10 of the Best Water Parks in Texas
With nearly year-round summer weather, Texas water parks offer family-friendly fun in the sun and a handful of indoor water parks open all year. If you’re looking for a way to spend the day having fun splashing around in the Lone Star State, this list of 10 of the best water parks in Texas offers plenty of options for places to stay cool in the summer.
A water park is a great way to beat the heat, and if you’re in Texas, you know how necessary that is. Whether you want to hang out in the kiddie area, float on a tube on a lazy river, or zip down a super-fast slide, this list of the best water parks in Texas has something for you. Texas Water Parks has something for you. And besides, if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Texas, it’s HOT here most of the year, so what better way to spend a hot day than a Texas water park?
You might also like: Best Texas Beaches for Families
10 of the Best Water Parks in Texas
If you want to cool off at a Texas water park, here are 10 to get you started.
1. Epic Waters Grand Prairie
The majority of Epic Waters is indoors and includes a lazy river, a wave pool, six EPIC slides, an activity pool (AKA The Swimming Hole), a dedicated kids area, and best of all, the Flow Rider, which provides endless indoor surfing fun. Epic Waters also has an arcade, gift shop, grill, and full bar. Everything is compact but a lot of the slides run outside the building which saves space inside. There’s also a small outside water area that is open seasonally.
2. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels advertises as “The World’s Best Waterpark.” It’s certainly impressive, lightning fast speed slides for those thrill seekers, lazy and calm rivers, nice lounge pools, and shaded areas to relax. This park is massive and has everything you’d want in a water park, including an onsite resort in case one day just isn’t enough.
Perks: You can bring food in and you don’t have to use the two-day pass on consecutive days.
3. Schlitterbahn Galveston
If you are looking for a really fast slide, try the Screaming Serpents at Schlitterbahn Galveston. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to slide through the bellies of two sea serpents, this is for you. Not looking for thrills? No problem. There’s a fun area for little kids and a lazy river.
4. Aquatica San Antonio
This is SeaWorld’s Water park, so you can combine your visit to the water park with a visit to SeaWorld. While it’s possible to visit Aquatica and Sea World in one day, you’ll run yourself ragged – get the two-day multi-park pass. There are slides for every age and thrill level as well as an add-on stingray encounter. If you’d like to read a more in-depth review of Aquatica, go HERE.
Important to note: Admission to Aquatica isn’t included in your regular Sea World park tickets
5. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, Grapevine
There’s so much to do at this lovely resort near Dallas – the water park is just a small part. This makes a great weekend getaway in the winter – or what passes for winter in Texas, since part of the swim area is inside. Great Wolf Lodge is packed full of activities and it’s a must-visit.
6. great wolf lodge water park, webster
Texas’ newest Great Wolf Lodge is located in Webster, near Houston. There’s an 92,000 square foot indoor water park plus other fun things to do, like minigolf, a ropes course, restaurants, and more.
Read my full review of this newly-opened water park resort here.
7. hurricane harbor, San antonio
Hurricane Harbor is the water park inside Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. There’s a large wave pool shaped like Texas, a lazy river, and a kids’ play area, in addition to some seriously fun thrill rides. The majority of the slides have a height requirement of 48″ but there’s plenty to keep smaller kids occupied. Our favorite is Thunder Rapids Water Coaster, which is part water slide, part roller coaster.
Important to note: Admission to Hurricane Harbor isn’t included in your regular admission ticket, which is a new change for 2025. Season passes and memberships include the water park but if you’re buying a day ticket, read the fine print.
You might also like: Epic Texas Bucket List
8. Beach Park at Isla Blanca, south padre island
True, you have the whole ocean when you visit South Padre Island but Beach Park at Island Blanca is one of this fun Texas city’s most popular attractions for a reason. From indoor surfing to thrilling slides to a kiddie area, everyone will find something to do at Beach Park. There’s also a swim-up bar that is very popular with parents. There are a ton of fun things to do with kids in South Padre Island. I recommend you avoid Spring Break if you are going with your family, as this area is very popular with college kids but most any other time of the year it’s a perfect destination for families traveling.
9. Castaway Cove Water Park, Wichita Falls
Castaway Cove is a lower-key but just as fun as the bigger water parks. It has nine water attractions, a nice lounge pool, and a kiddie area.
10. Splashway Waterpark, Sheridan
Splashway is a very nice and relaxing water park with lots of attractions. Barbeque grills are available to rent and they also offer reasonably priced concessions. You can have your kids play in the kiddie area, play in the wave pool, and lazy river, hop on some water slides, and more. Splashway also offers the opportunity to rent a campsite if your family wants to make a weekend o it.
Honorable Mentions:
Texas is a big place – here are some other places to splash around the state.
Jellystone Park Guadalupe River
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa – Bastrop
Kalahari Indoor Water Park & Resort – Round Rock
Wet N’ Wild Water World – Anthony
Pirates Bay Water Park – Baytown
Bahama Beach Water Park – Dallas
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Did you enjoy my list of the best water parks in Texas? You might also like:
Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando Resort
Best theme park military discounts
Planning a Disney vacation? Read this:
Greetings,
Thank you for including us in your article. We are please to be open and extend you the invitation to visit any time. Just reach out to me privately.
Blessings,
Chuck
Director of PR – SeaWorld and Aquatica
Thanks, Chuck! Hope to see y’all soon!