It’s once again that glorious time of year, also known as Splash Pad Season! If you’ve made it through at least one Austin summer – or even early fall – then you know how hot it can be. You’ll also remember how much your little ones still wanted to be outside. The splash pad is the perfect way for kids of all ages to cool off while simultaneously burning off all that youthful energy.

The great news is that no matter where you live in Austin or the surrounding areas, there is a splash pad close to you. This city has a ton of them and the majority of them are free and open daily. So pack up the kids, apply that sunscreen and don’t forget your own bathing suit so you can jump in on the fun this summer!

Here is a list of the best Austin splash pads!

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Cedar Park

Brushy Creek Splash Pad at Brushy Creek Lake Park

• Address: 3300 Brushy Creek Rd., Cedar Park
• Schedule: Opens daily starting May 1 from 9 am to 8 pm

This splash pad is large and fenced-in – but not shaded. That being said, there are plenty of areas to find shade within the park. Bathrooms are close by for quick potty breaks and are usually kept pretty clean. Plenty of free parking as well.

The whole park is connected to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail and there is a lake, a playground, a hike and bike trail,  a nature trail, an exercise station, picnic tables with BBQ grills, and a sand volleyball courts as well.

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 Splash Pad at Champion Park

• Address: 3830 Brushy Creek Rd., Cedar Park
• Schedule: Set for May 19 and open on weekends only. I was told that it may be delayed or not running this summer due to maintenance issues. Stay tuned for an update!
• Price: Free

Champion Park is another option in Cedar Park that has a cute splash pad that runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It appears to be a quieter and less chaotic option compared to the Brushy Creek Splash Pad nearby.

The splash pad itself is small and designed like a blue whale that spouts off water to cool off the hot children (and adults!). It is not covered but there is a shaded pavilion with tables nearby. Champion Park also has a covered children’s play area with castings of dinosaur bones for children to uncover and some climbing boulders.

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Quarry Splash Pad at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park

• Address: 3005 County Rd. 175, Leander
• Schedule: Opens daily starting May 19 from 10 am to 7 pm 
• Price: $2 per person; it’s cash only and payment is accepted at an automated pay station

True to its name, this splash pad is designed to look like it was carved out of a rock quarry. It’s also large, so there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy this summer without it feeling overcrowded. Because it’s big and winding, parents who want to keep an eye on their kids may find themselves getting soaked as they navigate the pad. Best to bring a suit and sunscreen for yourself!

Bathrooms are close by and there is an on-site park attendant during the splash pad hours. You can also find shade in seated areas around the pad to watch your kiddos play.

The actual park itself is massive. It’s got soccer fields, softball fields, a football field, several tennis courts, basketball courts and a playscape.

When splash pad time is over, you can take a ride on the Cedar Rock Railroad miniature train, too. The train costs $2.75 for anyone over the age of one and (credit cards are accepted) and runs :15 and :45 after each hour.

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Leander

Robin Bledsoe Park Splash Pad

• Address: 601 S Bagdad Rd., Leander
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 1 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

Located in Leander, this splash pad is fenced-in and combines different water features, ground sprays and overhead buckets to help park guests of all ages stay cool this summer.

Last year the city upgraded the splash pad surface to a new and blue bonded rubber surface.There are plenty of tables in nearby shade but the pad itself is not shaded. Bathrooms aren’t too far away and you can enjoy other activities in the 16-acre park, including a playscape, swimming pool, pavilion (available for rental), and walking trail.

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Hutto

Glenwood Splash Pad

• Address: 101 Fishbaugh Ln., Hutto
• Schedule: Opens daily starting  June 1 from 10 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

This splash pad is located in the Glenwood neighborhood in Hutto. It may not be the most elaborate splash pad but you can bet it gets the job done on those hot summer days.

It’s a circular feature about 25’ in diameter with both raised and ground spray features. For parents who aren’t interested in getting wet, there’s a shaded concrete area for seating – but you’ll need to bring your own blanket or chair.

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Round Rock

Main Street Plaza Fountain (also called the Prete Plaza Fountain)

• Address: 221 E. Main St., Round Rock
• Schedule: It’s open! Daily from 7:30 am to 10 pm, closed Wednesdays 3 pm to 10 pm and some Saturday mornings (see schedule here).
• Price: Free

This is a simple pad with fountains shooting up from the ground. It’s uncovered and part of a larger plaza that features a performance stage and cool lighting feature. There are shaded grassy areas to lounge in and keep an eye on the little ones while they run through the fountain.

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Plugerville 

Falcon Pointe Splash Park

• Address: 1813 Tranquility Ln., Pflugerville
• Schedule: Open Daily starting May 1 from 10 am to 9 pm
• Price: Free

This isn’t just any old splash pad in Pflugerville – it’s a splash park! It’s located in the Falcon Pointe neighborhood but available to all city residents. Visitors say it’s rarely overcrowded and that parking is available on side streets. The different pads have a variety of water features and it appears to be mostly covered with canopies for some nice shade when you need a break from the sun.

A unisex restroom is available on site. There’s no lifeguard and children under nine years of age need to be with an adult. If your child is over the splash pad there is also an unshaded playground and trails to explore.

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Splash Pad at Northeast Metropolitan Skate Park

• Address: 15500 Sun Light Near Way, Pflugerville
• Schedule: Open May 1 from 10 am to 7 pm
• Price: Free

The splash pad/water play feature here seems to be a hidden gem since the park is not that well known. It is on the smaller side but colorful and has ground jets and rings to run through. It’s located right next to the skate park on the park grounds.

It could be great for the little ones who need a break from the other park activities. Visitors say it’s always very clean and restrooms are located right next to the pad.

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Austin (North)

Bailey Splash Pad at Bailey Park 

• Address: 1101 W. 33rd St., Austin,
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: FREE

People say to be prepared to get soaked at this Bryker Woods neighborhood splash pad. It’s located inside Bailey Park, a great park that also has a shady picnic area, volleyball court, and softball field.

Parking options will be on the street and bathrooms are available and open to the public. Bring your sunscreen because the splash pad isn’t shaded.

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Austin (East)

Bartholomew Splash Pad at Bartholomew Municipal Pool

• Address: 5200 Berkman Dr., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

The splash pad and accompanying pools have all been recently renovated. The pad is separated by the pool and in its own area by the playground – which means the babes can run back and forth between the playscape and the splash pad with ease.

If you show up and the water is not already on – there is a button that you must press that turns the pad on for 30 minutes at a time (gotta conserve that water!). The playscape is shaded and surrounded by a concrete wall, which makes a handy place to sit with a towel while your child has a blast getting soaking wet.

There is a parking lot that should fit everyone and separate men and women’s bathrooms close to the splash pad as well.

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Chestnut Splash Pad at Chestnut Pocket Park

• Address: 1404 East 16th St., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

The Chestnut splash pad and accompanying playground are simple, shaded in spots and without a doubt, it will keep your kids cool and happy this summer. The splash pad itself has rounded consists of several ground fountains that shoot out like jets at various heights. It’s unshaded but there is a covered pavilion with tables nearby and trees all around that will provide more shade as they grow taller.

Unless it’s been updated recently, the bathrooms seem to be portable (but I hear they’re kept clean). You’ll find street parking available as well.

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Rosewood Splash Pad at Rosewood Park

• Address: 1182 Pleasant Valley, Austin
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

The Rosewood splash pad is a ton of fun, with various types of water features at different heights that cover a good area so no one feels crowded even if many people show up. It is partially covered with canopies so you can find bits of shade on the pad. The only gripe is that there isn’t a ton of nearby lounging area to hang if you don’t want to be on the actual splash pad. 

You’ll find it between the tennis courts and the pool. Visitors say there is plenty of parking and if you don’t want to use the portable toilets nearby you can check out the ones in the recreation center nearby.

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Lott Splash Pad at Lott Pocket Park

• Address: 1108 Curves St., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily May starting 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

The splash pad is located in Lott Pocket Park and is a circular pad with jets shooting up from the ground. Even though it is on the simple side, everyone who goes there seems to have a great time and enjoys the fact that it’s a little neighborhood hidden gem.

The splash pad itself is unshaded (so bring the sunscreen) but there is a covered area nearby and plenty of big trees over the playground. Parking is on the street.

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Metz Splash Pad

• Address: 2400 Canterbury St., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily May starting 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

The splash pad is located at the Metz Park and Recreation Center. The pad is colorful with several types of water features including ground jets and tubing. There is a lot of open space nearby and plenty of grassy areas to put down a blanket.

At certain times of the day some shade will fall over the splash pad otherwise it’s pretty unshaded. There are unshaded picnic tables nearby the pad and shaded ones closer to the playground if you need a break from the sun. Bathrooms are available in the recreation center and there is a parking lot available.

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Austin (West)

Pease Park Splash Pad 

• Address: 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily May starting 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

What the Pease Park Splash Pad lacks in size, it makes up in cool water features for all ages and its overall proximity to downtown Austin. You’ll find the splash pad at the southern end of Pease Park, close to West 15th street. 

The pad will turn itself off every 15 minutes and needs to be restarted by pressing a button on top of a purple pillar at the edge of the water play area. There isn’t a lot of shade on the splash pad itself but there seems to be a good amount over the playground nearby. 

Pease Park is a large park and there are lots of other activities to consider if you need a break from the splash pad. There are a couple of great playscapes that are mostly shaded from large trees as well. The team at Austin Parks and Rec does a great job of maintaining the park and splash pad and keeping the bathrooms clean. Parking is a little limited so prepared to street park. 

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Eastwoods Splash Pad at Eastwoods Park

• Address: 3001 Harris Park Blvd., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

The splash pad at Eastwoods Park covers a lot of ground so no one will feel cramped! It’s got six different fountains, including some that jet from the ground and others from features. Picnic tables and other sitting areas are shaded and available around the pad for parents to take advantage of and there are bathrooms nearby.

The park also has two playgrounds, a basketball court, and a tennis court if you feel like changing it up!

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Clarksville Splash Pad at Clarksville Park

• Address: 1811 W 11th St., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily May starting 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

Patrons of the splash pad at Clarksville Park love it because it’s rarely overcrowded and has the right amount of water features and “splash” for the toddler/pre-school crowd (though any age can enjoy it, certainly!). Street parking is available and will only be tough to find when it gets busy. There is shade, seating around the pad and an attached playground and easily accessible bathrooms nearby.

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Austin (South)

Liz Carpenter Splash Pad

• Address: 1000 Barton Springs Rd., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9 am -to 9:45 pm
• Price: Free 

This pad is also sometimes referred to as the Liz Carpenter Fountain because its large circular design is made up of many ground jets that make it look like an artsy fountain. It’s big and there are a lot of jets so kids (and adults) should come prepared to get wet and wild. 

There is no shade directly over the pad but there are plenty of trees around in the park to keep you out of the sun on a hot day. Liz Carpenter is very centrally located and makes going to grab a snack or a meal before/after splashing around totally easy. The trickier part is finding free parking (you may end up having to pay at the Palmer Events Center parking lot nearby). 

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Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad

• Address:1100 Brodie St., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9 am to 8 pm
• Price: Free

This South Austin splash pad is really popular due in large part to the shade that covers most of the pad. It’s got a huge variety of water features which keeps it packed with kids of all ages. They tend to do well playing together but the smaller tots may need to keep an eye out for the big guys running past.

There is plenty of grassy and shady areas nearby the pad to lay out a blanket and have a picnic, but actual seating around the pad is limited. Parents might want to prepare to get wet as the water features and cannons can shoot pretty far.

Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood and bathrooms are right next to the pad.

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Dick Nichols Splash Fountain at Dick Nichols District Park

• Address: 8011 Beckett Rd., Austin
• Schedule: Open daily starting May 14 from 9am – 8pm
• Price: Free

Dick Nichols Park itself is fairly large with big oak trees and a great playground that’s shaded as well. The splash pad is adjacent to the play area and more of a splash fountain – or a large seal that spurts water out of its mouth when you press a button. This makes it a great option if you have plans to be at the park and want a second to cool off, but you and the kids probably won’t leave soaked.

Restrooms are nearby and parking is plentiful! 

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Bee Cave

Bee Cave Galleria Splash Pad

• Address: 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave
• Schedule: Open now! Daily from 9 am to 9 pm 
• Price: Free

This is a fairly modern looking splash pad – it’s a long narrow rectangle with ground jets that shoot up at a great height so kids of pretty much all ages can get soaked. The kids can sort of do a long run through the whole thing or dart in and out if they want. 

There are tables with umbrellas set up right next to the pad for parents and a grassy knoll where you can lay out blankets on the other side.  One of the nice perks about the location is that you can grab something to eat – or even a glass or bottle of wine – and take it to the pad to let your child/children play while you get a break.

Keep an eye on the Hill Country Galleria’s Facebook page with changes to the splash pad schedule. Sometimes they need to turn it off for maintenance and they’ll give you a heads up. 

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Buda

Splash Pad at Green Meadows Park (under construction)

• Address: 2357 Green Meadows Ln., Buda
• Schedule: Anticipated opening in June
• Price: N/A

The 1,400 square foot splash pad in Green Meadows Park was approved by the Buda City Council in January and should be up and running by June, according to a report from KXAN. 

The pad should have 19 water features, including water tunnels, spray jets, geysers and “side winders” – which sound cool, whatever they are! The water will be treated and the water features can be activated with the press of a button. Hours of availability are still being determined. 

The report says that a bathroom will be built on site as well, good news for everyone. Keep us updated, Buda Moms!