McKinney Falls: What Lays Beyond Austin

A natural wonder sits just outside of downtown Austin. McKinney Falls State Park is were we camped while visiting the Texas city. McKinney falls turned out to be amazing place itself.

Being able to camp so much along our trip has been great. By camping we have been able to see another side of the areas we visit. Like here in Austin, we got to experience the famous music scene and also got an intimate interaction with a magnificent landscape.

Waking up outside to the sounds of birds and surround be trees is an amazing experience and I often forget how close we are to bustling cities. McKinney Falls State Park was no different.

In prehistoric times, what is now our campground and trails, was an underwater playground for aquatic creatures. Years and years of erosion and a long existing volcano have made the flats plains and Onion Falls what they are today.

Though fossils have been found of ancient reptiles, the evidence of their existence can be seen in the turtles that still embrace the cool water. Nowhere near the size as their ancestors, a variety can be spotted swimming about the pools. The turtles cling to sticks and stand on rocks soaking up the sun.

Brian and I strolled the wonderful limestone and forest area by Onion Falls. The water fell over smooth rocks into a large pool. During the summer people can even swim here. As the water levels rise and fall, small holes become filled with water and become underwater cities filled with plants and fish.

We had a wonderful time exploring beauty of McKinney Falls State Park. The music of Austin was certainly satisfying, and though different, the music of nature was just as spectacular. We will always remember Austin, and broad memories that included, more than just downtown, the waterways that impressed us so much.