McKinney Falls State Park:  The Perfect daytrip for Austinites
By Sharon Miller

I strolled along one of the many paved trails as the sun filtered through the trees above, listening to birds chirping their melodies and families chattering as they enjoyed their Easter picnic.  It was easy to forget I was only a 15 minute drive from the center of downtown Austin.  Located just 8 miles southeast of the State Capitol, McKinney Falls State Park offers an easy getaway for Austinites.

With just under 7 miles of hike and bike trails, and 120 picnic sites (each with a table and barbecue grill) McKinney Falls State Park makes for the perfect day trip.  The 3 mile paved Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail will lead you along the serene Onion Creek (swimming is prohibited) and take you past one of the main attractions of the park, Upper McKinney Falls.  For the more adventurous, the 3 mile unpaved Homestead Mountain Bike Trail, will lead you past the preserved ruins of Thomas F. McKinney’s homestead and grist mill.  McKinney, who the park is named after, came to Texas in the 1820 as one of Stephen F. Austin’s original 300 colonists.  In the early 1850’s, he settled in Travis County, near Onion Creek, where he built his two-story home, and the first flour mill in the area.

For those who want to stay over night, McKinney Falls State Park boasts 93 campsites, 85 with water and electricity, and 8 creek-side primitive sites with water only.  Bathrooms are located throughout the park, and 2 restrooms with showers are located near the non-primitive campsites.  Although swimming in Onion Creek is not permitted, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and observing wildlife are all activities that can keep you occupied.

Whether you go on a day trip, or an overnight camping trip, McKinney Falls State Park will provide you will a peaceful place to shrug the hustle and bustle of city life off your shoulders.

If You Go

McKinney Falls State Park

5808 McKinney Falls Pwky

Austin, Texas 78744

512-243-1643

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/mckinney/

Day Trip Fees:

$3 Entry fee per person

Overnight Fees:

$14/night non-primitive sites

$10/night primitive sites

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