Can you swim at McKinney Falls State Park?

Yes, when water conditions allow. The pools at Lower and Upper McKinney Falls are swimmable when water levels are adequate. Check conditions on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website. No lifeguards are on duty.

Does McKinney Falls fill up?

Yes, especially on summer weekends. The park closes to new visitors when capacity is reached, often by 10 AM on Saturdays. Reserve day-use entry online.

How much does McKinney Falls State Park cost?

Day use is $6 per person ages 13+. Kids 12 and under are free. A family of 4 with young kids pays $12. The Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) covers unlimited visits.

Is McKinney Falls stroller-friendly?

Partially. The Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail is paved and stroller-friendly. The trails to the waterfalls and creek areas are rocky and uneven.

McKinney Falls State Park

Name: McKinney Falls State Park
Address: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX, 78744, US
Telephone: (512) 243-1643
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(6,700)

Family of 4

$12-$24 ($6/person ages 13+, free for 12 and under; 2 adults x $6 = $12; Texas State Parks Pass $70/year covers unlimited entry)

Duration

2-4 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 3-17

About

McKinney Falls State Park is a 744-acre natural oasis within Austin city limits, offering families waterfalls, swimming holes, and genuine nature trails without leaving the metro area. Located just 13 miles southeast of downtown, the park centers on Onion Creek and its two named waterfalls.

Lower McKinney Falls is the main attraction: a broad, stepped waterfall where Onion Creek drops over limestone formations into a large pool. Upper McKinney Falls is a narrower cascade in a more wooded setting, reached by a short trail.

The park's trail system includes approximately 8 miles of hiking and biking paths. The Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail is paved and stroller-friendly. The Rock Shelter Interpretive Trail leads to a prehistoric rock shelter. The Homestead Trail passes through 19th-century homestead ruins.

The park reaches capacity on summer weekends. Day-use reservations are available through the Texas Parks & Wildlife website. The entrance fee is $6 per person ages 13 and up, with children 12 and under free.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Limited

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

Not Available

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings for the emptiest trails. Spring (March-May) offers the best waterfall flow and wildflowers. Summer weekends hit capacity -- arrive before 10 AM or risk being turned away.

Wait Times

No wait during weekday visits. Summer weekends: the park reaches capacity by mid-morning and closes entry until visitors leave.

Nearby Food

No food inside the park. Bring everything. Nearby: Rudy's BBQ (10 min), Whataburger (10 min). South Austin restaurants are 10-15 min drive.

Why Kids Love It

McKinney Falls is an actual state park inside Austin city limits with two waterfalls, swimming holes, hiking trails, and creek-stomping that city kids rarely get. Upper and Lower McKinney Falls cascade over limestone ledges into swimmable pools where kids can wade, splash, and swim.

The Onion Creek trail system offers easy hiking through mixed terrain. Kids spot deer, armadillos, turtles, and birds along the creek. The trails range from flat, paved paths to rocky creek crossings that feel like a real adventure.

For Austin families, McKinney Falls is the antidote to screen time. A real outdoor space where kids climb rocks, skip stones, wade in creeks, and come home exhausted and dirty. Remarkably close to the city but feels like a Hill Country escape.

Pro Tips from Parents

Lower McKinney Falls is the more dramatic waterfall and easier to access -- start there
Water levels vary dramatically with rainfall -- after heavy rain the falls are spectacular but swimming may be unsafe
Reserve day-use entry online for summer weekends -- the park closes when capacity is reached
The Onion Creek hike-and-bike trail is paved and stroller-friendly; the creek trail is rocky and better for kids on foot
Bring water shoes for creek wading -- the limestone bottom is slippery and sharp in spots