WaterfallNear Me

Lower McKinney Falls

Travis County, Texas

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Travis County, Texas
Access status
State park trail from the Lower Falls parking lot; entrance fee
The walk
About half a mile by the shortest route, per Enchanting Texas
Ground & access
Short trail and bare limestone slab. Wet, slippery rock at the creek and the falls.
Enchanting Texas: How to Visit Lower McKinney Falls
Lower McKinney Falls, TX
Lower McKinney Falls, TX
Photo creditPhoto: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lower McKinney Falls is where Onion Creek pours over wide limestone ledges just below its meeting with Williamson Creek in McKinney Falls State Park in Austin. Enter the park from McKinney Falls Parkway, drive past the ranger station and turn right to the Lower McKinney Falls parking lot. Walk the Picnic Trail or the Homestead Trail to the falls; the way crosses a large rock slab that was once part of El Camino Real. To reach the gravel beach at the bottom of the falls, Enchanting Texas says to climb down from behind the telephone pole before the falls. The Homestead, Flint Rock and Williamson Creek Overlook trails start across the creek at the Lower Falls, and crossing means wet feet. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Lower McKinney Falls parking lot in McKinney Falls State Park, then the Picnic Trail or Homestead Trail to the Lower Falls on Onion Creek

Enchanting Texas says the Lower Falls are just a half mile walk by the shortest route from the Lower McKinney Falls parking lot.

Short trail and bare limestone slab. Wet, slippery rock at the creek and the falls.

Where to start

Lower McKinney Falls parking lot: after entering the park at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, drive past the ranger station and turn right.

Timing & water

Onion Creek can flood after rain; Texas Parks and Wildlife advises contacting the park for creek conditions. Coolers, ice chests and hard balls are not allowed in the Upper and Lower Falls areas.

Before you go

Entrance fee: $6 per person per day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under free. The park often reaches capacity and highly recommends day pass reservations.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Texas

Waterfall location

Travis County, Texas.

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