McKinney Falls State Park:
Urban adventure, otherwise underwhelming.

So, once again, not every day can be overwhelmingly good. I visited McKinney Falls State Park hot off of visits to places like Enchanted Rock and Balcones Canyonlands, so maybe I would have been hard-pressed to be wow-ed by the place no matter what it was like.

Down from the Falls — McKinney Falls (the falls themselves, that is).

And in the park’s defense, it was very nice. Plenty of waterholes, waterfalls, historic homesteads, and lots of parking. It seemed like the perfect place for a quick family getaway from the bustle of Austin.

photo IMG_0961_zpsb4d8a75d.jpg — A moments’ rest.

But then perhaps that’s also why I wasn’t crazy about it? People crowded the trails (comparatively, anyways, compared to the days preceding where other parks have been pretty quiet), swimmers and fishermen circled around pretty little ponds, and cars drove past on the highway bordering the park’s boundaries.

Historic Homestead — Historic homestead at McKinney Falls State Park.

It is, in short, nothing more than that quick escape. If you’re looking for a day on the rocks or an outdoorsy place to celebrate the 4th of July, head here. If you’re looking for any sort of nature-immersion or hardcore hiking, keep on driving.