Friends of McKinney First Day Fun Run
Thu, January 01, 2026
Join us for our Friends of McKinney Falls Fun Run and support McKinney Falls State Park!
Our fun run is back! Now’s your chance to support McKinney Falls State Park at this family-friendly event!
The Friends of McKinney Falls Fun Run will raise funds to support the park through trail improvements, providing supplies and snacks for staff appreciation, purchasing equipment, and more.
Join us in helping to support one of the last wild places in Austin and to help us tell the story of a place that’s been visited by people for over 8,000 years!
The Event
Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the fun run starting at 10:00 a.m. Registration includes park entry for the day and a hot chocolate bar at the finish line!
The Route
The race will start and end at the Smith Visitor Center, near Upper Falls. Participants will run or walk on the Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, a paved 2.8-mile loop trail that goes past Upper Falls, the picnic area, the campground, and eventually back to the Smith Visitor Center. Anyone wanting a full 5K and more rugged experience in nature can try the new unpaved extension through a more densely wooded area and cactus-filled meadows.
Event is free with paid entrance fees; Adults: $6, Children 12 and under: Free.
*Parents must accompany all minors.
Want to speed up your entry process? Get your day pass ahead of time online!