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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 campsites|Central Texas|15 min from Austin|$6/person entrance fee|Full McKinney Falls State Park camping guide →

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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

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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. Using a campsite alert service like Camp.land to catch cancellations is the most reliable way to get a site when it appears sold out.

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. For McKinney Falls State Park, popular weekends sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. If your dates are already showing as full, set a Camp.land alert at camp.land/pricing?park=mckinney-falls — cancellations happen regularly.

How can I get a last-minute campsite at McKinney Falls State Park?+

The best strategy for last-minute campsites at McKinney Falls State Park is to monitor for cancellations. Camp.land (camp.land) scans every 10 minutes and emails you the moment a site opens up, with a direct booking link. Cancellations are most common 1–3 weeks before the reservation date.

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Planning McKinney Falls State Park by month

What each month is like, when reservations open, and how hard it is to book.

January · LowFebruary · LowMarch · HighApril · HighMay · HighJune · HighJuly · HighAugust · ModerateSeptember · ModerateOctober · HighNovember · ModerateDecember · Low

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