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McKinney Falls
Overview
McKinney Falls State Park offers a refreshing natural escape located right within the city limits of Austin. It is named after Thomas Freeman McKinney, a prominent figure in Texas history who built a home and mill on these grounds. Today, the park is famous for the cascading waterfalls formed by Onion Creek as it flows over limestone ledges. It serves as a tranquil sanctuary where the sounds of rushing water provide a peaceful backdrop for a relaxing RV getaway.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the southeastern part of the city, the park is remarkably accessible for travelers arriving via major highways. Despite its urban proximity, the park maintains a wild feel with thick groves of cypress, cedar, and oak trees. The landscape is a classic representation of the Texas Hill Country, featuring rocky terrain and diverse wildlife. Its location makes it a prime destination for those who want to experience Austin's culture without sacrificing the quiet of a forested campground.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features 81 campsites that cater specifically to RV travelers, offering 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service along with onsite water. While campers should note the lack of sewer hookups at individual sites, the park provides high-quality communal facilities including:
- Centrally located dump stations for easy waste disposal
- Modern restrooms with hot showers and climate control
- Paved camping pads equipped with picnic tables and fire rings
The sites are generally well-shaded, providing relief from the Texas sun.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Visitors spend much of their time at the Upper and Lower Falls, which are perfect for swimming, sunbathing on the rocks, or fishing. The park also boasts a network of trails, including the popular Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, which offers a hard-surfaced path great for strollers and bicycles. For those venturing outside the gates, the legendary food trucks and live music venues of downtown Austin are just a short drive away, providing a unique mix of outdoor adventure and city fun.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is perfect for weekend warriors and touring RVers who appreciate natural beauty over luxury resort amenities. It is a favorite for families looking for an easy outdoor retreat and photographers chasing the perfect shot of the falls. Because of its convenient location, it is also an excellent choice for travelers attending major Austin events who prefer to sleep in the quiet of the woods rather than a busy urban hotel.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
jerry mowrey
We spent a long weekend at this beautiful park. Hiking and biking trails everywhere. Huge rocks and boulders to climb. Onion Creek is so clear and lovely to enjoy. Met some of the park hosts and learned much of the wonderful hill country. If camping, most sites don't have sewage so expect a line at the dump station. Loved it, plus you're still essentially in Austin, so you can still enjoy the city if you wanted.
Michael Mills
This is such a neat park to visit. Awesome trails to explore and a visitor center that's informative. We enjoyed the upper and lower waterfalls even though the flow was minimal. Walking on the limestone rock was like walking on the moon almost (if I had to guess...haven't made it there yet). The rock overhangs were cool to walk through. Just a beautiful place right close to downtown Austin. Highly recommend a visit to Mckinney Falls!
Allison Bird
I read the reviews for this place before I came, and I know that I am from Utah, which is renowned for its nature and beauty, but this park was not worth the funds to go inside. All of the main attractions were within a five minute walk of the visitor center. The greatest attractions were not that cool. If you were looking for something really outdoorsy this is not your pick. We did get a good laugh from the old baldy tree being the largest in the park though. And to be fair the staff were amazing and beyond friendly.
Lorena Felix
I visited the park in November/2025. It's a beautiful and big place, it was easy to park in front of the path of the first trail. Honestly, I've seen other more beautiful places, it wasn't so cold, the hiking trail is not so difficult but you should wear appropriate shoes. I didn't really like the lack of signs and signs to find the entrance to the trails, it's very confusing. The park is big, and the lack of signs to find the entrance to the trails you need to guess. When I went there, many people were also confused to find the entrance to the trails, which direction to go. And you should be careful, because there are always people with bicycles also doing the trails.
Leah G.
Beautiful park. Hiked the Onion Creek trail and Picnic Trails. Very well maintained trails. Some signage is better than others but it is well marked compared to other parks I’ve visited. Wish I’d had more time here but loved what I did get to explore. Upper Falls didn’t have much “falls” to it but gorgeous nonetheless. Restrooms by playground area is clean and well kept.