Best Indoor Water Parks in Texas – The Coolest Places to Play

Kimberly Miles Avatar

Pools, water slides, and lazy river at Kalahari Texas
There are pools, slides, and water attractions galore at Kalahari Texas. Photo by Heidi Gollub.

In Texas, everything is BIG and its indoor water parks are no exception! Home to the largest indoor water park in the nation, the biggest retractable roof in the nation and the tallest water coaster in the world, there is certainly no shortage of ways to keep the whole family entertained. There’s even a water park designed just for the littlest ones! Whether you’re looking for something chill or looking for a thrill, you can no doubt find the best indoor water parks in Texas.

When it comes to splashing around in the Lone Star State, there is certainly no shortage of beaches, rivers and outdoor water parks to get your feet wet. But the fun doesn’t end when the summer does, because Texas also does it BIG when it comes to its indoor water parks!

So if you find yourself traveling to or through the Lone Star State and want to get wet when the outdoor pools are closed or when the weather gets a little “interesting”, here are eight of the best indoor water parks in Texas to put on your list:

1. Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine

Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine is self-proclaimed as the best indoor waterpark in Texas, and for good reason! Photo credit: Great Wolf Lodge

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

Self-proclaimed as the best indoor water park in Texas, the Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine packs a variety of water adventures for all ages that rightfully make it so. Located just outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, it is a quick and easy getaway for both residents and visitors.

Similar to its other popular locations throughout the country, Great Wolf Lodge has something appropriate for all ages and thrill levels. There are adrenaline-pumping tube slides, twisting body slides, hair-raising water coasters and a family-friendly hot springs area. There are also water basketball and large floating lily pads for those who want a fun challenge.

For the younger members of the family, there’s a kiddie pool and Fort Mackenzie, a four-story water fort treehouse with activities made just for their age and size. When it’s time for the adults to take a break and enjoy something for themselves, there’s an adults-only hot tub area to kick back and relax.

There’s even a family-friendly outdoor water playground that opens during pool season offering fun activities such as water basketball, fountains and kiddie slides.

Here are more reasons why you should visit Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine:

  • Life jackets and towels available at the park
  • Day passes available as well as themed lodging on-site for a longer weekend getaway
  • Plenty of dry activities included such as an arcade, ropes course and Build-a-Bear workshop

Read More: 15 Best Family Resorts in Texas

2. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
Epic Waters has a giant retractable roof, great for indoor and outdoor fun! Photo credit: Breeze Leonard

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

Located just outside of Arlington and less than 30 minutes from Fort Worth, Epic Waters is the largest indoor water park in its area. Open year-round, this 80,000-square-foot indoor waterpark in Texas offers plenty of family fun for everyone.

Epic Waters has lots to be excited about. However, what makes it most unique is its giant retractable roof, the largest in the nation! This indoor water park also has several thrilling body slides and tube slides, a pool with water basketball, a lazy river and the popular Flowrider surf simulator. The littlest ones will surely keep busy in the water fort with a tipping bucket.

If your kids are into gaming like my son, they can head over to the 4,000-square-foot arcade. And when the family needs a break from the water, you can grab a bite at the on-site cafe to refuel.

Here are more reasons why you should visit Epic Waters:

  • On-site cafe as well as a bar and lounge for the adults
  • Special events and offers such as Family Fun Fridays, Homeschool Mondays and Twilight Swim
  • Birthday packages available for spending your child’s special day

Read More: Fantastically Fun Things to Do in Texas With Kids: 34+ Things To Get You Started

3. Kalahari Indoor Waterpark

Kalahari Indoor Water Park, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
Kids of all ages will have a blast at what has been voted one of the world’s “coolest indoor waterpark.” Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

3001 Kalahari Blvd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 651-1000

Just north of Austin inside of the Kalahari Resort at Round Rock, the Kalahari Indoor Waterpark is voted one of the “world’s coolest indoor waterparks.” It is also one of America’s largest indoor water parks.

With 223,000 square feet of water fun, this indoor water park in Texas is no doubt the biggest attraction in the resort. There are countless adrenaline-pumping tube and body slides, a zero-depth entry activity swimming pool, wave pool, raft rides and a lazy river. There’s also a designated kids’ water play area, water basketball and the famous Flowrider surf simulator.

For adults looking to relax and unwind, there’s a swim-up bar. There’s even a bowling alley, escape room and an indoor amusement park with a roller coaster, just to scratch the surface!

If one thing is for sure, this incredible indoor water park in Texas Hill Country will leave even the hardest-to-please family member begging to return.

Here are more reasons why you should visit Kalahari Indoor Waterpark:

  • Waterpark admission included with a resort stay
  • Access as early as 12 pm on the day of check-in and until closing on the day of check-out
  • Numerous award-winning dining options on-site to refuel
  • Private bungalows and cabanas available for birthday parties or family privacy

4. Schlitterbahn Galveston

Schlitterbahn Galveston, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
Schlitterbahn Galveston packs lots of indoor and outdoor fun for all ages. Photo credit: Schlitterbahn Galveston

2109 Gene Lucas Blvd
Galveston, TX 77554
(409) 770-9283

While Schlitterbahn at Galveston Island is known mostly for its outdoor water park, there are also several indoor water attractions where the family will have a blast.

Located less than an hour from Houston, Schlitterbahn Waterpark has something for the entire family. For the toddlers, there’s a zero-depth entry pirate ship activity pool with slides, spray jets and water drop showers. For families, there’s a wave pool with a designated kids area. And for the teens and tweens looking for adventure, there’s the thrilling tidal wave river tube ride that takes you through the entire park while riding the waves.

Schlitterbahn Galveston is also home to the world’s tallest water coaster, the MASSIV Monster Blaster. It’s so tall, it’s even in the Guinness World Records!

And if you’re in or near San Antonio during the summer, you’ve also got to check out Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark Resort, self-proclaimed as the “World’s Best Waterpark.” It’s an outdoor water park, but well worth the mention for all of the incredible rides and attractions it offers for all ages!

Here are more reasons why you should visit Schlitterbahn Galveston:

  • Multiple on-site dining options available that accommodate dietary restrictions
  • Private cabanas available for rent
  • Fast-lane passes available for the most popular rides

5. Beach Park at Isla Blanca

Beach Park at Isla Blanca, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
Photo credit: Beach Park at Isla Blanca

33261 State Park Rd 100
South Padre Island, TX 78597
(956) 772-7873

Formerly known as Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, Beach Park has both outdoor and indoor water park areas. The retractable roof indoor water park is tucked inside of the resort and offers plenty of climate-controlled fun for the whole family.

Although small, there’s plenty to keep the kids busy. There’s a heated pool, two tube water slides, an interactive pirate-themed kids play area, rapid water lazy river and a dry play area where they can play ball or ride on the carousel. For the adults, there’s a nearby swim-up bar close enough so that you can continue to watch the kids play.

Here are more reasons why you should visit Beach Park at Isla Blanca:

  • Lifeguards on duty
  • On-site restaurant and concessions available
  • Life jackets available for use at no charge

6. Waterpark at the Villages

Waterpark at The Villages, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
The wilderness-themed indoor waterpark will keep the little ones busy for hours. Photo credit: Waterpark at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Villages Resort

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

Located inside of the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Village Resort, this wilderness-themed indoor water park in Texas is open year-round.

Both kids and adults alike will have an adventure zipping down twisting tube slides and body slides, climbing over rope bridges, catching waves in the wave pool or floating down the lazy river. The little ones will have a blast in the children’s play area with three slides, sprayers and a 10,000-gallon tipping bucket. They’ll certainly get a kick out of the moose, bears and other wild animals that they’ll see while splashing around.

Here are more reasons why you should visit the Waterpark at the Villages:

  • Group and party packages available
  • Lifeguards on duty and life jackets available for rent
  • Wristbands provide all-day access to the water park

7. The Splash Shack

Splash Shack, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
The Splash Shack is appropriately named in that there is no way you can NOT get wet! Photo credit: Splash Shack

1801 Clover Ln
Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 820-3636

If you’ve been searching for an indoor water park that you can safely enjoy with the littlest ones during your family getaway, add the Splash Shack to your list!

This 10,000-square-foot micro indoor water park in Texas was designed especially for kids aged 1-10. With no water depth, there’s no need to worry about deep water or slides that are too intense for their age.

The Splash Shack’s park features include a 30-foot-tall interactive water play structure, six large water slides, two small water slides, a large dump bucket and a splash pad for the toddlers. Just make sure you come prepared to get wet, because there’s no way NOT to!

Here are more reasons why you should visit the Splash Shack:

  • Designed especially for children aged 1-10 years old
  • Splash “Happy Hours” every 3rd Sunday with discounted tickets
  • Various party packages available for special events

8. The Cove at the Lakefront

The Cove at the Lakefront, one of the best indoor waterparks in Texas
The Cove is a fun way to spend the day getting active (and wet) with the family! Photo credit: The Cove at the Lakefront

417 Lakefront Dr
Little Elm, TX 75068
(214) 618-2047

The Cove is one of the newest indoor water parks near Dallas, Texas, open year-round with a retractable roof. Its convenient location in The Lakefront at Little Elm makes it an ideal way to spend the day.

This 42,000-square-foot facility has multiple water slides, including two high-adrenaline slides made just for the thrill-seekers. There’s also a Flowrider surf simulator, lazy river, interactive play structure and zero-depth entry splash ground for the littlest family members. For the stronger swimmers, there’s a deep pool that you can plunge into from a rock ledge, climbing wall or rope swing.

When it’s time to relax, there are poolside private cabanas available to rent with a private TV.

Here are more reasons why you should visit the Cove at the Lakefront:

  • Food and beverage options with remote ordering to skip the line
  • Conveniently located near retail shops, restaurants and other nearby recreation
  • Air-conditioned party rooms and locker rentals

Which of the above indoor water parks in Texas are you most excited to visit? Share with us in the comments below!


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