Lower McKinney Falls is one of our favorite Texas waterfalls near Austin. Located in the McKinney Falls State Park, this waterfall is perfect for swimming, splashing, floating, and jumping in the water. The waterfall is just downstream the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek. As a result, Lower Falls have more water than Upper Falls. They are also wider and more dramatic than the Upper Falls.
You can easily spend an entire afternoon at the falls, hiking in the park or wading in the water. The water is warm and nice in summer and it’s a lovely way to spend the day outdoors in nature. Lower Falls is also the perfect spot to hike to the McKinney Homestead and Gristmill ruin on the Homestead Trail. The park’s bouldering rocks are also easily accessible from here.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Visiting McKinney Falls State Park
Lower McKinney Falls location
You will find both Upper and Lower McKinney Falls within the McKinney Falls State Park. The park is in Austin city limits and just 15 mins from downtown. Naturally the waterfalls are a hit with locals and draw crowds year round. Lower Falls are located near the park entrance and quite easy to visit. They are also shallow compared to Upper Falls and hence good for families with younger kids.
How to access Lower Falls
As soon as you enter the park from McKinney Falls Parkway and drive past the Ranger Station, you can take a right turn towards Lower McKinney Falls Parking Lot. From here you can take either Picnic trail or Homestead Trail to the Lower Falls. It is just a half mile walk by the shortest route. The trail will take you over a gigantic rock slab which was once the route of El Camino Real. You can still see hoof marks on the rock bed.
Also Read: 9 of Our Favorite Hikes at McKinney Falls Park
Things to do at the Lower Falls
The McKinney Falls are a legacy gift of the extinct Pilot Knob Volcano. This volcano was formed over the Upper Cretaceous Period and spread volcanic ash over the hard limestone rock in the area. As everything cooled and the creeks began flowing over the park land, the water eroded the soft volcanic ash and cut channels in the limestone to create the falls.
This fascinating geology of the area has given rise to many interesting features such as rock pools, limestone ledges, waterfall chutes, and even prehistoric marine fossils. You can spot them all as you make your way to the falls.
Swimming and cooling in the water at the Lower Falls is very popular. You will find the area pretty crowded on a hot summer day – however advance day passes restrict the crowds to a manageable number. You can reserve one on the official Texas Parks and Wildlife website – click here. Jumping over the waterfall crest can cause injuries and is not recommended.
To reach the gravel beach area at the bottom of the falls, climb down from behind the telephone pole before the falls. Here you will find enough shade to just relax and enjoy the view, have a picnic meal, or swim in the shallow pool.
Hiking near Lower McKinney Falls
We love crossing the creek and hiking the Homestead Trail to see the park’s historic structures such as Old McKinney Homestead and the Gristmill. These buildings were built by one of Texas’s founding fathers – Thomas McKinney. He was amongst the original 300 colonists that settled Texas. Watch out for algae as you cross the creek – it grows in stagnant water and makes the rocks slippery.
You can also hike the Picnic Trail to see Old Baldy – a 500 year old bald cypress tree and the Prehistoric Rock Shelter which was used by indigenous people several years ago. You can also hike all the way to Upper Falls to enjoy their majestic beauty.
Also Read: How to Visit Upper McKinney Falls in Austin