmer wear a life jacket. It also warns that the creek can flood after rain, so contact the park for current conditions.
Is McKinney Falls dog friendly?
Yes, on a leash, but TPWD says to keep dogs out of the water. Pets in the water are banned at the Upper and Lower Falls, and pets cannot enter Texas State Park buildings.
Which is better, the Upper or Lower Falls?
TPWD ranks neither one higher, so pick by the walk you want. The Upper Falls sits on the hard-surface Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, and TPWD says the Visitor Center's observation deck gives a great view of it. The Lower Falls is a 0.5-mile walk on the Picnic Trail. The creek crossing there leads to the Homestead and other moderate trails.
How long does it take to hike McKinney Falls?
About 15 minutes to the Lower Falls. TPWD lists the Picnic Trail there at 0.5 mile. The Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail is 2.8 miles and about 1.5 hours. The park has nearly nine miles of trails in all.
Can you camp at McKinney Falls?
Yes. TPWD lists 81 campsites with water and electric hookups, at $20 or $24 a night plus entry. There are also six remodeled cabins, and Cabin 6 is wheelchair-accessible.
What can't you bring to the falls at McKinney Falls?
TPWD bans food, alcohol, glass, coolers, ice chests, thermal bags, speakers, music and hard balls in the Upper and Lower Falls areas. Pets are not allowed in the water there.
Nearby waterfalls
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On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Easy waterfall hikes · Waterfalls you can swim in
Sources
- TPWD: McKinney Falls State Park (page modified Sep 29, 2026)
- TPWD: McKinney Falls State Park alerts, burn ban dated Aug 11, 2026 (read Oct 29, 2026)
- TPWD: McKinney Falls campsites
- TPWD: McKinney Falls trails information
- TPWD: McKinney Falls accessibility information
- Wikipedia: McKinney Falls State Park
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.