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Turn Key · 12-30-2003, 09:27 AM

McKinney Falls State Park, Texas
December, 2003

On our most recent trip to San Antonio, Texas we took an opportunity to have a fast look at McKinney Falls State Park, just outside of Austin, Texas. I truly wish we had had more time to look at this park but we were hard pressed for time and some traffic problems cut into what time we did have for this inspection. That being said, I’m hoping I will be forgiven for a less then thorough review of what seems to be a very fine park.

McKinney Falls State is located 13 miles south of Austin, just west of US 183. The park is accessed by way of McKinney Falls Parkway. The park encompasses 640 acres at the confluence of the Onion and Williamson Creeks. These creeks form the Upper and Lower McKinney Falls. I regret that due to time restraints, I did not get to view the falls. It’s hoped that I can rectify this short coming in the near future!

The main camping facilities are comprised of two loops. The northern loop is made up of Big and Little Oak Camping Areas for a total of 40 sites. The southern loop consists of Grapevine, Moss and Big Cedar Camping Areas with 44 sites. All of these 84 sites are “power & water” with about 20% “pull-thru” and the balance “back-in”. I understand that 10 of these sites are equipped with 50 amp service with the balance being 30 amp. All sites appear to be well laid out with pretty good shade and adequate spacing. We did not have the time to choose any “favorites”. The park is also equipped with 8 “primitive” camp sites situated along Onion Creek. Further, there are 6 screen shelters to rent and a Sponsored Youth Group Area.

All equipment and facilities in the park appear to be fairly new and in good repair. Bathhouses were very clean with a good supply of hot water. Park roads are in very good shape and easy to maneuver.

The park has a fair amount of hike/bike trails for those who like to move around. There a number of places on these trails designated for bird watching, scenic overlooks and historic ruins.

As said earlier, I do not feel this review is very thorough nor do I feel that I have done this park the justice it deserves. I truly wish we had had more time to explore this park. I find it a bit surprising that this park seems so far removed from the urban area that it is so close to. I am hoping to spend more time at this park in the very near future. I hope you have been able to extract some useful information from my ramblings. If I can help in any way, feel free to post, e-mail or PM.
Happy Camping!

12-30-2003, 09:27 AM	#1
Turn Key Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 527	McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Texis McKinney Falls State Park, Texas December, 2003 On our most recent trip to San Antonio, Texas we took an opportunity to have a fast look at McKinney Falls State Park, just outside of Austin, Texas. I truly wish we had had more time to look at this park but we were hard pressed for time and some traffic problems cut into what time we did have for this inspection. That being said, I’m hoping I will be forgiven for a less then thorough review of what seems to be a very fine park. McKinney Falls State is located 13 miles south of Austin, just west of US 183. The park is accessed by way of McKinney Falls Parkway. The park encompasses 640 acres at the confluence of the Onion and Williamson Creeks. These creeks form the Upper and Lower McKinney Falls. I regret that due to time restraints, I did not get to view the falls. It’s hoped that I can rectify this short coming in the near future! The main camping facilities are comprised of two loops. The northern loop is made up of Big and Little Oak Camping Areas for a total of 40 sites. The southern loop consists of Grapevine, Moss and Big Cedar Camping Areas with 44 sites. All of these 84 sites are “power & water” with about 20% “pull-thru” and the balance “back-in”. I understand that 10 of these sites are equipped with 50 amp service with the balance being 30 amp. All sites appear to be well laid out with pretty good shade and adequate spacing. We did not have the time to choose any “favorites”. The park is also equipped with 8 “primitive” camp sites situated along Onion Creek. Further, there are 6 screen shelters to rent and a Sponsored Youth Group Area. All equipment and facilities in the park appear to be fairly new and in good repair. Bathhouses were very clean with a good supply of hot water. Park roads are in very good shape and easy to maneuver. The park has a fair amount of hike/bike trails for those who like to move around. There a number of places on these trails designated for bird watching, scenic overlooks and historic ruins. As said earlier, I do not feel this review is very thorough nor do I feel that I have done this park the justice it deserves. I truly wish we had had more time to explore this park. I find it a bit surprising that this park seems so far removed from the urban area that it is so close to. I am hoping to spend more time at this park in the very near future. I hope you have been able to extract some useful information from my ramblings. If I can help in any way, feel free to post, e-mail or PM. Happy Camping! __________________ Turn Key, DW and Pepsi & Cherry, The Camping Boston Terriers '03 Chevy 2500HD, 4X4, X-Cab, Long Bed '04 K-Z "Durango", 275RK ("Sunday Haus II") Twin Kayaks, "The Ride" by Wilderness Systems North Central Texas, Where The West Begins!