McKinney Falls (Upper and Lower): swimming, fee and reservations

McKinney Falls is two falls, Upper and Lower, on Onion Creek inside a state park about 15 minutes from downtown Austin, both a short walk from parking in a park with roughly 9 miles of trail. Entry costs $6 per person 13 and up, and swimming is allowed at both falls when conditions cooperate, though the park can close it after rain or high bacteria counts. Of the stops in our waterfalls in Texas guide, this is the one inside a city; for other states, start from the waterfalls near me map.

No sourced coordinates are on file for this spot yet — see methodology.

Fact box

Field	Detail
Coordinates	Approximate, 30.181°N, 97.722°W; park entrance at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin
Falls	Two, Upper and Lower, both on Onion Creek
Walk to the falls	Short, under 1 mile; about 9 miles of trail in the park overall
Fee	$6 per person, ages 13 and up; free for kids 12 and under
Gate hours	8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Reservations	Recommended, especially for weekends, school breaks and holidays; not required
Swimming	Allowed at both falls when conditions permit; can close after rain or high bacteria counts
Legal status	Public, McKinney Falls State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife)

Getting there and the two falls

McKinney Falls State Park sits on Onion Creek on the southeast side of Austin, about 15 minutes from downtown, with the Lower Falls and Upper Falls each a short walk from parking and roughly 9 miles of trail through the rest of the park. The Lower Falls pool runs shallower and tends to suit younger kids better; the Upper Falls pool is deeper. Entry costs $6 per person 13 and older, free for kids 12 and under, and the gate is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Texas Parks and Wildlife, McKinney Falls State Park). The park's own alerts page is blunt about demand: it strongly encourages buying day passes in advance for weekends, school breaks and holidays, and says passes sell out every weekend and holiday (Texas Parks and Wildlife, McKinney Falls State Park alerts, checked September 2026). The same page listed a burn ban in effect since August 11, 2026.

Can you swim at McKinney Falls?

Swimming is part of the normal visit at both falls, but it isn't guaranteed on any given day. McKinney Falls, like other Hill Country creek parks, can close swimming after heavy rain or when bacteria counts run high, so check the park's alerts page or call the park for current creek conditions before you drive out rather than assuming the water's open. No lifeguard is listed for either pool, so keep an eye on your own group.

Onion Creek runs warm and slow through the summer, the kind of water where the rare Naegleria fowleri amoeba can turn up, and the deeper Upper Falls pool is where heads go under. The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends keeping your head above water in warm freshwater like this, since the organism causes illness only when water goes up the nose (Texas DSHS, PAM FAQs; CDC, preventing Naegleria infection when swimming). The risk is very low in absolute terms, but it costs nothing to hold your nose shut or wear a nose clip whenever your head goes under.

How this guide was researched

This page was compiled from Texas Parks and Wildlife's official pages for McKinney Falls State Park, including its entrance fees and current alerts, and the Texas Department of State Health Services. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees, swimming status and closures are set by the park and can change quickly after rain; verify current conditions before you go. Last checked September 2026.

Before you go

Check the park's alerts page the same day you're planning to go, both for the swimming status and for the burn ban, which rules out campfires. Book a day pass ahead of time if your trip falls on a weekend, school break or holiday; the park is explicit that passes sell out on exactly those days. Texas Parks and Wildlife warns that Onion Creek can flood after rainfall, like every Hill Country creek, so if the water starts rising or turning muddy, get out and away from the bank. The limestone around both falls is slick wherever it's wet, and the ledges above the pools are high enough that a slip matters, so keep kids back from the edge. See our swimming hole safety guide for more on reading depth and current before getting in, and our waterfall safety guide for the wet-rock and edge risks that apply at both falls.

FAQ

Can you swim at McKinney Falls?

Yes, at both the Upper and Lower Falls, when conditions allow. The park can close swimming after heavy rain or high bacteria counts, so check current alerts before you go.

Which McKinney Falls pool is better for kids?

The Lower Falls pool runs shallower and is generally the easier one for younger kids. The Upper Falls pool is deeper.

How much does it cost to visit McKinney Falls?

$6 per person for ages 13 and up; kids 12 and under get in free. Gate hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Do you need a reservation for McKinney Falls?

Not strictly, but the park strongly recommends buying a day pass in advance for weekends, school breaks and holidays, since passes sell out on those days.

How far is McKinney Falls from downtown Austin?

About 15 minutes by car; the park sits on the southeast side of the city, at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway.

We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked September 2026. Read our full methodology.