It’s that time of year to throw on everyone’s swimsuits, pack the beach bag, and slather on the sunscreen so you can stay cool in one of Austin’s many splash pads. And if you’re feeling brave, you could try two a week over the summer and see them all!
Greater Austin Area Splash Pads
Central
Liz Carpenter Fountain at Butler Park (formerly Town Lake Park) – Open year-round. Hours from 12pm-9:45pm on Monday and 8am-9:45pm on Tuesday – Sunday. Overlooking downtown Austin, kids of all ages can play in the fountains both day and night and there’s the added bonus of a 35-foot hill to roll down too! Located at 1000 Barton Springs Road (just south of Auditorium Shores).
The Triangle – Located right in the middle of shopping and restaurants, this splash pad and playground gives the kids a chance to play while the adults enjoy the fun atmosphere of this active community. An added bonus is the Austin Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays from 3-7:00pm. The fountain may not always turned on and there is no set operating schedule. Located at 4700 N. Lamar Blvd.
Lott Splash Pad – Open every day (except Wednesday for maintenance) May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours from 9am – 8pm. This splash pad has a picnic area and playground close by; however, there are no restrooms available. Located at: 1108 Curves Street.
Eastwoods Park – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours 9am – 8pm. This splash pad has a picnic area, playground and restrooms close by. Located at 3001 Harris Park Avenue.
Pease Park’s Water Sprayground – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours from 9am – 8pm. This splash pad has a picnic area, playground and restrooms close by. Located at 1600 Parkway at Kingsbury Street.
North
Bailey Park – Open May 16 through September 27, 2015 with daily hours from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm. At this hidden gem, you will find a shady picnic area, playground, a volleyball court and some great trees to climb on along with an interactive splash pad. Located at 1101 W. 33rd Street.
The Domain – Located in the Domain 2 section by the iPic Theaters. The fountains are not currently turned on due to water restrictions, however you can check the website for any updates or call Guest Services at (512) 795-4230. There are two small play areas close by along with several restaurants and a really cool toy store and candy shop. Every kid’s dream! Located at 11410 Century Oaks Terrace. ***Check with The Domain as water restrictions force the splash pad to be turned off.***
East
Bartholomew Park – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours from 9am – 8pm. This splash pad has a picnic area and restrooms close by. Located at 5200 Berkman Drive.
Chestnut Park – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours from 9am – 8pm. This splash pad has a picnic area and playground close by; however, there are no restrooms available. Located at 1404 East 16th Street.
Metz Splash Pad – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours 9am – 8pm. This splash pad has a picnic area and playground close by; however, there are no restrooms available. Located at 2407 Canterbury Street.
Rosewood Splash Pad – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours from 9am – 8pm. Closed Mondays. This splash pad has a picnic area, playground and restrooms close by. The neighboring Rosewood Pool is also free, but is open different hours for recreational swimming. Located at 1182 Pleasant Valley.
South
Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm. Closed Wednesdays. This splash pad has a picnic area, playground and restrooms close by. Located at 1100 Brodie Street.
Dick Nichols District Park – Year-round hours. Call (512) 477-1566 for additional information. This district park offers a great picnic area, amazing playground, volleyball courts, and hike & bike trails along with a small waterscape for kids to play in. It is button activated to conserve water. Located at 8011 Beckett Road.
Southpark Meadows – Open year round from 11am – 7pm. However, due to water restrictions, the fountains may not always be turned on. The interactive water fountains are located in The Grove, where families can also enjoy live music, grab a bite to eat and play on the huge playscape. Located at 9300 S IH-35 Frontage Rd.
West
Clarksville Splash Pad – Opens on May 16 – September 27, 2015. Daily hours from 9am – 8pm. This splash pad has a picnic area, playground and restrooms close by. Located at 1811 W. 11 Street.
Bastrop
Fisherman’s Park – Opens April – September with daily hours from 10am – 7pm. A fun interactive splash pad, guaranteed to get everyone who ventures in wet. Located at 1200 Willow Street.
Bee Cave
Hill Country Galleria – Open daily, year-round, during mall hours. Call Guest Services at (512) 263-0001 to confirm that the fountain is turned on since it may be closed for bad weather or when another event is scheduled to take place in the amphitheater. In addition to great water fun, there are also plenty of restaurant and shopping options just steps away! Located at 12700 Hill Country Blvd.
Cedar Park
Water Playscape at Brushy Creek Park – Open May 1 – September 30 from 9am-7pm. 3300 Brushy Creek Rd. There is no staying dry at this playscape! There is a covered playground and restrooms, as well as plenty of nearby picnic tables. 3300 Brushy Creek Rd.
Champion Park – Opening on May 17th – September 1 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10am – 7pm. Closed Monday – Thursday due to water conservation. The splash pad itself is fairly small but there are plenty of other opportunities to play and explore in the covered sand pit, castings of dinosaur bones and specially designed boulders made just for climbing. Located at 3830 Brushy Creek Road.
Georgetown
Georgetown Art Center – Opens from April – September with daily hours from 9am – dusk. The city of Georgetown and Georgetown Art Works partnered in 2014 to restore the Fire Station One into the Georgetown Art Center. Not only is this a great place to come explore artwork from local artists but just outside the Art Center is also a button-activated fountain for kids to cool off in during the hot Texas months. Restrooms are located in the Grace Heritage Center. Located at 816 S. Main Street.
San Jose Park Splash Pad – Opening in June 2015!
Hutto
Glenwood Splash Pad – Opens June 1 – Labor Day weekend. Daily hours from 10 am – 8 pm. To conserve water, this splash pad is activated by pressing a button. There is a shaded concrete pad for seating and portable restrooms close by. Located at 101 Fishbaugh Ln.
Leander
Water Playscape at Robin Bledsoe Park – Opens May 1st – September 30th. Daily hours from 9 am – 8 pm. This is a fully enclosed splash pad, with a gate. It is a zero depth water playscape with many different interactive water features. There are also restrooms and a playground close by. Located at 601 S. Bagdad Road.
Quarry Splash Pad – Opens on May 16th – September 7th. Daily hours are from 10am – 7pm. Admission is $2 per person (bring cash). This HUGE splash pad is great for children of all ages with fountains, spray cannons, a small water slide, and a large sand pit to play in. The Quarry Splash Pad recorded information line: 512-943-1919. Located at 3005 County Road 175 in Williamson County Regional Park.
Pflugerville
Falcon Pointe Splash Park – Opens May 1st – October 1st. Daily hours from 10:00am – 9:00 pm. This splash pad is button activated and a playground and restrooms are close by. Located at 1813 Tranquility Lane.
Northeast Metropolitan Park – Opens May 1st – September 30th. Daily hours from 10am – 7pm. Located at the far end of the park, behind the skate park. There is also a shaded sand pit, rock climbing wall, swings, and plenty of picnic tables nearby. Restrooms are located next to the water play area. Located at 2703 E. Pecan Street.
Round Rock
Main Street Prete Plaza – In the heart of downtown Round Rock, across the street from the public library, this shaded fountain is the perfect place to go after story time! There are tables and chairs in the plaza and plenty of room to run! Located at 221 E Main Street
Year-round hours:
- Sunday 7:30 am to 10 pm
- Monday – Thursday 7:30 to 11 am and 2 to 10 pm
- Friday 7:30 to 11 am and 2 to 11 pm
- Saturday 7:30 am to 11 pm
- The fountain is closed Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 pm.
- Fountain may also be closed during some holidays and special events that take place in Prete Plaza – refer to website for more information.
Pools & Water Holes
Lakeway Resort- Lakeway, TX
They don’t offer day passes all the time, but when they do, Lakeway Resort is a pretty spectacular experience. Not only is the pool heated in the winter, but they have full service, which means you can order food and drinks AND play! A great spot whether you are visiting or from Austin to spend the day… or weekend!
Volente Beach- Volente, TX
Family owned and operated, Volente Beach is located on Lake Travis just off of Volente Rd. They have water slides, sand volleyball, views of the lake, and picnic tables. Pack the ice chest, take some snacks, and spend the day at Volente Beach!
Krause Springs- Spicewood, TX
Tucked away in Spicewood, this natural water hole is GORGEOUS! If you’re not in the mood to hang out in the natural spring, they also have a man-made pool to swim in as well. You can camp for the weekend or go for the day, but either way, Krause Springs is a truly beautiful experience.
Barton Springs- Austin, TX
Barton Springs is great with kids or without kids and is a popular Austin hangout. It’s pretty cold, but what an awesome Austin staple that is a must try. Let the kids hangout on the lawn or go take a dip in the pool!
Hamilton Pool- Dripping Springs, TX
Off Hamilton Pool Rd., this is another beautiful must experience water hole. It’s absolutely gorgeous and we are incredibly lucky to have such beauty in our backyards! Take a day trip to Hamilton Pool!
Rockin’ River Family Aquatic Center – Round Rock, TX
The Rockin’ River water park is a little treasure, tucked away in Old Settlers Park, located at 3300 Palm Valley Blvd. Within the 40,000 square foot park, you will find a lazy river, water slides, and a water playground with a zero beach entry that includes tunnel showers, tipping buckets, and water cannons. They will be open the last two weekends of May and then daily from June 5th – August 23rd and then the last week of August and the first weekend of September. Hours vary, so check the website for more information. Tickets are $5 for kids 17 and under and $6 for 18+ (an additional $1/ticket for non-residents).
Micki Krebsbach Pool – Round Rock, TX
Arghhh Matey! The Micki Krebsbach Pool, located at 301 Deepwood Drive, has a beach entry and features a 26 foot long pirate ship that has places to climb, slide and shoot water cannons. Opens June 5th – August 23rd with daily hours from 1pm – 7pm; closed on Tuesdays. Tickets are $1.50 for kids 17 and under and $2.50 for 18+ (an additional $1/ticket for non-residents).
What’s your favorite Austin spot to cool off with the kids?!
***Please note that days and hours of operation are subject to change due to drought-related watering restrictions. Always check the location’s website before heading out.***
Good article! 🙂
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