Tonkawa Falls Is A Pristine Oasis Hiding In An Unassuming City Park In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published July 05, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Texas boasts plenty of waterfalls that are hiding in plain sight, but others take a bit more effort to discover. Tonkawa Falls is one such natural wonder, tucked away in an unassuming small-town city park. It’s the perfect place to enjoy some fun in the sun, with limestone cliffs for jumping and a large grassy area where families can picnic the day away.
Just 30 minutes outside of Waco lies the small town of Crawford, home to less than 800 people.
It's here where you'll find Tonkawa Falls City Park, a 35-acre wooded area that boasts full-service RV spaces, tent camping, and a clubhouse available for rent.
With meandering trails and plenty of benches and picnic tables where you can sit down and relax, the park is a popular town hangout.
Deep within the densely forested terrain is the park's namesake: a 15-foot waterfall that cascades down a series of limestone cliffs into the crystal-clear pool below.
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An old stone staircase, built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, leads from the parking lot down to the falls.
A rock ledge on the opposite side makes for easy jumping -- just make sure to check the water level beforehand, as it's sometimes too low for taller people to safely take the plunge.
Even when the falls are dried up, the park is still worth visiting.
This means lifejackets are essential, even for strong swimmers. Additionally, the park asks that visitors consume all food and drink in the picnic area instead of bringing it down to the falls in an effort to preserve nature.
Address: 524-550 East 4th Street, Crawford, TX, 76638.
Visit the Tonkawa Falls City Park Facebook page to learn more.
Have you ever been to Tonkawa Falls? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more hidden waterfalls in Texas just waiting to be discovered.
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