McKinney Falls State Park Camping
in October
🏕️ 81 campsites🚗 15 min from Austin📅 Book in May
Booking McKinney Falls State Park in October
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance at 8 a.m. Central — so for a October trip, the booking window opens in May. Popular weekends can disappear within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already full, set a Camp.land alert and we’ll email you the moment a cancellation opens.
What to Expect in October
Avg temps81° / 56°FDemandHigh
Cool weather and easy access from Austin make fall weekends busy again.
Park Highlights
- ✓Upper and Lower McKinney Falls on Onion Creek
- ✓13 miles from downtown Austin — closest state park to the city
- ✓Swimming and wading in natural limestone pools
- ✓Connects to Austin's Violet Crown Trail network
- ✓Ruins of Thomas McKinney's 1850s homestead
- ✓Great for a quick weekend escape without a long drive
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