McKinney Falls State Park
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McKinney Falls State Park
Swimming hole in Austin, Texas · Waterfall
McKinney Falls delivers something rare: two limestone waterfalls on Onion Creek, with swimming pools below them, inside Austin’s city limits.
Typical season: Late spring to early autumn, ideally when Onion Creek is flowing well after moderate rain.
About McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls delivers something rare: two limestone waterfalls on Onion Creek, with swimming pools below them, inside Austin’s city limits. Short, easy trails lead from the parking areas to both the Upper and Lower Falls, so you can spend a day moving between swims, shaded picnic spots and the park’s 8.9 miles of hiking and biking trails.
The park layers history into the scenery. “Old Baldy,” a bald cypress estimated at more than 500 years old, still stands by the creek, and the ruins of Thomas McKinney’s 1850s homestead and horse-trainer cabin wait along the trails. With 81 campsites and six camper cabins, it works as a weekend base as well as a day trip — but come with a day-pass reservation on weekends, and check the park alerts before planning a Lower Falls swim.
Key facts
Highlights
- Two limestone waterfalls on Onion Creek — the Upper and Lower Falls — inside Austin’s city limits
- “Old Baldy,” a bald cypress estimated at more than 500 years old
- Ruins of Thomas McKinney’s 1850s homestead and horse-trainer cabin
Access & fees
Entry costs $6 per person for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under are free. A reservation is not strictly required, but day-pass reservations are highly recommended — on weekends and holidays the park commonly fills and closes to visitors without one. Both falls are an easy walk from the parking areas. One caution: park alerts in summer 2026 advised that swimming at the Lower Falls was not recommended at times due to water conditions, so check the current alerts on the park page before you set out.
Stay safe
- The park has no lifeguards — swimming is at your own risk
- Limestone around the pools is slick when wet — move carefully and wear shoes with grip
- Check the park’s current alerts before visiting — swimming at the Lower Falls has at times been not recommended due to water conditions
- Creek flow rises after rain — if Onion Creek is running high or discolored, stay out of the water
Map & location
FAQs
How much is entry to McKinney Falls?
$6 per day for each person 13 and older; children 12 and under are free.
Do I need a reservation?
Not required — but day-pass reservations are highly recommended. Closures to visitors without reservations are common on weekends and holidays when the park fills.
Where can I swim at McKinney Falls?
At the pools below the Upper and Lower Falls on Onion Creek. Check current park alerts first — swimming at the Lower Falls has at times been not recommended because of water conditions.
Editorial review & methodology
Every listing is researched from official land-manager sources, including park, county and state pages, and each fact is re-checked against the named source before publication.
Each page shows its last-verified date, so you can see how recently the details were checked.
If you spot something out of date, corrections are welcomed via the contact page, and you can read more in how we verify.
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Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Fee
$6 per day ages 13+; children 12 and under free
Nearest town
Austin
Best season
Late spring to early autumn
GPS
30.180247, -97.721977
Sources & updates
Last verified: 29 October 2026
Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Researched by: Swim Hole Finder team