We FINALLY visited a park this year! Between various illness and absolutely cruddy weather we had one set back after another. BUT! We’ve kicked the year off and started with a beautiful park that was on my list for a daytrip type visit. I had tent camped in my early 20’s at McKinney Falls and remember it being a little too close to Austin’s city noise and lights back then. I could only imagine the encroachment was worse 10 years later. Thank goodness for the state park’s system, because what they’re preserving there is fantastic.

We arrived early Sunday morning after Day Light Savings made everyone “lose an hour”, so we had the place to ourselves initially. There are many trails that vary in length and ability to choose from, but we selected an ideal one that traveled along Onion Creek highlighting many points of interest for both history and scenery. Starting out, we enjoyed the view of the upper falls. The first of 2 in the park. The kids were amazed by the water worn rock and immediately began the “can we swim!?” antics.

Next up was a stop at a 500 year old Cypress Tree. It was obvious that this area had been affected by the flooding this past fall by the state of the trails and a shutdown activity center. But this seemed to be the only area still under repair. The kids then had a good time climbing behind a boulder to feel like kings of the mountain.

After the tree, the trail brought us underneath a rock shelter overhang which is not the first the kids have seen, but had them excited nonetheless. What really took us by surprise was the massive limestone plateau the trail opened into. We learned that the El Camino Real crossed the creek in this location and there were ruts in the stone, but we couldn’t locate them. I’ve included a satellite image of the area so y’all can see just how massive it is.

Across the plateau, were the lower falls where we crossed the creek ourselves and carried on to learn more about the history of the area.

The McKinney family moved to this location from Galveston in the 1840’s building the house and a gristmill operated by the creek. They sold to the Smith family in 1885 and they kept the property in their family until donating it to the state in the 1970’s.

Before it was time to retrace our steps back to the car, the kids FINALLY got some water play! No one fully submerged themselves, but the boys waded waist deep attempting to catch some carp and Ashlyn played in some rapids below the pool creating a dam. Nathan, myself and Sally happily watched from a rock seat and snacked. Dry and warm.

I maintain this park was just enough for a daytrip. We heard highway noise every way along our hike and the parking lots were full when we left. If we find ourselves in Austin on an idle, warm Tuesday afternoon with nothing to do–we will certainly pop in again for a swim.

-Lindsay