McKinney Falls State Park Campground Review

Last updated on February 3rd, 2026 at 12:50 pm

McKinney Falls State Park campground is right on the edge of Austin, TX! We stopped at this campground at the end of February and the beginning of March for two reasons. First off, the weather is lovely there during that time of year! Secondly, we were attending SXSW.

Austin holds a special place in our hearts. It’s where Barrett and I first met, where we bought our first home, where we spent many nights playing volleyball and softball with friends, where I produced a documentary, and where I ended up going to grad school. There’s a lot of history in that city for us.

We spent five magical years there, watching Austin transform into a behemoth of a town, and for the most part, we loved every moment of it.

But the city did outgrow what we were looking for in a place. This trip was the first time we had been back in a while, and we were eager to see how much we’d missed and how much we’d changed since living there.

McKinney Falls State Park Campground Description & Atmosphere

McKinney Falls State Park campground is a small, beautiful park tucked within the bustling metropolis of Austin, Texas. I’m ashamed to say that I NEVER explored this park while I was living there. I only visited the headquarters there once for a location scout meeting.

Walking around this park, it became clear to me how much RV life had already changed our priorities simply by being there and enjoying it when we weren’t working or attending the conference.

To us, this campground felt like the best of two very different worlds.

It was a close escape from the city.

We could take evening walks to the waterfalls, have plenty of trails for all our runs and hikes, but also take a short drive into downtown Austin in under 15 minutes!

Our internet and television signals were very strong, yet the campground was tranquil.

Photos of our Site

It was huge!

Campground Activities

We’ve found that the best part of staying at State Parks is the hiking and biking trails right outside your front door.

Honestly, when we find an awesome trail, footsteps away from the camper, it is one of the greatest feelings and truly one of my favorite parts about RV life.

Stats on McKinney Falls State Park Campground

Address	5808 McKinney Falls Parkway Austin, TX 78744 GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 30.180752, Longitude: -97.722007
How Tight are the Spaces, Privacy & Proximity to Neighbors	Big spots with TONs of privacy!
Our Site	Site 3
Atmosphere	Very quiet. Surprisingly quiet for how close to downtown it is.
Electric	Total number of sites: 81 69 – 30/20 amp sites (what we were in) 12 – 50/30/20 amp sites
Water	YES
Sewage	NO. Not at the sites.
Dump Station	YES. One dump station at the entrance.
Cabins	YES, very bare-bones: 6 without restrooms or showers.
Road Noise	None
Online reservations	YES
Recycling	–
Cell/Internet coverage	AT&T and Verizon are both great.
Picnic Table	YES
Fire Ring	YES
In Park Wifi	NO
TV Stations Picked Up	Many
Amount of Hiking	Over 10 miles of hiking trails within the park. Hiking Map
Kayaking	–
Water Access / Swimming	Swimming is allowed in Onion Creek. The park does not have lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
Is anything special on the property	We saw deer and a fox in the campground.

Amenities

The amenities were limited to the basics. But with a big city to explore right outside of the park, this was not a problem for us.

Pool	NO
Hot Tub	NO
Playground	YES
Laundry	NO

Bathrooms

The bathrooms were a bit of a disappointment. It’s not that they were dirty; they were clean. But the shower situation was subpar.

I’m guessing most people shower in their campers here.

Each loop had two shower stalls, but the booths were in a single “zone,” with a single curtain closing off the whole area. That was it for privacy. I guess this could work well for families, but not for many others.

Cleanliness	They were clean.
Fixtures	Old.
Outlets	–
Privacy	I’m going to go with non-existent. One curtain door for both shower stalls.
Water Temperature	Did not stay warm the whole time.
Number of Bathhouses	Two in our loop, only one with showers.
Number of Toilets	I cannot 100% remember, but I’m pretty sure it was three in each bathhouse.
Number of Showers	Two

Local Area & Attractions

So much! Austin, Texas, is at your fingertips!!

Attractions Around Town	Austin, TX!
Proximity to the Closest Big Town	In Austin
Camp Store	Just a few basics at the check-in station.
Convenience Store	A couple of options within 5 miles.
Grocery	HEB: 4.6 miles away
Big Grocery Store	Walmart: 6 miles away
Gas	Many options within 5 miles.

How Much Does It Cost To Camp at McKinney Falls State Park?

50-amp sites are $24/night; 30/20-amp sites are $20/night.

Plus a $6-per-person (ages 13+) daily entrance fee.

If you’re a couple staying there for five days or less and just passing through Texas, you would opt for the $6 per-person daily entrance fee.

If you plan to visit more Texas state parks, or are staying for 6 days or more, it’s best to purchase a $70 annual Texas state park pass to cover your entry fees for your stay. (With the pass, you and your guests gain free entry to over 85 Texas state parks for a year.)

Membership Discounts

Membership Discounts

NO

Overall Rating

4.5/5

Everything was terrific here except for the complete lack of privacy in the bathhouses.