Water Parks in Texas

The newest member of the Schlitterbahn waterpark family, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark boasts 26 acres of exciting water rides. The park is divided into three sections connected by a mile-long river; one section offers a wave pool and the tallest water coaster in the world, another is home to raft rides and a children's play area, and the third features a selection of high-speed waterslides. Guests are permitted to bring their own food into the park, but they can also take advantage of the swim-up bar and the numerous food and drink outlets on the property.

2109 Lockheed Rd, Galveston, TX 77554, Phone: 409-770-9283

Offering 80,000 square feet of indoor rides, slides, and pools, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark allows families to have fun in the water throughout the year. The outdoor wave pool is only open in the summer, but the rest of the park is located under a retractable roof. There are eleven exciting waterslides to choose from, three of which hold the honor of being the first of their kind in the world. Exclusive cabanas can be rented by groups of up to eight people, and the park also offers a gift shop, a state-of-the-art arcade, a grill, and a bar.

Epic Place #2970, Grand Prairie, TX 75051, Phone: 972-337-3131

Water Parks in Colorado for Teens and Tweens

Open only to guests of the Great Wolf Lodge, this waterpark is an 80,000-square-foot complex that caters to guests of all ages. The youngest visitors will enjoy playing in the water park tree house and splashing around in the Cub Paw Pool, while their older counterparts can keep themselves entertained with tandem tube rides and exciting body slides with multi-story drops and vortexes. Adults are welcome to join in on the fun, but they can also escape to one of the park's two hot tubs or even to the on-site resort spa for some well-deserved pampering.

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

Lubbock Water Rampage has been open for more than 30 years, and it's still just as fun as it was when it first opened. In addition to exciting slides, the park offers a lazy river, a huge wave pool, and an interactive pirate ship with a dumping bucket. The park is a wonderful place to host children's birthday parties, especially if you manage to schedule your event on the same day as one of the monthly movie nights held in the summer. Admission is half-price every day after 4pm, and lockers and tubes are available for rent on a first-come first-served basis.

6602 Marsha Sharp Fwy, Lubbock, TX 79407, Phone: 806-771-5953

Aquatica San Antonio is owned by SeaWorld, so it's the perfect choice for anyone who wants to visit both attractions. The rides range from sedate lazy rivers to thrilling waterslides, and unlike most other waterparks in the world, Aquatica has a number of rides that allows visitors to get up close and personal with animals like stingrays and tropical fish. It is possible to visit both SeaWorld and Aquatica in one day, but visitors who have a bit more time to spare would be well advised to purchase a 2-day pass that allows access to both parks.

10500 Sea World Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251, Phone: 210-807-9176

Water Parks in Texas for Smaller Kids

Only 10 minutes away from downtown Dallas, Bahama Beach Waterpark offers excellent value and plenty of family-friendly fun. Highlights include a children's water playground with a thousand-gallon dumping bucket, several 45-foot-tall slides aimed at older children and adults, and two zero-depth entry beaches that provide access to the lazy river and are perfect for anyone who wants to paddle around in the water. Food and beverages can be purchased from the on-site eatery, and anyone who wants to stay cool without spending too much time in the water can rent one of the park's five private cabanas.

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

Located in Wichita Falls, Castaway Cove Waterpark offers seven water attractions that are fun for the whole family. The shipwrecked-themed pools and slides range from leisurely activities like the lazy river to exciting options like the Pirate's Plunge, a slide that boasts a 37-foot vertical freefall. The park also caters to visitors interested in getting some exercise; one of the pools features water volleyball and basketball courts as well as an activities area aimed at younger children. Groups can rent out private poolside cabanas, and the park is happy to offer special packages for birthdays and other special occasions.

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

Encompassing 14 acres, Hawaiian Falls Mansfield is one of five Hawaiian Falls waterparks in Texas. There are 14 slides for visitors to choose from, including an exciting two-person halfpipe ride and a slide that promises to turn riders into human torpedoes. Plenty of more relaxing options are available as well; the younger members of your family will enjoy playing in the interactive splash park, and the lazy river is fun for people of all ages. Visitors can also browse the gift shop, enjoy a picnic or a meal from one of the on-site restaurants, or relax in the comfort of a private cabana.

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