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McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls is the park that Austin locals are quietly protective of. Sitting just 13 miles from the state capitol, it feels like you've driven an hour into the countryside. Onion Creek cuts through exposed limestone here, creating two beautiful waterfalls — Upper and Lower McKinney Falls — where you can swim, wade, or just sit on the rocks and forget you're inside city limits. The camping is solid, the trails connect to the city's greenway network, and you can grab tacos on the way home.
81 campsitesCentral Texas15 min from Austin$6/person entrance feeFull McKinney Falls State Park camping guide →
Short answer
McKinney Falls State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Austin are bookable today.
Getting a site at McKinney Falls State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and McKinney Falls State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near McKinney Falls State Park
Rustic cabins and stone homes await near Onion Creek's cool limestone pools.
See cabins & rentals near Austin →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$24/night*12 sites
Water, 50/30/20-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$20/night*69 sites
Water, 30/20-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Cabin
$86/night*6 sites
A/C with heater, four twin beds, ceiling fans, microwave, mini-fridge, sink with prep area; no linens; restroom-shower house is a short walk away
McKinney Falls State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Rustic cabins and stone homes await near Onion Creek's cool limestone pools.
See cabins & rentals near McKinney Falls State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to McKinney Falls State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the standard water + electric sites — they're the bulk of the park and put you close to restrooms with showers and the Lower Falls
For Privacy:Cabins or sites toward the edges of the loops give you the most breathing room; the park is compact, so true seclusion is limited
For RVs:Reserve the premium 50/30/20-amp sites first — they handle bigger rigs and only 12 exist, so they go fastest
For Couples:Any of the water + electric sites works for a quick getaway; if you want a roof, the six remodeled cabins are a comfortable upgrade
When to Go
Year-round thanks to Austin's mild winters. Spring and fall weekends book up 3-5 months out. Summer is hot but swimming in the creek makes up for it.
Tips
- →This park fills up fast because it's so close to Austin — book as early as the window allows
- →Onion Creek floods after heavy rains and the falls area will close — check conditions first
- →The Homestead Trail is an easy 2.8-mile loop perfect for a morning jog or casual hike
- →You can bike from the park into downtown Austin via the Violet Crown Trail
- →Mosquitoes can be fierce near the creek in summer — bring repellent
Highlights
Upper and Lower McKinney Falls on Onion Creek13 miles from downtown Austin — closest state park to the citySwimming and wading in natural limestone poolsConnects to Austin's Violet Crown Trail networkRuins of Thomas McKinney's 1850s homesteadGreat for a quick weekend escape without a long drive
McKinney Falls State Park — Frequently Asked
Is McKinney Falls State Park hard to book?+
Yes. McKinney Falls State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Year-round thanks to Austin's mild winters. Spring and fall weekends book up 3-5 months out. Summer is hot but swimming in the creek makes up for it. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does McKinney Falls State Park have?+
McKinney Falls State Park has 81 campsites, including Water + Electric, Cabin. Sites start at $20/night plus a $6/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at McKinney Falls State Park?+
The entrance fee at McKinney Falls State Park is $6 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book McKinney Falls State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For McKinney Falls State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Austin is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at McKinney Falls State Park?+
Cancellations at McKinney Falls State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Austin are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near McKinney Falls State Park
Planning McKinney Falls State Park by month
What each month is like, when reservations open, and how hard it is to book.
Cabins & vacation rentals near McKinney Falls State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Austin are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Austin →