McKinney Falls State Park is a 726-acre protected natural area located entirely within the city limits of Austin, Texas, known for its scenic limestone waterfalls along Onion Creek. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in April 2026, confirming that advance online reservations remain highly recommended for securing a day pass, especially on weekends.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm |
| Ticket prices | $6 per adult (13 years and older); Free for children 12 and under |
| Address | 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, TX 78744 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site parking at major trailheads and the Visitor Center |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 to 4 hours |
McKinney Falls State Park opening hours
McKinney Falls State Park is open daily year-round for day use from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Overnight camping is available for those who reserve a campsite or one of the newly remodeled cabins.
The Smith Visitor Center generally operates during standard business hours from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, though this is subject to staff availability. During periods of heavy rainfall, access to the Lower Falls and specific hiking trails may be temporarily restricted due to flash flooding.
McKinney Falls State Park ticket prices
The standard entrance fee for McKinney Falls State Park is $6 per person for adults aged 13 and older. Children aged 12 and under are granted free entry.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website and last updated in April 2026. The park accepts the Texas State Park Pass, which provides 12 months of unlimited entry to more than 80 state parks. Senior citizens (65+) and permanently disabled individuals may be eligible for 50% off entry with a Texas Parklands Passport.
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- 🍸 Discover Austin’s secret bars on speakeasies tour.
- 🏙️ Learn Austin’s fascinating history on a downtown walking tour.
How to get to McKinney Falls State Park
To get to McKinney Falls State Park, visitors must travel roughly 13 miles southeast of downtown Austin. The park is most easily accessed by car via US Highway 183 South or Interstate 35, turning onto McKinney Falls Parkway.
There are no direct CapMetro public bus routes that service the park entrance. Visitors relying on public transport or rideshares should arrange return transport in advance, as mobile reception can be spotty within the park boundaries.
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Parking at McKinney Falls State Park
There is ample, free parking at McKinney Falls State Park included with your paid entrance fee. The park features designated paved lots at the Smith Visitor Center, the Upper Falls, and the Lower Falls.
During peak summer weekends and holidays, these car parks can reach capacity by mid-morning. If the park reaches its vehicle or visitor limit, rangers will close the gates to anyone without a pre-booked reservation.
How long to spend at McKinney Falls State Park
A typical visit to McKinney Falls State Park takes between two and four hours. This provides enough time to view the exhibits in the Visitor Center, walk the hard-surfaced Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, and spend time observing the waterfalls.
If you plan to swim in the creek, set up a picnic, or hike the rugged trails across the water to the historic homestead ruins, you should easily allocate a full morning or afternoon to your visit.
Accessibility at McKinney Falls State Park
Accessibility at McKinney Falls State Park is well-supported at the modern facilities. The Smith Visitor Center is fully accessible, featuring ADA parking, a ramped entrance, and accessible restrooms. The 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail features a hard, improved surface suitable for sturdy pushchairs and some mobility devices.
Uniquely, the park offers all-terrain wheelchairs (including a Grit Freedom Chair and an EcoRover Trackchair) that visitors can borrow free of charge between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm by contacting the park in advance. However, accessing the Homestead, Flint Rock, and Williamson Overlook Trails requires crossing the creek over the Lower Falls limestone ledges, which is strictly inaccessible to wheelchairs.
Inside / what to see at McKinney Falls State Park
Inside McKinney Falls State Park, the primary attractions are the Upper and Lower Falls. Here, Onion Creek cascades over ancient limestone ledges into deep, refreshing pools. When the water flow is safe, these areas are highly popular for swimming, wading, and shoreline fishing (no fishing license is required from the shore in a Texas State Park).
Across the creek at the Lower Falls, hikers can explore the Homestead Trail. This route passes the stone ruins of the 1850s Thomas F. McKinney homestead, as well as a gristmill and an ancient Native American rock shelter utilized for hundreds of years.
The Smith Visitor Center provides interpretive exhibits explaining the area’s natural history, including an interactive display about local bat populations and the importance of preserving dark skies.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Visitor Advice |
| Timing | Make a day-pass reservation online via the TPWD portal days or weeks in advance, as the park routinely sells out on weekends. |
| Crowds | Arrive right at 8:00 am if you want to experience the waterfalls quietly before the summer swimming crowds arrive. |
| Layout | Wear water shoes or sport sandals with good grip, as the limestone rocks around the falls are notoriously slick when wet. |
| Entry process | Have your digital day pass and QR code ready on your phone or printed out before approaching the entrance booth to speed up the queue. |
| On-site logistics | Do not bring food, alcohol, glass containers, coolers, hard balls, or pets into the water at the Upper and Lower Falls; these items are strictly prohibited in the immediate water areas to protect the creek. |
Frequently asked questions about McKinney Falls State Park
| Question | Answer |
| Is McKinney Falls State Park suitable for children? | Yes, the park is excellent for families and offers a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal available at headquarters. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for McKinney Falls State Park? | Yes, advance online reservations are highly recommended, as walk-in entry is frequently denied when the park reaches capacity. |
| Is McKinney Falls State Park open on Sundays? | Yes, the park grounds and visitor facilities are open on Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed at McKinney Falls State Park? | Yes, backpacks are encouraged for hiking, but large coolers and thermal bags are not permitted in the Upper or Lower Falls areas. |
Things to do near McKinney Falls State Park
- Circuit of the Americas (COTA): A premier motorsport facility hosting Formula 1, MotoGP, and major outdoor concerts, located just 15 minutes away.
- Lady Bird Lake: A river-like reservoir running through downtown Austin, famous for kayaking, paddleboarding, and the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
- Texas State Capitol: A historic, monumental building in the heart of downtown Austin offering free guided and self-guided tours of the legislative chambers.
- Zilker Metropolitan Park: A massive 350-acre downtown park home to the natural, spring-fed Barton Springs Pool and the Zilker Botanical Garden.
- Lockhart State Park: Another nearby state park located a 30-minute drive south, featuring a historic 9-hole golf course and swimming pool built by the CCC.
More Texas travel
Other Texas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
- What to know before visiting the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin.
- What are the best stops on the Fort Worth to Austin drive or Dallas to Austin drive?
- What to see at Mount Bonnell in Austin.
- The best three stops on the Austin to Galveston drive and the Dallas to Galveston drive.
