WaterfallNear Me

Upper McKinney Falls

Travis County, Texas

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Travis County, Texas
Access status
State park paved trail from the visitor center lot; entrance fee
The walk
About 1/4 mile, under 10 minutes, per Enchanting Texas
Ground & access
Paved trail to the viewing area. Crossing the creek means wading on slippery rock.
Enchanting Texas: How to Visit Upper McKinney Falls
Upper McKinney Falls, TX
Upper McKinney Falls, TX
Photo creditPhoto: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Upper McKinney Falls is where Onion Creek cascades through channels in a wide bed of limestone and volcanic ash in McKinney Falls State Park in Austin. An easy paved trail, the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, runs from the Smith Visitor Center parking lot to the Upper Falls, and the falls can be seen from the end of the trail. Visitors can also cross the creek to reach the falls; water shoes are needed. Jumping from the rock ledge over the falls has caused serious injuries.

Plan your visit

Smith Visitor Center parking lot, McKinney Falls State Park, paved Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail to Upper Falls

Enchanting Texas gives about 1/4 mile, just under 10 minutes, from the Visitor Center parking lot to Upper Falls on the paved trail.

Paved trail to the viewing area. Crossing the creek means wading on slippery rock.

Where to start

Smith Visitor Center parking lot in McKinney Falls State Park, Austin.

Timing & water

Onion Creek can flood after rain; Texas Parks and Wildlife advises contacting the park for current creek conditions.

Before you go

Entrance fee: $6 per person per day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under free. The park offers day pass reservations online.

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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