Summer’s the time to get wet, but that doesn’t mean you have to leg it all the way to the coast. Not when there are other ways to cool off while having a blast.
Hear us out: when you need an adrenaline boost but it’s too hot for rollercoasters, water parks are the way to go. Gravity-defying slides, lazy rivers, wave pools and other attractions are perfect for beating the heat. And most have plenty to offer the little ones, assuming you want to make it a family affair.
Whether you want to stay in town or are looking for a road trip, these 22 Texas water parks are all worth adding to the itinerary.
Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
17000 W I-10, (210) 697-5050, sixflags.com/fiestatexas
For double the fun, you’ll thank yourself for hitting up Fiesta Texas. Have your fun on the regular coasters at night when it’s slightly cooler, but first beat the heat at the newly rebranded Hurricane Harbor. There’s a variety of water rides and attractions, which capture all different vibes, from competitive to tranquil, under the sun. Of course, you can’t forget about the Texas-shaped wave pool, nicknamed the Lone Star Lagoon, or the classic, funnel-shaped Tornado thrill ride. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Six Flags Fiesta TexasSchlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels
400 N. Liberty Ave., New Braunfels, (830) 625-2351, schlitterbahn.com
Perhaps Central Texas’ favorite summer destination, this Schlitterbahn outpost pretty much gives you four water parks in one. This park is located on the Comal River, using the space for tube chutes, rides, tube slides and pools using the spring-fed river water. That means the water is always a cool 72 degrees! There’s plenty of ways to cool down and have fun, so make it a point to explore it all! Credit:Photo via Instagram / bahnnewbraunfelsBeach Park at Isla Blanca
33261 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, (956) 772-7873, beachparktx.com
Formerly Schlitterbahn’s South Padre Island location, even though Beach Park at Isla Blanca has a new name it still offers the same amount of fun. If you like a mixture of natural waters and water park fun, your best bet is to head to this South Padre Island attraction. The beach-inspired park features a river system that connects almost all of the water rides and tube chutes within the park. With plenty of rides, slides and rivers throughout the space, there’s lots of points for you to explore and splash around. Credit:Photo via Instagram / beachparktexasJW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
23808 Resort Pkwy., (210) 276-2500, marriott.com
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has its very own 9-acre water park, the River Bluff Water Experience. The park has a variety of slides, a lazy river, and multiple pools to enjoy, plus the not-so-lazy Pedernales River water ride, which promises 650-feet of swift currents meant to mimic a natural river. Credit: Photo courtesy of JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & SpaLake Travis Waterloo Adventures
14529 Pocohontas Trail, Leander, (512) 614-1979, waterlooadventures.com
Just outside of Austin you’ll find one of the most badass outdoor attractions in the area. This water park is floating — meaning that it’s on water! You’ll get to bounce off the slides and jump around the obstacle course and straight into the water of Lake Travis. What more could you ask for? Credit:Photo via Instagram / waterlooadventuresAquatica’s attractions include Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, the tallest drop slide in Texas and Stingray Falls. Credit:Photo via Instagram / letsbefrankeeHurricane Harbor at Six Flags Over Texas
1800 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, (817) 640-8900, sixflags.com/hurricaneharbortexas
If you’re down for a road trip, the North Texas Six Flags outpost has its own water park. With slides with names like The Black Hole and Geronimo, you know you’re in for some thrills. If you’re not looking for adrenaline pumping action (or need something more kid-friendly), the park also has more relaxed attractions like a lazy river and the Suntan Lagoon million-gallon pool. Credit:Photo via Instagram / sixflagsovertexasSchlitterbahn, Galveston Island
2109 Gene Lucas Blvd., Galveston, schlitterbahn.com
Head east and you’ll be able to explore the Galveston Island outpost from Schlitterbahn. The park features outdoor attractions open seasonally as well as a heated indoor park during cooler months which allows it to remain open year-round. Take advantage of the high-thrill speed slides, raft rides and water coasters. Adults should definitely make a point of visiting the swim-up bar. Credit:Photo via Instagram / bahngalvestonHawaiian Falls, Waco
900 Lake Shore Dr., Waco, (254) 892-0222, hfalls.com
If you find yourself in Waco, know that there’s at least one thing to do: head to Hawaiian Falls. The outpost of this water park chain features a number of ways to get wet — from the Kona Kooler lazy river to slides like the Tsunami and Tempest Tower. Credit:Photo via Instagram / hfallswacoKalahari Resorts, Round Rock
3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock, (512) 651-1000, kalahariresorts.com/texas
Advertised as “America’s largest indoor waterpark,” the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock offers plenty of fun in its 223,000 square foot facility. Attractions include the Barrelling Baboon, Dungeons of Hout Bay and Flowrider, and adults can enjoy the Grotto Swim-Up Bar. Waterpark access is included for all resort guests, but visitors also have the option to snag a day pass. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Kalahari Resorts & ConventionsYogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Hill Country
12915 FM306, Canyon Lake, (830) 256-0088, jellystonehillcountry.com
Yogi Bear fans and anyone who loves outdoor fun will want to make plans to head to this Central Texas gem. You’ll be able to explore the interactive water zone, swimming pool, splash pad and tubing! There’s also non-water activities for your consideration, like laser tag and mini golf, in case you need to spend some time on dry land. Credit:Photo via Instagram / jellystonehcTyphoon Texas Austin
18500 TX-130 Service Road, Pflugerville, (512) 212-7792, typhoontexas.com
Formerly known as Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville, this Central Texas water getaway has all the fun you’re looking for this summer. There’s plenty of water-based attractions here, from Buckaroo Bayou and Tidal Wave Bay to The Snake Pit and The Lazy-T River. Everyone in the family can enjoy age-appropriate attractions that they’ll come to love. Credit:Photo via Instagram / typhoontexasEpic Waters Indoor Waterpark
2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, (972) 337-3131, epicwatersgp.com
This year-round indoor water park in North Texas is worth a road trip. The 80,000-square-foot attraction features thrilling rides like the Texas Twist slide and Yellowjacket Drop, plus more relaxed fun on a lazy river and the kid-friendly Rascal’s Round Up play area. Credit:Photo via Facebook / Epic Waters Indoor WaterparkPalm Beach at Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, (409) 683-4200, moodygardens.com
A theme park and resort all in one, Palm Beach at Moody Gardens has all the water attractions you want to hit up. Explore the tower slides, splash pad, lazy river, wave pool and of course the aquarium adventure for a true water-filled experience. Credit:Photo via Instagram / moodygardensBig Rivers Waterpark
23101 TX-242, New Caney, (832) 509-1556, bigriverswaterpark.com
Over near Houston you’ll find Big Rivers. The park is home to the Houston area’s largest lazy river (appropriately titled the Rio GRAND River), plus water coasters, a wave pool and lots of slides that you can easily spend hours going up and down. Trust us, fun is waiting to be had here. Credit:Photo via Instagram / bigriverswaterparkHurricane Alley Waterpark
702 E. Port Ave., Corpus Christi, (361) 883-9283, hurricanealleycc.com
Head to the coast and you’ll be able to have loads of water fun without actually visiting the beach (if you care about that sort of thing). The park’s wave pool, lazy river, slides and thrill rides will have you forgetting that you’re not actually in the ocean, you’ll be having that much fun. Credit:Photo via Facebook / Hurricane Alley WaterparkPirates Bay Water Park
5300 E Road, Baytown, (281) 422-1150, baytown.org
Pirates Bay grants you access to an abundance of water slides, wave pools, a lazy river and designated areas for the kids to play! Everyone who packs it into the car will be glad they made the trip out to Baytown. Credit:Photo via Instagram / baytowntourismRock’n River Water Park
3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, (512) 218-5540, roundrocktexas.gov
Just up the road in Round Rock you’ll find a family-friendly water park that has fun for everyone. With a lazy river, water playgrounds, slides for days and tipping buckets that douse you in water, it’s hard not to find an attraction that will get your soaked and keep you having fun all day long. Credit:Photo via Facebook / Rock ‘N River WaterparkVolente Beach Resort & Waterpark
16107 Farm to Market Road 2769, Leander, (512) 258-5110, volentebeach.com
Pack up the car and take a day trip to this Central Texas spot. Not only is there a beach area, sand and all, but there are loads of water activities, including the Texas Twister, Gator’s Crossing, the Pirate Ship and lots of tubes! Dry off with a game or two of sand volleyball before you head back home. Credit:Photo via Facebook / The Waterpark at Volente Beach ResortMorgan’s Inspiration Island
5223 David Edwards Dr., (210) 495-5888, morganswonderland.com
As the country’s first inclusive theme park, Morgan’s Wonderland went above and beyond with Morgan’s Inspiration Island, the water park. Built with both fun and accessibility in mind, the park’s attractions include Rainbow Reef, Shipwreck Island and the River Boat Adventure Ride. Credit:Photo via Instagram / morganswonderlandtexasSplashway Waterpark and Campground
5211 Main St., Sheridan, (979) 234-7718, splashway.com
About two hours east of the Alamo City you’ll find this water haven. The family-friendly water park has an abundance of slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and on-site campgrounds if you’re looking to make an overnight trip out of your visit. While the most fun attractions are for bigger kids, teens and adults, little ones have their own designated fun too. Credit:Photo via Instagram / splashwaySummer Fun Water Park
1410 Waco Road, Belton, (254) 939-0366, summerfunwaterpark.com
This Central Texas water park just off I-35 in Belton just south of Temple brings the fun each year. In addition to the usual slides and other watery activities, Summer Fun Water Park hosts Adult Nights from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays throughout the summer, where grown-ups can BYOB to the park and cut loose while enjoying the rides and live music by DJs. Credit:Photo via Instagram / summer.fun.waterpark