11 family-friendly water parks in Central Texas to check out this summer
Summer break is here, which means the blazing, merciless Texas heat has also arrived.
If you're looking for a place to cool off but need something more than a regular pool, a waterpark is the perfect place to go. Countless parks offer fun for the whole family with slides, lazy rivers and more.
Here are some water parks to check out in Austin as well as across Texas for those wanting a mini vacation:
Waterloo Adventures - Austin
Waterloo Adventures puts a twist on the traditional water park with a 600-foot obstacle course, slides and more all floating atop Lake Travis. The nearby Adventure Island is where guests can enjoy free storage lockers, resort-style loungers, hammocks and beach games. Admission is $65 per person and comes with not only the water-and-land activities but free parking, shuttle service and boat transportation. Children under 7 are not allowed.
(Parking at 14602 1/2 Pocohontas Trail on Mondays-Fridays; Parking at 13987 FM 2769 on Saturdays and Sundays)
Volente Beach - Austin
Another Lake Travis attraction, this waterpark is open Tuesday through Sunday. Ticket prices vary and are purchased on-site. Attractions include beach volleyball, slides, a pirate-themed kiddie splash pad and a protected lake swimming area.
(16107 FM 2769)
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Typhoon Texas Waterpark - Austin
Slides at Typhoon Texas include tube, mat and free-fall slides. There is also a lazy river, kid area and more. General admission tickets are $44.99 at the gate but are currently on sale for $36.99 online.
(18500 TX-130 North Service Road)
Kalahari Resort - Round Rock
Access to the resort's indoor and outdoor water parks is included in overnight stays, but there are day passes for those who want to enjoy splashing around for just a bit. The indoor waterpark resort is called America's largest at 223,000 square feet.
(3001 Kalahari Blvd.)
Aquatica - San Antonio
This Sea World waterpark offers a tropical reef and stingray encounter in addition to traditional park offerings such as slides, a wave pool and a kids' outdoor funhouse. Day tickets start at $39.99 online while day tickets with all-day dining start at $69.99.
(10500 Sea World Drive)
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Schlitterbahn - New Braunfels and Galveston
Schlitterbahn is arguably one of the most well-known Texas waterparks. The park offers tube slides, body slides, swim-up bars, surfing simulator, an uphill water coaster, wave pool, kid areas and more. Daily admission tickets start at $47.99. Galveston also has a location with daily admission tickets starting at $54.99. The Galveston location has practically all the same amenities.
(400 N. Liberty Ave. in New Braunfels; 2026 Lockheed Road in Galveston)
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor - Arlington
This Six Flags establishment is another famous Texas waterpark located close to Dallas. For a daily ticket starting at $30, guests can enjoy slides, a lagoon treehouse, lazy river, rapids, surfing simulator, kid areas and more.
(1800 E Lamar Blvd.)
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Canyon Lake, Kerrville and Waller
Canyon Lake sits only about an hour and a half from Austin and is home to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. In addition to mini golf, an arcade, laser tag and more, the park offers a splash pad, water playground, shuttle service to the Guadalupe River for tubing and indoor and outdoor pools. Prices vary, and there are also locations in Kerrville and Waller with similar offerings.
(12915 Farm to Market 306 in Canyon Lake; 2605 Junction Highway #27 in Kerrville; 34843 Betka Road in Waller)
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Splashway Waterpark - Sheridan
This waterpark has areas for toddlers, youth and adults as well as slides, a lazy river and wave pool. Ticket prices vary.
(5211 Main St.)
Hurricane Alley Waterpark - Corpus Christi
Close to the coast is Hurricane Alley Waterpark, featuring a surfing simulator, 6-story slide complex, a lazy river and a baseball-themed kids' splash pad area. Admission is $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends.
(702 East Port Ave.)
Water Rampage - Lubbock
Up in the Texas Panhandle is Water Rampage, open daily from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $31.41 but only $20.32 for 4-6 p.m. on weekdays. The park has slides, a lazy river and a pirate-themed kids' area.
(6602 Marsha Sharp Freeway)
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Guide to 11 best water parks around Central Texas for summer 2023
