6 Best Texas Indoor Water Parks

• Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, Photo: Courtesy of gustavofrazao - Fotolia.com
• Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston, Photo: Courtesy of Olesia Bilkei - Fotolia.com
• The WaterPark at The Villages, Photo: The WaterPark at The Villages
• Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, Photo: Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
• Great Wolf Lodge Resort, Photo: Great Wolf Lodge Resort
• Lubbock Water Rampage, Photo: Courtesy of Tropical studio - Fotolia.com
• Cover Photo: Courtesy of Dmitry Vereshchagin - Fotolia.com

You May Also Like: 25 Texas Waterparks

When temperatures rise in the Lone Star State, water attractions become a family favorite attraction, from local swimming pools to multi-slide attraction complexes. Following the success of New Braunfels park Schlitterbahn, which has been named as the best water park in the world by Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards more than 17 times, large themed water park resorts have become even more popular, rivaling the record-breaking progress of theme park coasters with massive slides and attractions showcasing daring, physics-defying elements such as zero-gravity airtime moments. A number of indoor water park resorts throughout the state also offer year-round thrills, with retractable roofs for indoor-outdoor fun depending on the weather.

Bahama Beach Waterpark

Bahama Beach Waterpark is a family water park and entertainment complex located 10 minutes south of Dallas’ downtown area. The park is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through mid-August and offers a wide variety of water attractions for patrons of all ages, including the high-speed Riptide Slide and Bahama Bullet, the twisting and turning Bermuda Triangle slide complex, and the 300-foot mat racing experience Tortuga Express. For milder family fun, the Calypso Cooler lazy river attraction offers panoramic views of the park, while the Water Wars play area allows visitors to compete in the ultimate water balloon fight. Safe children’s play is offered at the Coconut Cove complex, which is centered around a 1,000-foot oversized dumping bucket. Cabana, pavilion, and picnic table rentals are available for day use, and special discount days are offered throughout the summer, including back-to-school specials and holiday discounts.

1895 Campfire Cir, Dallas, TX 75232, Phone: (214) 671-0820

Lubbock Water Rampage

Lubbock Water Rampage has been a Lubbock area summertime favorite for more than 30 years, frequently selling out season passes for its family-friendly water attractions and special events. The park offers three distinct sections of attractions, including a Pirates Cove area that features an explorable pirate ship play area, giant dumping bucket, and a number of party pavilions that may be rented for private special events. A lazy river attraction traversing a pirate village anchors its Lost World area, while a giant wave pool and children’s play area serve as the centerpiece of its Caribbean Adventure attraction. Movie nights are offered throughout the season, with all visitors receiving free inner tube rental in exchange for admission to float on the wave pool and watch top blockbuster films. A portion of all proceeds for movie nights benefit the South Plains Food Bank.

6602 Marsha Sharpe Fwy, Lubbock, TX 79407, Phone: (806) 771-5953

Splash Kingdom Waterpark

Splash Kingdom Waterpark is a family of waterparks that offers five locations throughout Texas and Louisiana, including parks in Canton, Shreveport, Weatherford, Nacogdoches, and Greenville. The park’s flagship Canton location, opened in 2005 by Johnny and Marci Blevins, offers a variety of high and mild thrill attractions, including action-packed water slides such as the open-tube Blue Thunder, the rapid-acceleration Express, and the Pink Panic body slide. More relaxing attractions include a 350,000-gallon giant wave pool, a 1,000-foot lazy river, and sand volleyball courts available for free rental. Children can enjoy the Kid’s Kingdom playscape, which offers a castle-themed safe play place with milder slides and water play areas.

18814, I-20, Canton, TX 75103, Phone: (903) 567-0044

Splashway Waterpark

Splashway Waterpark is a family-friendly Sheridan water park facility that offers extensive onsite campground and lodging accommodations, including rental cabins and cottages, RV hookups, and tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. A wide variety of high-thrill attractions are offered at the park, including the gravity-defying Loco Mono, the Tubular Tornado bowl slide, the towering Ray’s Riptide raft slide, and the dueling Jet Stream racing slides. Large family relaxation areas include a lazy river attraction, a family-friendly lagoon, and the largest wave pool in the state of Texas. Children’s water challenge attractions are offered at the Criss-N-Cross play area, while Toddler Bay provides safe play experiences for children under 36 inches. Stay and Play reservation packages are available, offering discounted joint admission and overnight lodging fees, along with complimentary souvenir cups and gift cards.

5211 Main St, Sheridan, TX 77475, Phone: (979) 234-7718

Waterpark at the Villages

Waterpark at the Villages is located within Flint’s extensive Holiday Inn Club Vacations Villages Resort and is one of Texas’ top indoor water parks, located within a 3,000-acre resort along the banks of Lake Palestine. The 25,000-square-foot park offers water attractions for the entire family, covered by a large retractable roof that is opened during sunny summer weather for an outdoor vacation vibe. Four three-story water slides are available for high thrills, along with a lazy river, inner tube whirlpool, and children’s play area with a 10,000-gallon dump bucket. Casual dining options are offered on site, including a location of national sandwich chain Subway.

18270 Singing Wood Ln, Flint, TX 75762, Phone: (903) 534-8400

Wet'n'Wild Waterworld

Wet’n’Wild Waterworld is one of the United States’ oldest water parks, originally opened in 1979 by Berry H. Edwards and modeled after the now-defunct Wet’n’Wild Anaheim park. Today, it spans 60 acres near the towns of El Paso and Las Cruces, offering a wide variety of attractions for novice and expert swimmers alike. Most rides feature shallow water, allowing non-swimmers to enjoy top attractions such as water slides. Thrill rides include slides such as the Blue Streak, the screamer, and the twin slides Amazon and Alien Vortex, while family-friendly attractions include the Little Rio Grande lazy river attraction and the Wild Island Wave Pool, one of Texas’ largest. Young children can play safely at the Atlantis Adventure and King Kiri’s Fountains of Fun playplaces. A slippery rock challenge and beach volleyball courts are also provided to continue the fun on land. Throughout the season, concerts and festivals are presented at the park’s picnic area, which also allows guests to bring their own food into the park in coolers.

8804 S Desert Blvd, Anthony, TX 79821, Phone: (915) 886-2222

Castaway Cove Waterpark

Castaway Cove Waterpark is an all-ages family entertainment center in Wichita Falls, offering a variety of high and mild thrill water rides and outdoor attractions. Top water rides include the park’s Parrot’s Perch Slide Complex, a 40-foot slide tower which offers two open-flume slides along with the U-shaped Cliffhanger ride, which offers zero-gravity wet-dry rafting experiences. A 360-degree loop is showcased in the Pirate’s Plunge slide, while serpentine and corkscrew elements are incorporated into Storm Watch Tower. Other attractions include the Hideaway Harbor lagoon pool, the Shipwreck Beach tidal wave pool, and the Buccaneer Bay family entertainment complex, which features children’s slides, a multi-level playscape, and a giant dumping bucket. Dining options include the casual American-style Castaway Café, a full-service tropical bar, and a Dippin’ Dots station.

1000 Central Fwy E, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, Phone: (940) 322-5500

Aquatica San Antonio, SeaWorld's Water Park

Aquatica San Antonio is the companion water park to SeaWorld San Antonio, one of three parks of its kind in the nation along with Aquatica Orlando and Aquatica San Diego. The park was opened to the public in May of 2012 and showcases a wide variety of family-friendly water attractions, including attractions that offer up-close experiences with the main park’s animal habitats, such as the Stingray Falls family rafting ride that passes through an underground grotto showcasing stingrays and tropical fish species. High-thrill slides include the enclosed Hooroo Run and Tassie’s Twisters multi-slide complexes, the dark experience Woohoo Falls, and the zero-gravity Walhalla Wave clover tube slide. Younger visitors can enjoy the Kookaburra Cove splash play area, the miniature Zippity Zappity slides, and the three-story Walkabout Waters interactive funhouse.

10500 Sea World Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251, Phone: (210) 520-4732

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park experience in Grand Prairie, opened to the public in late 2017. The water park is located adjacent to The Epic recreation center and showcases a giant retractable roof for year-round indoor-outdoor fun. 11 water slides are offered, including three industry firsts, such as the Lasso Loop, the country’s tallest indoor Aqualoop slide, the Yellowjacket Drop serpentine inner tube, and the Aquanut, the first double rider Aquasphere inner tube at an indoor park. Other top attractions include the Flowrider boogie boarding experience, the 10,000-square-foot Epic Waves outdoor wave pool, and the Rio Grand, Texas’ largest indoor lazy river ride. Children’s play areas are offered, along with several food and beverage stations, a full-service bar, and a 4,000-square-foot arcade showcasing more than 50 video and redemption games.

2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, Phone: (972) 337-3131

Hawaiian Falls Garland

Hawaiian Falls Garland was the first water park opened as part of the Hawaiian Falls franchise, which is operated by amusement corporation ProParks Management Company and is known for its unique public-private land ownership model. The park was opened in 2003 and spans 12 acres near the Spring Creek Forest Preserve. 15 high and mild thrill attractions are offered for visitors of all ages, including 11 high-speed inner tube, mat racing, and body slides. Top attractions include the 40-mph Torpedo racing slide, the giant-drop Waikiki Wipeout, and the unique Pipeline double slide, which features interactive in-slide lighting and sound systems. Family rides include the Waikiki Beach family wave pool, the Kona Kooler Adventure River lazy river attraction, and the Keiki Cove children’s water treehouse.

4550 N Garland Ave, Garland, TX 75040, Phone: (972) 675-8888

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield was the third Hawaiian Falls location opened in Texas, opened to the public on Memorial Day weekend of 2008. The 14-acre park is located along Texas State Highway 360 and offers 14 high-thrill slides, including the four-slide Tiki Tower Slides complex, the Pineapple Express downhill mat racing slide complex, and the LaLana Peak dual-slide attraction, which offers state-of-the-art lighting and sound within its enclosed slide. Family attraction include a football-field-sized wave pool, an interactive children’s play area with fountains, and a relaxing lazy river attraction. Private cabanas are available for day-use rental, and American-style dining is offered at Sharkey’s Cafe, including children’s menu options.

490 Heritage Pkwy S, Mansfield, TX 76063, Phone: (817) 853-0050

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke was opened Memorial Day weekend of 2011, becoming the Hawaiian Falls franchise’s fourth location in Texas. The park is best known as the home of Mega WaterWorld, the largest aquatic play structure in the world, which incorporates a family rafting ride, a three-lane family racing slide, and two giant dump buckets reaching volumes of 500 and 1,000 gallons. Other top attractions include Beach Blasters, the first dueling multi-tube racer slide in the world, and the Flyin’ Hawaiian covered tube slide, which presents high-definition lighting and sound effects. Families can enjoy the Rainforest River Adventure lazy river attraction, the Breaker Bay giant wave pool, and the Water Walkway children’s spray play area.

290 Byron Nelson Blvd, Roanoke, TX 76262, Phone: (817) 853-0099

Hawaiian Falls The Colony

Hawaiian Falls The Colony was the second Hawaiian Falls franchise location at its May 2004 opening, located within the City of The Colony and managed by EPR Properties. 15 unique high and mild thrill water attractions are offered, including the “human torpedo experience” slide The Torpedo, which launches riders down competing slides at speeds of 40 miles per hour, and the Pipeline giant drop slide, which offers music and lighting effects in its enclosed slide option. Other slides include the Honolulu Lulu triple-slide complex, the Whirlwind 360 bowl slide, and the up-and-down Hawaiian Half Pipe launch slide. A variety of dining options are offered at the park, including Sharky’s Cafe and Surfside BBQ, which serves signature Hawaiian shaved ice treats.

4400 Paige Rd, The Colony, TX 75056, Phone: (972) 370-4327

Hawaiian Falls Waco

Hawaiian Falls Waco is the newest addition to the Hawaiian Falls water park family, originally opened to the public as Waco Water Park before its 2011 takeover by the franchise. The park was expanded to three times its original size after the takeover, spanning an area of more than 14 acres today, which makes it the largest park operated by Hawaiian Falls. Signature franchise attractions showcased at the park include the Breaker Bay wave pool, the Kona Kooler lazy river attraction, and the Tempest Tower slides, which feature state-of-the-art lighting and music experiences. Other slides include the Monsoon and Typhoon body racers, the Pineapple Express mat racers, and the Splashwater Reef competition pool, which offers water basketball goals, an aquatic obstacle course, and public swimming lessons.

900 Lake Shore Dr, Waco, TX 76708, Phone: (254) 892-0222

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge offers famous indoor and outdoor family fun in Grapevine at the resort’s largest United States location, which includes an 80,000-square-foot water park facility that is maintained at 84 degrees year-round. Slides, lazy river and wave pool attractions, and children’s play areas are showcased, including the four-story-drop Alberta Falls tandem tube ride, the Howlin’ Tornado racing slides, and the massive Fort Mackenzie interactive treehouse adventure. Outside, the Raccoon Lagoon activity pool showcases more slides, along with opportunities for water basketball play. Sauna and hot tub areas are offered for older visitors, along with a poolside bar and grill. Other attractions at the 605-suite resort include an ice cream-themed children’s spa, a 6D theater, and a MagiQuest gaming center.

100 Great Wolf Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051, Phone: (800) 693-9653

NRH2O Family Water Park

NRH2O Family Water Park owned and operated by the City of North Richland Hills and has been consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top water park facilities. The park offers eight water slides of varying thrill levels, including the 330-foot Sidewinder, the mega-tube Viper, and the 1,161-foot-long Green Extreme, the world’s tallest uphill water coaster. Gentler family attractions include the parent-child ride-along Double Dipper slide, the 5,300-square-foot Beachside Bay lagoon, and the NRH2Ocean wave pool, which presents dive-in movies on weekend evenings throughout the summer. A wide variety of dining options are offered throughout the park, including Al Gator’s Smokehouse and Grill, Piper’s River Falls Café, and Eb and Flo’s Funnel Cake Lab.

9001 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, TX 76180, Phone: (817) 427-6500

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark is a 26-acre water park resort in Galveston, operated by New Braunfels-based franchise corporation Schlitterbahn. The year-round water park was opened to the public in 2006 and is home to the most rides of any Schlitterbahn park, including the 81-foot MASSIV coaster, the Guinness world record holder as the world’s tallest water coaster. Other high-thrill slides include the immersive, intertwined Screaming Serpents dual-slide experience, which has been showcased on the Travel Channel’s “Xtreme Waterparks” series. A one-mile lazy river connects the park’s attractions, including its convertible indoor-outdoor Wasserfest section, which has received multiple Golden Ticket awards as the World’s Best Indoor Waterpark.

2026 Lockheed Rd, Galveston, TX 77554, Phone: (409) 770-9283

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels was the first Texas water park location to open under the Schlitterbahn franchise, opened to the public in 1979. The park’s name is a reference to the German word for “slippery road,” an homage to the New Braunfels region’s German heritage. At its opening, the park featured four water slides. Since then, it has expanded to feature more than 50 attractions across two distinct water resort areas, earning it more than three dozen Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today, including a nearly 20-year streak as the world’s best water park. Major attractions include the Dragon Blaster, the world’s first uphill water coaster, and the Torrent, the world’s first wave river attraction. Seven types of accommodations are offered at the park’s resort, with discounted Stay and Play admission packages available for overnight guests.

400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, Phone: (830) 625-2351

Schlitterbahn South Padre Island

Schlitterbahn South Padre Island was the Schlitterbahn franchise’s second Texas location, opened to the public in 2001. The park has been voted as the state’s number-one kid-friendly attraction by Texas Family Magazine and is located along a beautiful island stretch of beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 24 rides and slides are offered, including the Tempest and Storm Chaser water coasters, the Pirate’s Plunge tube chute, and the largest Boogie Bahn surfing wave attraction of any of the franchise’s parks. An indoor park section offers limited year-round operations, featuring attractions such as the Torrent continuous wave river and the Pirate’s Cove children’s play area. Floating queue lines are offered for many attractions as part of the park’s unique Transportainment tram raft system. 221 guest rooms and suites are offered at the park’s all-inclusive island resort, which is also home to several full-service restaurants and bars.

100 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597, Phone: (956) 761-1160

Six Flags Fiesta Texas - White Water Bay

Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a 200-acre theme park in San Antonio, known internationally for its Golden Ticket Award-winning shows and concerts. 15 water slides and attractions are offered at its White Water Bay water park section, which is included with standard park admission and accessible from the Crackaxle Canyon section of the park. Major water attractions include the Thunder Rapids rocketblast-style water coaster, the recipient of the 2017 Golden Ticket Award for Best New Water Ride, and the six-story Bahama Blaster slide complex. Milder family attractions are also offered, including the Texas Tumble family rafting ride, the Lone Star Lagoon wave pool, designed in the shape of the state of Texas, and the Splash Water Springs children’s play area. Park guests can also enjoy all of the park’s dry amusement rides, including its B&M-designed Superman: Krypton coaster, the tallest and fastest floorless coaster in the world.

17000 W IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78257, Phone: (210) 697-5050

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is the Texas location of the chain of Hurricane Harbor water parks located within Six Flags theme parks, operated as part of Arlington’s Six Flags Over Texas park. Once a standalone water park operated by the regional Wet ‘n Wild water park chain, the park was purchased by Six Flags in 1995 and rebranded with the company’s signature theming. Today, top water attractions include the seven-story Dive Bomber capsule body slide, the Typhoon Twister cannonball slide, and the 530-foot-long Blue Raider tube slide. Two million-gallon wave and fountain pools are also offered, along with children’s play areas such as Hook’s Lagoon Treehouse. Though the park is incorporated as part of the Six Flags Fiesta Texas complex, separate admission tickets are required to enter the main theme park area, which features attractions such as the Titan steel hypercoaster, the Superman: Tower of Power drop tower, and the New Texas Giant, a Rocky Mountain Construction-refurbished giant wooden coaster.

1800 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006, Phone: (817) 640-8900