Discover the Natural Wonders of McKinney Falls State Park
Explore McKinney Falls State Park, a stunning natural retreat in Austin, Texas, featuring breathtaking waterfalls, scenic trails, and abundant outdoor activities.
Nestled in the heart of Austin, McKinney Falls State Park is a stunning natural retreat offering picturesque landscapes, scenic waterfalls, and a variety of outdoor activities for tourists to enjoy. With its lush greenery and tranquil atmosphere, this state park is perfect for hiking, picnicking, and simply soaking in the natural beauty of Texas.
A brief summary to McKinney Falls State Park
- 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, Texas, 78744, US
- +1512-243-1643
- Visit website
- Monday 8 am-10 pm
- Tuesday 8 am-10 pm
- Wednesday 8 am-10 pm
- Thursday 8 am-10 pm
- Friday 8 am-10 pm
- Saturday 8 am-10 pm
- Sunday 8 am-10 pm
Local tips
- Visit early in the morning to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning views of the waterfalls and surrounding landscapes.
- Wear comfortable shoes for hiking, as some trails can be rocky and uneven.
- Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the many scenic spots along Onion Creek.
- Check the weather beforehand and plan your visit accordingly, as the trails can become muddy after rain.
Getting There
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Public Bus
From downtown Austin, head to the nearest bus stop for Capital Metro buses. Take the MetroRapid 803 towards the 'North Lamar & 183' station. Ride for about 20-30 minutes until you reach the 'Riverside & I-35' stop. Transfer to the 300 bus route towards 'Cedar Park'. Ride until you reach the 'McKinney Falls Pkwy' stop. From there, it's a short walk north to the entrance of McKinney Falls State Park.
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Bicycle
If you prefer to cycle, start from downtown Austin and head southeast along the Lady Bird Lake Trail. Continue on the trail until you reach the intersection with Riverside Drive. Turn left on Riverside Drive and follow it until you reach the intersection with McKinney Falls Parkway. Turn right onto McKinney Falls Parkway and bike for about 1 mile until you reach the park entrance.
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Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
Open your rideshare app (Uber or Lyft) and set your destination as 'McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744'. If you are starting from a popular area in downtown Austin, this ride will typically take around 15-25 minutes, depending on traffic.
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Walking
Walking from downtown Austin to McKinney Falls State Park is quite a trek, approximately 6 miles. Start by heading southeast on 6th Street until you reach Riverside Drive. Continue east on Riverside Drive until you reach McKinney Falls Parkway, then turn right and follow the road until you reach the park entrance. This journey can take about 2-2.5 hours, so be prepared with water and comfortable shoes.
Discover more about McKinney Falls State Park
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Old Baldy
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Sneed House
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The Plantation at Comal Bluff
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Ragsdale Plaza
6.0 km
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Moon Tower Leland/Eastside Drive
6.9 km
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Historic Montopolis Bridge
7.5 km
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Moreland House
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Bat Sculpture
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Kinsfather Manor
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Congress Avenue Bridge
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Tomb of Stephen F. Austin
9.1 km
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Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo
9.1 km
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Buford Tower & Kitchens Memorial Chimes
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Historic 6th Street Mural
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Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue
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Unmissable attractions to see
Smith Rock Shelter
0.2 km
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McKinney Falls Smith Visitor Center
0.3 km
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Upper McKinney Falls
0.3 km
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Lower McKinney Falls
0.6 km
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McKinney Falls State Park Campsite 018
0.6 km
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McKinney Falls State Park site 10
0.7 km
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Independence Brewing Co.
3.3 km
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Onion Creek Greenbelt
3.4 km
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Onion Creek Metropolitan Park
4.2 km
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Skull Mechanix Brewing
4.6 km
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The Austin Winery
5.2 km
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Richard Moya Park
5.2 km
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Still Austin Whiskey Co.
5.3 km
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St. Elmo Brewing Company
5.3 km
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Bartons Springs
5.4 km
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Essential places to dine
Onion Creek Grille
4.4 km
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The Little Darlin'
5.4 km
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Jalisco's Restaurant & Bar at Austin, TX
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THE GIT OUT BAR AND KITCHEN
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Taste of Ethiopia II
6.1 km
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Poke-Poke
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Habana Restaurant
6.6 km
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WEIRD FOOD
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Magnolia Cafe
7.3 km
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June's
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Launderette
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Vespaio Restaurant
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Enoteca Vespaio
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LENOIR
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Ezov
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
McKinney State Park Campground
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Four Hands Home
4.0 km
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Pasion a Color
5.1 km
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Curia Arcanum's House of Curiosities
5.5 km
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Taste ATX
5.8 km
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Fashion & co.
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Le Rouge Boutique
6.3 km
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South Congress Square
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The Lawn
7.2 km
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Five Below
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Love From Austin mural
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Prima Dora
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Good Company
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Monkey See Monkey DO
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Little Limbo SoCo
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Los Patrones Sports Bar
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Drinks Backyard
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Twin Peaks
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Warehouse Billiard Bar
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The Garden Grille & Bar
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Sagebrush
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The Saxon Pub
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The Beerdrop
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Las Vegas Sports Bar
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The 04 Lounge
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Little Drinks Lounge
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Frazier's Long & Low
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The Far Out Lounge & Stage
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Bender
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Copperhead Club
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
Palazio Gentlemen's Club
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South Congress District
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OK Corral Nightclub
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C-Boy's Heart & Soul
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The Continental Club
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The Continental Gallery
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Cielo Nightclub
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Antone's Nightclub
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Voodoo Room
9.4 km
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Barbarella Austin
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Mala Fama
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Kingdom
9.4 km
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Elysium
9.4 km
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Club Eternal
9.5 km
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