McKinney Falls State Park
4.6(7,397)4.6 out of 5 stars, 7397 reviews Austin, TX
About McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls State Park offers a unique blend of accessible hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and family-friendly picnic areas, making it a great outdoor destination close to Austin.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Family outings looking for a peaceful nature escapePicnics and casual hikes with childrenOutdoor enthusiasts wanting to explore without strenuous hikesSuitable for children of all ages due to easy trailsRecommended for families with younger kids who can handle simple hikes
Why families love it
- Multiple hiking trails with beautiful views
- Upper and lower falls for swimming
- Shaded areas for comfortable walking
- Picnic tables and restrooms available
- EV charging stations for electric vehicles
- Waterfalls and swimming areas
Insider tips
- Wear waterproof or water-resistant shoes due to muddy areas
- Bring your own supplies as the visitor center is limited
- Visit after heavy rains for the best waterfall experience
Good to know before you go
- Summer months when the falls are busy and potentially crowded
- Visiting during low water levels when lower falls may be dry
- Visitor center is small with limited supplies
- Potential for snakes and critters in the area
- Lower falls may be dry during certain seasons
- Crowds
- Can get busy during summer and holidays, especially around the falls
- Value
- $6 per person entry fee, which is reasonable for a full day of outdoor activities compared to other entertainment options
- Food
- No specific food policies mentioned, but bringing your own food is advisable since the visitor center is limited
- Accessibility
- Some trails may be suitable for strollers, but check specific trail conditions
- Safety
- Awareness of wildlife such as snakes
What parents say
"This is an interesting state park. Its very close to the city, so close in fact I never lost wifi signal throughout a 5 mile hike in the park (which can be both a good thing or a bad thing if you really want to just disconnect for a while). There are several nice hiking trails but none provide any real difficulty or significant elevation gain. The upper and lower falls are both busy in summer and are popular for swimming, but there are snakes and other critters to be aware of. The visitor center is very small and has only a few bare minimums so come prepared with any supplies you may need for "
a week ago
"This spot is amazing. Awesome place to hike and beautiful views. The trail is a 1.5 to 2 out of 5 difficulty. There are plenty of waterfalls to see during the hikes. There fauna and nature is very beautiful. I'd recommend wearing water proof or water resistant shoes there are areas where trail may get wet, muddy, and slippery. Highly recommend this park for a nice hike. There are also EV charging stations. We drove an electric car and this was amazing because it could charge while we hiked. Great park and great park amenities."
a month ago
"Great little State Park! It's probably better to see the falls after some heavy rains. The lower falls were non-existent due to the water level being so low, but the upper falls were pretty. The hiking was very nice - mostly shaded with lots of beautiful views... it helped that it was a nice sunny & windy day! Plenty of picnic tables & restrooms and the visitor center was nice, too with some educational displays."
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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