Do NOT do this hike in the summer!!
McKinney Falls State Park [Hiking] - 7/13/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Fairly new to Austin my friends and I are discovering new hikes. We have been on two thus far (Barton Springs and Emma Long) which were beautiful, very shady and off leash. I guess, naively, we assumed most trails in Texas were completely canopied; unfortunately not so for Onion Creek Trail at McKinney Falls State Park. Pros: $6 (cash only) entrance to the park + plenty of parking The Onion Creek trail is paved the entire way - would be perfect for cruiser bikes albeit one short steep section (you could easily walk your bike up). the "upper falls" swimming hole is very close to the parking area. Cons: 90% of the trail is unshaded and no trashcans or fountains on the entire 3 mile journey except for in the campground at the very beginning. Burs galore! Not sure if this is an Austin thing in the summer but our group's dogs picked up so many burs along the way (even though I had to end up carrying mine 90% of the way b/c it was too hot for them), they still picked up probably 50 + burs each - staying completely on the trail! WAY TOO HOT to be comfortable or remotely enjoyable in the summer. I strongly recommend staying off this trail if the temps are above 80 degrees. I may try it again in the fall.