McKinney Falls
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
McKinney Falls is a waterfall on Onion Creek in Travis County, Texas. Height and flow season are not on file yet.
Closures and warnings
Onion Creek can flood after rainfall. Check creek conditions with the park before swimming. Pets are not allowed in the water. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Flow note | TPWD: upper and lower falls on Onion Creek; after good rain upstream, water pours over limestone ledges of the lower falls. |
|---|
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Creek pool |
| Entry | Walk in |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Park parking at McKinney Falls State Park near Austin; day passes available online. |
| Fee | $6 adult (13+); children 12 and under free |
| Hours | Open daily; gate 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Day passes available online |
| Managed by | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (McKinney Falls State Park) |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | About nine miles of trails; camping with water and electricity. |
Rules
| Camping | Allowed |
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Common questions
Common questions
Is McKinney Falls open?
Onion Creek can flood after rainfall. Check creek conditions with the park before swimming. Pets are not allowed in the water. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Open daily; gate 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Can you swim at McKinney Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at McKinney Falls.
How do you get to McKinney Falls?
The road in is paved. Parking: Park parking at McKinney Falls State Park near Austin; day passes available online.
Do you need a reservation for McKinney Falls?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Day passes available online.
Is there a fee at McKinney Falls?
The fee is $6 adult (13+); children 12 and under free.
When is McKinney Falls flowing?
TPWD: upper and lower falls on Onion Creek; after good rain upstream, water pours over limestone ledges of the lower falls.
What facilities are at McKinney Falls?
Picnic sites. About nine miles of trails; camping with water and electricity.
Nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
McKinney Falls is inside McKinney Falls State Park .
Sources
2
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName, access.hours, waterfall.flowNote / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed, hazardNote, access.permitRequired / reservationWindow / amenities, rules.camping / access.roadSurface / waterType / entryType)
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls/fees-facilities/entrance-fees (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
More: Texas waterfalls