Water Parks in Texas

Making a Splash in Texas

Because of the dry, hot Texas climate, water parks are a great destination for vacationers. Many cities offer local pools which may have a few fountains or a small water slide, but there are also dozens of dedicated water parks with many splish-splashy thrills. Which type of water park a family chooses to visit may be based on destination – there are water parks in all major Texas cities and popular vacation spots – as well as the type of park.

Different Types of Water Parks in Texas

From gentle waves and non-existent currents to ferocious tidal forces of the most advanced water thrill rides, there are many options at different water parks.

Schlitterbahn Parks

The trio of Schlitterbahn water parks are the most popular in the state of Texas. Schiltterbahn, which means “slippery road” in German, has become synonymous with crazy water slides and innovative wet attractions, and all three parks deliver amazing ways to cool off.

• Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort: This original Schlitterbahn park in New Braunfels opened in 1979 and today encompasses 65 acres of aqua-tastic excitement. Frequently rated the top water park in the United States, this destination features more than 3 miles of waterslides, seven children’s play areas, three water coasters, giant hot tubs for adults, a massive wave pool, a surfing simulator pool, and more.
• Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark: With a tropical theme, this park on South Padre Island overlooking the Gulf of Mexico has been a popular southern destination since it opened in 2001. Attractions include the Rio Aventura endless river that connects major rides, the five story interactive sandcastle playground, the world’s largest surfing machine, four unique water coasters, and a wave pool.
• Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark: This 15 acre park features gigantic hot tubs with swim up bars, family raft slides, water coasters, enclosed tube chutes, and speed slides that drop from a dizzying eight stories up. The Wasserfest area of the park is its most significant innovation – it can be enclosed to become a 70,000 square foot indoor water park all year round or during bad summer weather.

While the Schlitterbahn parks may be the most famous water parks in Texas, they are far from the only ones.

Thrilling Splashes

Visitors interested in wild and crazy splashes can try out any of the state’s amazing water parks with high-tech thrills and speedy drops, including:

• Hawaiian Falls: These three resorts located in Dallas, The Colony, and Garland have exciting rides and attractions that embody the tropical essence of Hawaii. While each park is unique, familiar attractions include wave pools, four-person racing slides, lazy rivers, speed slides, wacky half-pipes, children’s activity areas, cool water walkways, and private cabanas for the ultimate in relaxation.
• NRH2O: This thrilling park in North Richmond Hills features a four-lane mat racing slide, three serpentine body slides, double tube slides, a five level interactive activity area for all ages, a lazy river, and themed children’s play areas with climbing nets, balancing pads, and other wet surprises.
• Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: This tremendous water park in Arlington offers guests a range of slides including family rafts, dark slides, a tornado funnel slide, nearly perpendicular speed slides, terraced pools connected by gentle sloping slides, and other classic water park thrills such as water cannons, nets, a wave pool, and a carpeted tanning area.
• Lost Lagoon: A part of Sea World San Antonio, this water park lets guests become part of the aquatic environment with a wave pool, lazy river with islands, a three story water funhouse, family tube slides, dark slides, and a lagoon just for kids.
• White Water Bay: This water park is included with admission to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and includes such drippy attractions as family slides, a gigantic Texas-shaped wave pool, multi-rider slides, and a funnel slide.

Moderate Water Excitement

Visitors interested in some watery fun of a more moderate degree will enjoy these mid-range water parks.

• Castaway Cove: Located in Wichita Falls, this tropical-themed park has everything for vacation castaways to enjoy: tunnel tube slides, a wave pool, lazy river, the Buccaneer Bay interactive play area, speed slides, and a sand volleyball court.
• Great Wolf Lodge: One of Texas’s newest water park resorts (opening in late 2007), this indoor lodge park in Grapevine will feature 80,000 square feet of aquatic fun, including six pools and a four story tree house water fort.
• Splash Amarillo: This Amarillo water park offers a range of serpentine and speed slides, a wave pool with six foot swells, and a kiddie area for youngsters to splash in. The sand volleyball courts and horseshoe courts are also popular.
• Splash Kingdom: This family-friendly park in Canton features 10 acres of splashy fun including speed and tube slides, a lazy river, a castle-themed water fortress for youngsters, a wave pool, and more. Glow-in-the-dark mini-golf is a fun dry activity, and plenty of snacks are available.

Aqua aerobics equipment

Cool Pools

For cool thrills in a low-key environment, these Texas water parks fit the bill.

• Texas Water Rampage: This Lubbock park features water volleyball, a 9,000 square foot wave pool, a few thrilling slides, a children’s play area, and picnic areas.
• Waco Water Park: Located in Waco, this small water park features two pools and two water slides, as well as a zero depth pool for the very youngest swimmers. Adults can enjoy water aerobics classes while children take swimming lessons.
• Burger’s Lake: Near Fort Worth, this simple 30 acre park is highlighted by a spring-fed lake with six diving boards and a water trapeze. The abundant picnic tables make it a great family destination for a cool afternoon.

Whether visitors are interested in crazy water attractions, depth-defying slides, or just cool, watery fun, the water parks in Texas have it all.