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McKinney Falls State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 8,091 Google reviews · Running trail in Austin, Texas · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from McKinney Falls State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular site for camping, hiking, biking & fishing, & for "Old Baldy," a 500+-year-old cypress tree.
What runners say about McKinney Falls State Park
“We stopped for a rest at one of the larger picnic areas along the red trail, and the restroom facilities there were clean and air-conditioned.”
“The park has a lot to offer, the water and rock formations are beautiful, and I stayed there the longest.”
It was just me and my son, so fee was only $6. Absolutely worth the drive from North Austin. Arrived sometime around 11AM I think, and was able to find a parking spot right off the bat. We walked the Onion Creek Trail (red on the map) and it was very nice.
Urban oasis… My husband and I came here on February 1st, 2025. This was our first visit to a Texas state park. The park rangers are very polite and helpful. The park is beautifully maintained. We hiked at Lower Falls and Homestead Loop trail. Just down the boardwalk we saw the Bald Cypress (nicknamed Old Baldy) tree.
I visited the park on Aug 23, 2025. It was one of the hot summer days in Austin, TX. The park has a lot to offer, the water and rock formations are beautiful, and I stayed there the longest. It is one of the most unique sites I have seen. People were swimming as well, and the area was very scenic.
This is such a neat park to visit. Awesome trails to explore and a visitor center that's informative. We enjoyed the upper and lower waterfalls even though the flow was minimal. Walking on the limestone rock was like walking on the moon almost (if I had to guess...haven't made it there yet).
Trail conditions & character
“The park has a lot to offer, the water and rock formations are beautiful, and I stayed there the longest.”
“We stopped for a rest at one of the larger picnic areas along the red trail, and the restroom facilities there were clean and air-conditioned.”
“Almost all of it is paved, but be cautious - it's very rough and rocky in some areas.”
“Almost all of it is paved, but be cautious - it's very rough and rocky in some areas.”
“Just down the boardwalk we saw the Bald Cypress (nicknamed Old Baldy) tree.”
Plan your run at McKinney Falls State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitetpwd.texas.gov
- Phone(512) 243-1643
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–10 PM |
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