Picturesque trails for hikers and bikers, pristine creeks and cascading falls for swimmers and fishermen just a short drive from the city centre.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love every corner of this beautiful oasis not too far from the city. One of the most popular activities in McKinney Falls State Park is fishing. Join in on the fun and rent a fishing rod before casting your line into Onion Creek. Fishing licences are not required along the shoreline at Onion Creek, but there are daily limits on catches for each fisherman. Have a look at the park website to find out the daily catch limits and read up on some safety tips and instructions for fishing first-timers.
Take a dip in Onion Creek during a hot day, or hop on a bike and follow the trails that wind through the trees. If an afternoon at the park fails to satisfy, consider setting up tent on one of the campsites within the park. There's something to suit every camping style, from unpowered sites, to ones equipped with electricity, water and toilets. Food is not sold within the park, so bring your own meals.
Wander through the upper and lower falls of the park, and admire the small waterfalls and limestone rock features. The flowing waters foster the growth of beautiful cypress trees and bright wildflowers. You will also see a lot of native plants, including sycamore, a variety of oak and cedar trees, and cacti. Look out for “Old Baldy”, one of Texas' oldest bald cypress trees on public land. It is 32 metres tall and is estimated to be more than 500 years old.
Visit the park during spring to see colourful fields of Texas bluebonnet flowers while trying to spot one of the raccoons, armadillos, white-tailed deer and squirrels that call the park home. The park's creek is a great spot to cool down and relax during the sweltering Texas summer.
McKinney Falls State Park is a 20-minute drive from downtown Austin. It's open daily throughout the year. There is a small entry fee, but children 12 and under enter free of charge.
