McKinney Falls State Park is a 744-acre park a few miles South of Austin and North East of
New Braunfels and San Antonio. The park is conveniently located only a couple of miles from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
The park was named for Thomas F. McKinney, the previous
owner of the land. Thomas McKinney settled this land in the 1850's, and was one of the
first settlers in this area. Amenities in McKinney Falls State Park include screened
shelters with beds, campsites with water and electricity, picnic areas, hiking/biking
trails, an interpretive center with and exhibit room and much more. If you come to McKinney
Falls during the spring or early summer you will enjoy the wildflowers blooming across the park.
The Bluebonnets are particularly beautiful in April and early May.
Onion Creek / Falls:
About 1.7 miles of Onion Creek runs through McKinney Falls State Park. Upper and Lower
McKinney Falls are among the many attractions that Onion Creek offers the park's
visitors. These limestone falls are some of the most beautiful falls in Texas. The Upper
and Lower falls are the most beautiful and well known falls in the park, but they are not
the only ones. There are several more that can be viewed throughout the park. These other
falls depend on the rainfall. You may not be able to see some of them if there the water is low.
Onion Creek is also enjoyed by kayakers, rafters, and swimmers. The water is not too rough
so it is not a really challenging float but the scenery makes it worth the trip. Onion
Creek is a great fishing stream. Some of the species that fishermen can expect to
catch from Onion Creek include largemouth and striped bass, trout, several species of
catfish, and many more. Many visitors enjoy the 2.8 mile Onion Creek Trail. This trail
is accessible on foot or on bike. The trail follows the bank of the creek and has some
of the best scenic views in the park. Nearly all of the park's camping areas are
accessible from this trail. camping areas are accessible from this trail.
Wildlife/ Plant life:
Some of the area wildlife that visitors can observe includes white tailed deer, raccoons,
squirrels, and many species of birds. Some of the plant life that can be observed in this
park include bald cypress trees, holly, ash juniper, bluebonnets (Texas State Flower),
and rain lily. There are many other species not listed here that you may see along
the McKinney Falls State Park trails.
Smith Rock Shelter:
The Smith Rock Shelter, located between the upper and lower falls, is a must see while
visiting McKinney Falls State Park. This historic site is a limestone overhang that was
once used as shelter by Native Americans. Although Smith Rock Shelter has an uncertain
history, it is believed to have been used by Native Americans as early as 500 BC.
The most recent Native American tribe believed to have inhabited the shelter is the Tonkawa
tribe. The shelter was formed by the flooding waters of Onion Creek, which eroded the softer
rock below the layer that now overhangs the shelter. The limestone formation is accessible via
the 0.8 mile round-trip Rock shelter Trail in the park. Smith Rock Shelter has been listed on
the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
Thomas McKinney House Ruins:
The Thomas McKinney House Ruins can be seen on the Homestead Hike and Bike Trail. This
2 story stone house was built in the 1850s and was inhabited by until it burned in the
1940s. The house was built with limestone from Onion Creek and cedar and cypress from
the surrounding forest. The house is approximately twenty foot by forty foot and had
three rooms on each of two floors.The Thomas McKinney House has been listed on the
National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
Nearby Attractions
Other Parks in the
Austin
area include Bastrop State Park, Buescher State Park, Padernales Falls State Park, Onion Creek Park, Barton Creek Wilderness Park,
Longhorn Cavern State Park,
and Lockhart State Park. There are also several parks within the city limits of Austin many of which are located around Ladybird Lake, the
most popular being Zilker Park. Zilker Park is a popular Austin area natural spring fed swimming hole. There is also plenty of things to
see and do in the nearby
New Braunfels
and
San Antonio.
