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Please visit our featured clients:
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Austin Kayaking Tours - by Live Love Paddle
Come kayak with Live Love Paddle for a variety of Austin Kayaking Tours. We are the only company in Austin that will take you to see the Congress Ave Bats on a kayak! We offer guided tours on local rivers and overnight trips too! Adventure without the stress!
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McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls
Parkway
(512) 243-1643
Reservations: (512) 389-8900
Park
Information: (800) 792-1112
Map to McKinney Falls State Park |
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| McKinney Falls State Park in south Austin, is a 744.4-acre park acquired in 1970 from private donation and
opened to the public in 1976. The headquarters of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
are near this location. Few locals realize it is only a short drive of
13 miles from the capitol building, making it one of Austin's best kept
secrets.
Wildlife to be observed and photographed includes white-tailed
deer, raccoons, armadillos, squirrels, and numerous birds (checklist
available). |
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 The Park's History
The park is named for Thomas F. McKinney, who came to Texas in the early 1820s as one of
Stephen F. Austin's first 300 colonists. Sometime between 1850 and 1852, McKinney moved to
Travis County and his property on Onion Creek, where he became a prominent breeder of race
horses with his own stable and private track. He built his large two-story home, stone
fences, and the first flour mill in the area with slave labor.
Park Activities
Preserved in the park are the ruins of his trainer's cabin and the stabilized ruins of his
own homestead. Camping, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, picnicking, fishing,
and wildlife observation are other activities. Swimming is now allowed in Onion Creek;
call 512/243-1643 for current creek conditions.
 The Park's Facilities
Park facilities include screened shelters with bunk beds (no mattresses); campsites with
water; campsites with water and electricity; walk-in water sites (200 yards in with a
picnic table, a fire ring, a grill, and water in area); picnic sites; an interpretive
hiking trail, approximately 3/4 mile long; 3.5 miles of paved trails; 4 miles of multi-use
trails for hiking and mountain biking; an interpretive center with an exhibit room and
audiovisual room; a sponsored youth group area; and a group camp which includes the
screened shelters located next to the dining hall; the dining hall (capacity 80) may be
rented separately for day use. There is also an amphitheater that seats 50 people. |
Directions
to McKinny Falls State Park: The park is located 13 miles southeast of the State Capitol in
Austin off US Highway 183. It may be easiest to take IH-35 South to
Hwy 71 and proceed east Towards the airport. Take US 183 South to McKinney Falls Parkway.
Head South on McKinney Falls and it will lead to the park entrance.
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