# McKinney Falls State Park Winter Waterfall Trails & Onion Creek > Place to go for families in the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos area (TX). Times are Central Time. - When: Open on its own schedule - Where: McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744 - Ages: All ages (Children 12 and under free) - Price: $6 adult day pass; Free for children 12 and under - Organizer: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Official page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/mckinney-falls-state-park-winter-waterfall-trails-and-onion-creek--listing-1c4268a04f611a2fe22f6f3c ## About Located just 13 miles southeast of downtown Austin, McKinney Falls State Park is a stunning natural oasis featuring limestone ledges and rushing waterfalls along Onion Creek. In winter, cooler temperatures make hiking the 2.8-mile paved Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail and visiting the Upper and Lower Falls comfortable for families with young children. Kids can search for fossils in the exposed limestone creekbed, visit Old Baldy—a 500-year-old bald cypress tree—and earn a Texas Junior Ranger badge. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: The Onion Creek Trail is hard-surfaced asphalt suitable for strollers and bikes; rocky creekbed areas require foot exploration. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Covered picnic pavilions, park benches, and modern restrooms with baby changing counters near the headquarters. • Age Suitability: All ages; kids 12 and under enter free. • Sensory Tips: The soothing roar of falling water and rustling cypress canopies provide a calming outdoor experience. ## Similar picks in Austin - [Texas Outdoor Family Camping Workshop – McKinney Falls (one night)](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/texas-outdoor-family-camping-workshop-mckinney-falls-one-night--listing-29733f85c3750024d667753d) — Nov 14 – Nov 15 · 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM · McKinney Falls State Park · From $75 · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 27. Texas Outdoor Family overnight camping workshop: TPWD provides basic camping gear; families bring sheets, blankets, food and personal items. Activities include tent setup… - [Homeschool: History Hike at Lockhart State Park](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/homeschool-history-hike-at-lockhart-state-park--listing-196e3a9b1f49a5c78c02d45c) — Wed, Nov 11 (+1 more date) · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM · Lockhart State Park · Ages 6–12 · With admission · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 28. Lockhart State Park's homeschool series uses the park as an outdoor classroom for homeschool students in grades 1–5 (ages 6–12). November's topic is local history: a 3/4-mile… - [Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Winter Nature Hikes & Creek Trails](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/wild-basin-wilderness-preserve-winter-nature-hikes-and-creek-trails--listing-645a1bbd2eeb8bdb10c5b641) — Open on its own schedule · Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve protects 227 acres of pristine Texas Hill Country habitat along Bee Creek in West Austin. In winter, cooler weather offers invigorating hiking… - [Mayfield Park & Nature Preserve Winter Peacocks & Historic Lily Ponds](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/mayfield-park-and-nature-preserve-winter-peacocks-and-historic-lily-po--listing-8d00e35700b5332bd05dab5c) — Open on its own schedule · Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve in Central Austin is a beloved historic 21-acre oasis famous for its colorful flock of free-roaming Indian peafowl. In winter, families stroll… - [Emma Long Metropolitan Park Winter Lake Trails & Shoreline Strolls](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/emma-long-metropolitan-park-winter-lake-trails-and-shoreline-strolls--listing-b45e9873931987e8b2fc1f4e) — Open on its own schedule · Emma Long Metropolitan Park · All ages · From $5 · checked Nov 5. Emma Long Metropolitan Park is a sprawling 1,150-acre city park located on the scenic shores of Lake Austin. In the peaceful winter months, the park's sandy beaches and mile-long… - [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Winter Discovery Walks & Native Trails](https://grassyknees.com/austin/activities/lady-bird-johnson-wildflower-center-winter-discovery-walks-and-native--listing-df4d153895985749bada425b) — Open on its own schedule · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center · All ages · From $15 · checked Nov 5. Austin's mild winter climate makes December through February an ideal time to explore the 280-acre Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Winter reveals architectural tree forms… ## More for families - [Things to do with kids in Travis County, TX](https://grassyknees.com/austin/counties/travis-county-tx) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin/counties/travis-county-tx.md) - [Things to do with kids in Austin — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/austin/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin/events/2026-11.md) - [This weekend in Austin](https://grassyknees.com/austin/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Austin](https://grassyknees.com/austin) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/austin.md)