McKinney Falls State Park RV & Campground Guide
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McKinney Falls State Park is located in Austin, Texas, and covers an area measuring 641 acres. It is named after Thomas F. McKinney, a businessman, racehorse breeder and rancher, who owned and lived on the land in the mid-to-late 19th century. The park was opened to the public on April 15, 1976. Some of its most notable features include the scenic upper and lower falls along Onion Creek, as well as its several designated hiking trails. The park itself is also part of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. Two of the most popular sightseeing opportunities within the state park include the Smith Rock Shelter, a limestone overhang used for shelter by Native Americans for hundreds of years, along with the ruins of McKinney's homestead. Both sites are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Several species of flora and fauna also call the region home, with Bald Cypress, sycamores, pecan trees, prickly pear, and wildflowers such as the Texas Bluebonnet among these. Visitors also frequently spot wildlife such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos, coyote, cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, turtles, and snakes. If you’re planning on visiting McKinney Falls State Park, you’ll certainly want to come prepared. Keep reading to find out more about in-park activities, camping, weather, and more.
Spring 49°F - 86°F
Summer 70°F - 97°F
Fall 47°F - 91°F
Winter 37°F - 66°F
RV Resorts & Campsites in McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls State Park is a popular destination for camping year-round. If glamping it up with a cozy bed, fully-stocked kitchen, and private bathroom is more your style, then we recommend visiting this stunning place in an RV. If you don’t own one, you can easily rent an RV fromRVshare.com to suit your budget and needs. All rentals come with nationwide insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a world-class team dedicated to helping you succeed.
The state park features over 80 campsites, including developed sites with electric and water hookups ranging from $20 - $24 per night. Hike-in sites and cabins are also available. Other amenities at the park include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings with grills. These spaces can fill up quickly, especially during peak season, so we’ve also listed three additional campgrounds within the local area.
Austin Lone Star RV Resort
Just a 15-minute drive away from the state park is theAustin Lone Star RV Resort, which provides over 150 spacious, tree-shaded sites complete with full hookups. With its convenient location, you’ll find it easy to access all of Austin’s most popular tourist destinations from here. Long term stays are available, and sites can fit RVs measuring up to 45 feet.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: heated swimming pool, clubhouse, RV supplies, gift shop / camp store, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, pet area, pavilion, picnic area, playground, fitness center, game room.
La Hacienda RV Resort
La Hacienda RV Resort might be a little further out from the state park, but with its high ratings and popularity among travelers, it’s worth the 45-minute drive. This luxury resort offers a wide range of amenities and planned activities for guests of all ages. Plus, it’s still conveniently located within the capital city of Austin, close to all the excitement.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: swimming pools, hot tub, clubhouse, RV supplies, gift shop / camp store, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, dog park, pavilion, picnic area, playground, fitness center, game room.
Austin East KOA Holiday
Just over 20 minutes’ drive from the state park isAustin East KOA Holiday, which provides a wonderful base for Austin’s year-round roster of festivals and events. As with all KOAs, you can expect plenty of helpful amenities and fun activities to keep the whole family entertained. The maximum pull-thru length is 75 feet.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: heated swimming pool, cable TV, pavilion, dog park, firewood and propane for purchase, 24-hour laundry, playground, recreation room.
What to Do at
McKinney Falls State Park
Inside McKinney Falls State Park
There’s a reason why numerous visitors flock here each year. McKinney Falls State Park gives visitors the chance to take part in fun outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, geocaching, and more.
Hiking : McKinney Falls provides fairly good variety in terms of hiking terrain, including almost 9 miles of trails. Some of the most popular trails include the Onion Creek trail (which is paved), Rock Shelter trail, and Lower Falls and Homestead trail.
Biking : Many of the park’s hiking trails are also available to bikers. The most popular trail for bicycling is the Onion Creek Trail, as it has an easy to navigate, paved surface.
Fishing : You don’t need a license to fish from the shore in a Texas state park. Both Onion and Williamson creeks provide great fishing opportunities for anglers, with the most commonly caught species being sunfish, largemouth bass, and catfish. Other species to look out for include crappie and white bass.
Swimming : Visitors can swim in Onion Creek, however, must be aware that the creek can flood after rainfall. This area is not patrolled by lifeguards, so swimmers should take caution.
Geocaching : Visitors of all ages love the ‘treasure hunt’ that geocaching provides.Geocaches are hidden items that may be camouflaged, but not buried. Visitors simply use a GPS unit or smartphone app to find the coordinates of the nearby geocache, then set out to find it. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery of the state park and have some fun along the way.
How to Get to
McKinney Falls State Park
In Austin, from the intersection of Hwy 71 & 183, take Hwy 183 south approximately 1.7 miles to McKinney Falls Parkway, turn right, go approximately 3 miles to the park entrance on the right.
Entering McKinney Falls State Park
Children 12 years and under are free to enter the park, while adults must pay a daily admission fee of $6.
McKinney Falls State Park Adult Admission Ticket : $6.0
We’re very excited that you’re planning a trip to McKinney Falls State Park. Once you’ve finished exploring all that the park has to offer, there are also some incredible opportunities waiting for you outside of its gates! During or after your stay, we encourage you to tag us in any of your social media posts, or why not share your photos and experience with us at [email protected]? We may even feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About McKinney Falls State Park
The best time of year to visit is during the spring or fall. The weather is milder during these seasons, and the crowds are not as large as they are during the summer months.
The climate at this park is humid subtropical. The average temperature in the park is 68 degrees with summers reaching highs in the 90s. The average rainfall is approximately 40 inches per year.
McKinney Falls State Park has 81 RV camping spots. They feature electrical hookups up to 50 amps and include a metal fire ring, picnic table and water hookups. The campground is child-friendly and ADA-accessible.
Campsites can be at reserved at McKinney Falls State Park online starting at $20 for 30-amp and $25 for 50-amp sites. There is a daily entrance fee per person for each camp night. Annual park passes are available.
Wildlife that can be found in McKinney Falls State Park includes white-tailed deer, armadillos, raccoons, opossums, foxes, and rabbits. There are also a variety of reptiles and amphibians that can be found such as snakes, lizards, turtles, and frogs.
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