McKinney Falls

We spent three nights here in early November 2025 and came back for two more later that month, the last stop on our first big trip in the Brinkley, Colorado to Austin (Episode 4). We were in site 17 in the Little Oak loop the first time and paid $176.00 for five nights, entrance fees included, across both visits. Our full field report is still being written, so here is what to know about the park itself.

The short version

McKinney Falls State Park sits inside Austin's city limits, about 13 miles from the state capitol, and it still feels a long way from downtown. Onion Creek spills over wide limestone ledges at the Upper and Lower Falls, with bald cypress lining the banks.

A little history

• People lived here about 8,750 years ago, and a rock shelter used by early visitors is still on the trail system.
• A section of El Camino Real de los Tejas, the historic road across Texas, crossed what is now the park.
• Thomas F. McKinney, one of Stephen F. Austin's original 300 colonists, built a limestone home, gristmill and dam here in the early 1850s. You can still walk to the ruins.
• The Smith family donated the land to Texas in 1970, and the park opened in 1976.

Trails

About 9 miles in all, including the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail (2.8 miles), the Homestead Trail (2.8 miles), the Flint Rock Loop (2.25 miles) and the Rock Shelter Trail (1 mile).

Camping

• 81 campsites, every one with water and electric, 12 of them with 50-amp service. No sewer hookups, but there is a dump station.
• Two camping areas: Grapevine Loop and Moss Loop.
• Elevation is about 550 feet.

Good to know

• The park often fills up, so reserve campsites and day passes ahead, especially from March through November.
• Onion Creek can flood after heavy rain, and May is usually the wettest month.
• There is an entrance fee on top of camping.