McKinney Falls State Park is a state park in Austin, Texas, the United States 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.
During the Cretaceous Period through the early Paleogene Period, much of Texas was covered by a shallow subtropical sea. The calcium carbonate sediments deposited during this period lithified into the limestone rock underneath the park’s soil and were exposed by erosion around the creek bed.
A volcano, now long extinct and called “Pilot Knob,” spewed debris into the surrounding sea. The streams of soft volcanic debris eroded faster than the hard limestone. The removal of the softer layers and undercutting of the limestone by the water led the falls to be formed over millions of years.
In Spanish Texas, McKinney Falls State Park was traversed as part of the El Camino Real de Los Tejas. In 1716 the expedition of Domingo Ramón followed the left bank of Onion Creek along the western edge of the park to its junction with Williamson Creek. Indentations in the rock resulted from extensive use of the area.
What To Do?
Think of the park as Austin’s backyard; we’re just 13 miles from the state capitol. Here you can camp, hike, mountain or road bike, geocache, go bouldering, and picnic. You can also fish and swim in Onion Creek.
Camping
Stay at one of 81 campsites (all with water and electric hookups). Or rent one of our six newly remodeled cabins. We also have a primitive youth camping area, for use by nonprofit-sponsored youth groups.
Hiking and Biking
Hike or bike nearly nine miles of trails. The 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail have a hard surface, good for strollers and road bikes. Take the Rock Shelter Trail (only for hikers) to see where early visitors camped. Bed Bug Exterminator Austin
Ranger Programs
Kids
Want to be a Junior Ranger? Just pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal at the headquarters and complete the tasks to earn badges.
Teachers
Consider bringing your students out for a day field trip using the TEKS-aligned curriculum
Contribute
You can join or donate to the Friends of McKinney Falls State Park. Go to this page for more info https://www.mckinneyfalls.org/
Address: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX
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