A waterpark is a great place to go if you want a fun day out with your family. You can splash around, swim, take on the biggest water slides or relax in the lazy river. If you have a large group with people of different ages then there is always something for everyone, so nobody will feel left out of the fun.
There is an abundance of great water parks in Texas. Whether you live in the state and are looking for your next day out or you are just visiting and want to find something fun to do, there are lots of amazing water parks to choose from.
We have put together a list of the best water parks in Texas to help you decide where to go.
Beach Park – Isla Blanca – South Padre Island
This waterpark (formerly known as Schlitterbahn Beach Park) in the South Padre Island area has 25 acres of family friendly fun for you to explore and enjoy. If you are travelling from further away then you can stay at the park resort which is right by some of the best beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
The park is indoors so you can have plenty of fun no matter what the weather is like. With 11 different attractions, 13 exciting waterslides, and a beachfront area to relax and unwind it has everything you need for a great day out.
You can have a go at catching a wave on the high thrill surf rider, or launch down the agua blanca twisting tube. There is even an uphill water caster! After some thrilling experiences you can have a chill in the swim up bar with a heated pool. You can also reserve your own cabana or palapa to have a private space to relax.
There is a map of the park and the rides are rated based on thrill level so you can decide what you are in the mood for. Make sure you check the height restrictions of each attraction.
You can bring your own picnic to enjoy in one of the designated areas, or purchase food from one of the many outlets- the shrimp restaurant, the BBQ Haus, the Beachcomber Cafe and many more.
Schlitterbahn WaterPark – Galveston
The Schlitterbahn water parks are well known across the United States and this one in Galveston is an excellent place for a day out. There are lots of slides, twisty tubes, a wave machine to try out boogie boarding, a lazy river, and several swim up bars.
There are also some great areas for children to play safety, like Crystal Cove and the Treasure Island Kids Pool.
All of that splashing around is bound to work up an appetite. There are plenty of places for you to grab a bite to eat- whether you want burgers, BBQ food, pizza, ice cream or waffles, there will be something for everyone to tuck in to.
If you want something to take home with you to remember your trip then you can get a souvenir photograph, or treat yourself to something from one of the gift shops situated around the park.
Great Wolf Lodge Resort – Grapevine
This indoor waterpark is the perfect place to relax and let off some steam with the family. If you want to get even more time to explore and have fun then you can stay overnight, with access to the park from 1pm on your day arrival to closing time on your day of departure.
The park is open from 9am to 9pm every day so even if you are just looking for somewhere to go on a day trip this park is ideal.
For the younger members of the family there is a four story water tree house with slides and toys to play with. The wave pool is suitable for visitors of all ages and after splashing around in the water you can all hop on an inflatable ring and flat down the lazy river.
There are also some more thrilling attractions like water slides, tandem tube rides, and the ‘Howling Tornado’ which is six stories of swirling splashing fun. Some slides can be enjoyed as a group and others are best to go down on your own, so there is a good variety. You can even play water basketball in one of the many swimming pools.
There are also a range of other attractions on the resort which you can gain access to with certain levels of entry passes. There is a great arcade filled with fun games, an indoor ropes course and several quest-style adventures for the family to complete which take them all around the resort.
There are multiple shops on site including a ‘build-a-bear workshop’, a gift shop, a candy store, and a shop with swimming essentials and accessories.
When it comes to food, there are two options you can choose from without even having to dry off and leave the water park – The Watering Hole and Buckets Incredible Craveables. The resort also has other dining options for once you are finished at the park like a Starbucks, a dessert cafe and several restaurants.
WaterPark At The Villages – Flint
This waterpark is part of a Holiday Inn resort, but you can visit just for the day without needing to be a guest of the hotel. At this waterpark you will be able to experience 2 exciting tube slides, 2 thrilling body slides, a wave pool and a lazy river. For the younger children there are also 3 smaller slides and a children’s playscape.
It is worth pointing out that you are not allowed to bring your own food or snack into this water park, but there are facilities on site where you can get things to eat and drink during the day.
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark – Grand Prairie
Epic Waters is the largest indoor waterpark in the North of Texas with a great range of slides, rides and pools. The wave pool recreates the gentle bob of swimming in the ocean and the swimming hole is a fun pool to cool off and play some water basketball.
You can have a go at surfing and boogie boarding on the flowrider attraction, or speed down the epic Texas Twist water slide. These are just a few of the amazing activities on offer at this water park.
Once you have dried off you can head inside to play the games inside the arcade. The arcade is 400 square feet of fun and excitement with games that are suitable for all ages. You can also browse the gift shop for an item to remember your special day at the waterpark with a great choice of t-shirts, toys and merchandise.
When you are ready to wind down and relax you can rent your own cabana to enjoy some privacy. Some of them even have televisions and you can upgrade to include drinks and snacks. There is also a bar with wine, beer and specialty cocktails for the adults to enjoy.
If you want to grab a bigger meal then head over to the Hungry Wave Cafe where you can get pizzas, burgers, fries, chicken wraps, fish tacos, salads, pretzels, funnel cake, churros, cookies and much more. No outside food is allowed at the water park but you certainly won’t be going hungry with all of that food on offer!
There are also stalls selling ice cream and snow cones dotted around the waterpark.
Lubbock Water Rampage
This pirate themed seasonal water park usually opens in May and offers some great family friendly fun. You can relax in the lazy river, bob around in the wave pool or shoot down one of the exciting water slides.
There is also a pirate ship for the children and Captain Morgan’s rum point which the adults will enjoy. When you get hungry you can order something tasty from the snack shack.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbour – Arlington
This water park is full of thrilling rides to really get your heart racing- a six story water slide, a water coaster, a tornado slide, a zero gravity slide, a 68 foot enclosed bowl shaped tunnel slide and many more! There are also some great family rides like the lazy river and the raging rapids.
You can enjoy swimming in the wave pool or have a go at surfing on the surf rider attraction. Kids will love playing on splash water beach and if you want to relax then head to suntan lagoon. There is also a selection of smaller rides for the younger children to enjoy.
When you and your family are ready to refuel there are multiple snack shacks dotted around the waterpark as well as a smokehouse, a dessert bar, a chicken shack, a pizzeria, and many other places to eat.
Whether you want burgers, chicken strips, sandwiches, nachos, salads, pizzas, ice cream or funnel cakes you will be able to find it here! There is also a gift shop by the main entrance so you can take home a memento of your special day.
Hi, my name is Robert Miller, and I have lived in Texas all my life. I am proud of my state, and decided to set up this site to share its beauty with others. Through Texans United, I will be talking readers through everything they need to know about Texas. From the best places to eat, and sites to visit, to its history and useful information.
