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Stacy
Trip Date 07/30/2022 Posted On 11/29/2022 14:05:29 |
Camping | Hiking | Biking | Swimming | Floating | Fishing | Texas | Austin | McKinney Falls State Park | Texas State Parks | Campgrounds | Onion Creek | Williamson Creek | Central Texas Swimming Holes | Waterfalls | Upper Falls | Lower Falls | Limestone | Nature | History
We are slowly making our way to each of the 88 Texas State Parks. Our most recent stay, at McKinney Falls State Park, was actually our third visit to the park that is located right inside our home city of Austin. Those who have visited the park are most likely to remark about the Upper Falls or Lower Falls (or both). Although the two waterfalls are not the most majestic, they are memorable because of the access to the two popular Central Texas Swimming Holes that they provide.
The park is home to parts of both Onion Creek and Williamson Creek, but it's not just water activities that lure visitors. Learning some of the park's history and seeing nature in action help to make any visit unforgettable. Depending on the season, visitors to McKinney Falls can be found camping, hiking (on traditional trails or across limestone cliffs), biking, swimming, floating and fishing. Like most state park campgrounds, campsites are spacious and surrounded by trees.
Here's a few "WE Did It!" Tips:
- Whether camping or just visiting for the day, each guest over the age of 12 is required to pay an entrance fee of $6.00 per day;
- Campsites and day passes can both be reserved in advance; Reservations are highly recommended for visits during holidays, school breaks and weekends;
- Any visitor to a Texas State Park should spend a few minutes determining whether they would benefit by purchasing a Texas State Parks Pass;
- Check the McKinney Falls State Park website for upcoming ranger programs as well as important alerts; and
- While leashed pets are welcome in the park, no pets are allowed in the water at either the Upper Falls or Lower Falls.
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A Little History of McKinney Falls State Park
The park's namesake, Thomas Freeman McKinney, was a member of the First Texas Legislature. McKinney-Williams, a partnership between McKinney and Samuel May Williams, is given at least partial credit for the success of Texas' fight for independence. It was their firm that provided the Texas army with a significant number of men as well as money and supplies.In the early 1850's, McKinney began developing his ranch on land along Onion Creek. His home, gristmill and dam (plus a horse trainer's cabin and racetrack for thoroughbred racehorses) sat on the land that today is known as McKinney Falls State Park.
After his death in 1873, his wife Anna McKinney sold the property to James Woods Smith. In 1973, after 100 years and several generations of the Smith family owning and farming the land, the property was donated to the State of Texas. Three years later, in 1976, McKinney Falls State Park opened to the public.
Based on archaeological findings, it is believed that Native Americans lived on this same land thousands of years before McKinney's time. A part of the El Camino Real de los Tejas ran through today's park land as well. (It was this route that was used for travel starting in the latter 1600s between today's Mexico City and the Texas-Louisiana border.)
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Exploring McKinney Falls State Park
Depending on the season and the water levels, what visitors to McKinney Falls State Park can expect to see and do may be vastly different. Barring anything unusual, the park is open for hiking and biking, camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, floating and geocaching. More extreme athletes can even be found climbing (or bouldering) inside the park.The park is also a favorite for lovers of flora and fauna. Wildlife enthusiasts enjoy bird watching or spotting armadillos, deer, raccoons and more. Bald Cypress Trees are found along the park's two primary water sources - Onion Creek and Williamson Creek. Spring temperatures usually bring brightly colored wild flowers including bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas.
It's the amount of rain that has recently fallen inside the park that causes the biggest changes to what park visitors can see and do. During long dry spells, the "falls" become "trickles" (or even less)! On the opposite end of the spectrum, following high rainfall both the Upper Falls and Lower Falls actually live up to their names. The downside of heavy rainfall can mean dangerously high water levels and strong currents in the creeks and swimming holes. This often causes closure of trails within the park due to flooding and unsafe swimming conditions. (Just a few short years ago, it was a very unusual snow and ice storm that was the reason for the entire park being closed for a few days.)
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While the park's natural beauty is the biggest draw for visitors, man-made buildings also bring some appeal. The ruins of structures built over a hundred years ago are found along the park's trail network. The recently reopened (following flooding in 2013 and 2015) Smith Visitor Center is home to interpretive exhibits and an observation deck overlooking the Upper Falls.
In an effort to help keep Onion Creek clean, NONE of the following items can be brought into the areas of the Upper Falls or Lower Falls
- food or alcohol of any kind;
- coolers, ice chests, thermal bags or items made of glass;
- frisbees or hard balls of any kind including footballs or soccer balls; and
- music (or speakers of any kind).
Reminder: Although leashed pets are welcome in the park, no pets are allowed in the water at either the Upper Falls or Lower Falls.
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Lower Falls
The largest swimming area inside McKinney Falls State Park is near the Lower Falls. It's also more shallow than the Upper Falls, making the Lower Falls safer for families who are visiting the park with kids.It's water from Onion Creek that flows over a limestone "shelf" forming the brink (or top) of the Lower Falls. From there, the water "falls" into the swimming hole. When the falls are at their best, the Lower Falls are typically the widest but shortest within the park. During the warmer months, the "pool" is filled with the squeals and laughter of people of all ages cooling off. During the peace and quiet that the cooler months bring, listening to the sound of the dropping falls can be just as appealing, albeit in a quite different way.
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Upper Falls
A visit to either the Upper or Lower Falls can include water from the nearby creek flowing over limestone into a swimming hole, but everyone has their favorite. In its full glory, the Upper Falls is the tallest yet narrowest of the two waterfalls. The water below the Upper Falls is deeper, so it can be more fun to float rather than to swim or wade. Because of the depth, you'll often see more daring visitors jump from atop the limestone cliffs into the water.During our most recent visit, we saw more turtles than people in the water below the Upper Falls. We watched turtles swimming around, bobbing up and down or resting on some small tree limbs in the water. We even saw turtles sneaking in some time on the "boulder" that sits in the water - but only when it was vacant of people!
There's actually a small sandy area at water level - perfect for those wanting to watch but not participate in any water activities. It's also the easiest spot for entering the water.
Getting to the sandy beach does require a relatively short (but not well-marked) downhill hike over limestone and between brush. The limestone near the Upper Falls comes in all shapes and sizes - some pieces are very smooth and others jaggedy. Some even have holes that have become home to small water pools or plant and animal life. Crossing the limestone actually includes walking over the ledge that creates the brink of the waterfall, where you will likely see "jumpers" nearby.
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Hiking at McKinney Falls State Park
Ranging from 0.5 miles to 3.1 miles in length, McKinney Falls State Park has just under nine miles of trails. In terms of difficulty, the seven primary trails are rated as either easy (3 trails) or moderate (4). Aside from two hiking only trails (the 0.5 mile Picnic Trail and 0.6 mile Rock Shelter Trail), all trails are open to both hikers and bikers.Trail surfaces within the park range from primitive to improved. Reaching the Lower Falls includes a walk across exposed volcanic rock with deep holes. Some people believe that a stroll across the limestone may even be comparable to walking on the moon!
Accessing the three longer trails requires crossing over one of the creeks, so make sure that you are careful (and prepared for what crossing flowing water might mean)! Depending on recent rainfall and creek water levels, that could mean jumping from one rock to another without actually submerging a foot or shoe inside the water. It could also mean wading in the water and getting more than just your shoes soaking wet! Either way, limestone that is frequently subjected to flowing water can become smooth and slick, and may even become a home for algae making it even more slippery. Don't take the risk of crossing the creek unless you are very sure footed.
In addition to the Upper Falls and Lower Falls, the trails pass by a number of other points of interest within the state park. There's a part of the El Camino Real, a cypress tree nicknamed Old Baldy that is estimated to be over 550 years old and remnants from the McKinney and Smith families, the previous land owners of what is today's state park.
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The short distance on the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail between our campsite and the Upper Falls was the extent of our hiking during our most recent stay at the park. Not surprisingly, we did more hiking during our fall 2013 visit than during our recent summer visit. It was on a combination of the Homestead Trail and the Service Road Trail where we were able to see the remnants of the McKinney Homestead. After serving as a home for over 90 years, it was never rebuilt after catching fire.
The Gristmill Spur Trail, not far from the homestead, also brought us to the remains of the gristmill. Using the power of the water flowing in Onion Creek, the gristmill was used to grind grain into flour. (It is thought that the creek flow may also have been used as a power supply for timber cutting.) It was an 1869 flood that destroyed the gristmill.
Campground Amenities at McKinney Falls State Park
Of the 81 campsites, the vast majority (69) are priced at $20.00 per night and have 30-amp electric and water onsite. The remaining 12 sites ($24.00 nightly) have 50-amp electric and water. The park also has an amphitheater as well as a group dining hall, both reservable for gatherings.The single dump station in the park is located on the main road and is convenient to both camping loops. Dumpsters are found throughout the park, and the bath houses in the campground loops were clean and typical of campground bath houses. Surprisingly, the restroom nearest the Upper Falls did not have a shower. The women's restroom was well-maintained and reasonably clean, however the men's was functional, but a little worn out.
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It's not just hiking or biking on trails and floating, swimming or fishing in the creeks - the park also has a playground to keep the younger campers entertained. Although there was a burn ban in effect during our most recent stay, fire wood was available for sale at automated stations within the campground loops. A store located in the headquarter's building offers souvenirs / gifts as well as limited camping supplies.
In addition to 81 campsites, McKinney Falls State Park has a primitive camp for youth groups and 6 cabins. A two-night minimum is required for any cabin stay which includes a Friday and/or a Saturday. A three-night minimum is required for stays in the cabins over holiday and special event weekends.
Campsites at McKinney Falls State Park
In the past ten years, we have camped at two different campsites at McKinney Falls - both 30-amp electric sites with water in the Big Oak Camping Area. Although our first stay in October 2013 was before we started our blog and developed our campground rating system, a look back at some of our photos helped to jog our memory about the basics of Site 7. For our late July 2022 stay in Site 32, we used our standard rating system.Parking pads at both sites were paved, and each had a tent pad, fire pit and uncovered wooden picnic table. By the time of our most recent stay, all sites have lantern hooks. Both had the advantage of tall trees shading at least a part of the site. Hammocks are allowed at McKinney Falls State Park provided that they comply with all rules and conditions to prevent any tree damage. Only a 1-night minimum is required for camping, and reservations (including site selection) can now be completed online.
Back-in parking at site 32 was reasonably easy, and the paved parking pad was relatively level. Our phone and data service with both Verizon and T-Mobile was good and we had a nice selection of broadcast television channels.
Our two-night 2022 summer stay came at a total cost of $30.00 as we were able to take advantage of our Texas State Parks Pass. Holders of the annual pass receive waived daily entry fees ($6.00 per person per day without pass) plus a 50% discount on the fee for the second night of camping.
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Favorite Campsites at McKinney Falls State Park
During our most recent stay at the park, we did squeeze in some time to walk around the Big Oak and Big Cedar camping areas, the park's two biggest campground loops. Due to the extreme outdoor temperatures, we also searched for our favorite sites in two of the three smaller camping areas - Little Oak and Grapevine Loop. (It was sites 62 through 66 in the Moss Loop that we didn't take the time to evaluate.)The one thing that we did notice during our campground walk was that, no matter where in the park they were located, the pull-through sites at McKinney Falls did not have as much privacy as the back-in sites.
Big Oak and Little Oak Camping Areas
It is the Big Oak Camping Area that is nearest to the park's Upper Falls. For anyone whose main purpose for traveling to McKinney Falls is to enjoy the swimming hole, this is the loop for you - especially if you prefer to walk from your campsite to the falls:- Back-in sites 13, 16, 26 and 32 (our most recent site) are all fairly level and very private; and
- While also reasonably level, back-in site 24 is not quite as private as the above 4 sites as the trees are not as close together.
Big Cedar and Grapevine Loop Camping Areas
There is a "shortcut" which connects from site 43 to the path which leads to the Upper Falls, however the site does not make our favorites list. Of course, you would hope that fellow campers would not walk through an occupied site to take advantage of the shortcut, our experience is that everyone doesn't follow camping courtesies. If all sites in the Big and Little Oak Camping Areas were reserved, our top picks include:- Back-in sites 41, 42 and 48 are level and private plus they each have a larger patch of grass at the rear of the site which would be nice for kids or dogs;
- While back-in sites 44 and 53 don't have quite as much "green space", they are both still fairly level and do offer some privacy.
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Guadalupe River State Park
Be sure to also check out our recent article, Camping on the Guadalupe. Guadalupe River State Park, also located in Central Texas, is a favorite among campers who enjoy the water. Just like at McKinney Falls State Park, those with a Texas State Parks Pass can save money on daily entrance fees as well as their second night of camping.Favorite Texas State Parks
What is your favorite state park in Texas?|
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