Austin's own hidden natural treasure is just 15 minutes east of Downtown. McKinney Falls State Park offers great swimming in natural waters, a lunar landscape where the Tonkawa tribes once lived, and two waterfalls that bring the flows of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek pounding down around you. (Lamentably, the park is suffering from budget cuts and has a little more litter than usual, so bring a trash bag to collect some if you're the helping kind.) McKinney Falls is a sacred place to cleanse your mind and reconnect with what matters.
