Waco Surf

Waco

Water parks are fun, but there’s a constituency craving something edgier when it comes to aqua thrills, like surfing (see next page) and wakeboarding. Waco Surf has both. The 2.5-acre lagoon has done what no other human-made water enterprise in Texas has accomplished: It produces real swelling, curling, barreling waves that are consistent and fully formed. “It stands out as a training tool for mid- and top-level surfers looking to use the machine consistency to take the variable of wave quality out of the equation,” says pro surfer Morgan Faulkner, the director of Texas Surf Camps in Port Aransas.

Surfing gets top billing at Waco Surf, but the cable park—with ramps, jumps, and rails—is just as popular. There’s also a water park and a mile-long lazy river, which is the longest in Texas. And the surf shop, restaurant, and cabanas could be confused for a country club. Pro tip: Reservations to surf should be made weeks, if not months, in advance. Water park pass: $39 and up. Cable park pass: $49 and up. 5347 Old Mexia Road, Waco. wacosurf.com

Texas Ski Ranch

New Braunfels

One could call this 70-acre sports park action central. Texas Ski Ranch offers wakeboarders and water-skiers two lakes with cable tows, including the Lil Bro tow for beginners, and another with boat tows. Additional land-based amusements include paintball, ax-throwing, and a full bar. Wakeboarding pass: $65 for two hours. 6700 I-35 North, New Braunfels. 830-627-2843; texasskiranch.com

Fireside Surf

the colony

At Fireside Surf in The Colony near Dallas, an on-site pool uses Citywave technology to create waves up to 6 feet. It’s a great way for beginners to learn to hang 10. There’s also live music, a miniature golf course, and a surf-centric menu—ceviche, coconut shrimp, and fish tacos—along with craft beers and a full bar. Surf sessions start at $75. 5772 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony. 833-579-7873; firesidesurf.com

Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort

New Braunfels

Opened in 1979 by the Henry family, who constructed a whimsical castle with four waterslides, Schlitterbahn has been named the No. 1 water park in the world for 24 years in a row by Amusement Today. The park is now home to 51 river rides, slides, and chutes. It isn’t just the huge size that makes it special, though. No other water park compares to Schlitterbahn’s scenic setting on the banks of the Comal River, where water recreation dates to the 19th century.

The Cedar Fair Entertainment Company bought Schlitterbahn in 2019 and has invested $2 million in the new Schatze’s Storybrook Park for children 12 and under. The play area has multiple waterslides and more than 70 interactive features, including the world’s first water coaster for kids. General admission: $50. 400 N. Liberty Ave., New Braunfels. 830-625-2351;
schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels

Splashway

Sheridan

There’s a camp vibe at this water park located 90 miles west of Houston. The park’s newest feature, the dueling Splash Blaster coasters, stands out among the array of tubes and slides, wave pools, and splash pads. When you want to dry off, there’s laser tag, miniature golf, pedal carts, a cycling trail, and live music on summer weekends. Many guests stay overnight in the adjacent campground and rental cabins. Tickets: $46 and up. 5211 Main St., Sheridan. 979-234-7718; splashway.com

NRH20 Family Water Park

North Richland Hills

Close to 6 million people have visited the first municipal water park in Texas since it opened in 1995. The 17-acre park has 23 attractions, including Viper, a 20-foot mega tube that turns into a funnel before ending in a drop pool. Coming next year: Nitro Blast, a dueling water coaster outfitted with powerful water propulsion technology. Tickets: $29 and up.
9001 Blvd. 26, North Richland Hills. 817-427-6500; nrh2o.com

Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex

Carrollton

Ye olde community pool ain’t what it used to be. For the past three decades, Texas towns, cities, and suburbs have increasingly upgraded water recreation options by opening and operating water park-swimming pool hybrids that serve families and serious swimmers. Carrollton’s Rosemeade Rainforest, reimagined and renovated four years ago, has all the elements of a modern community-operated aquatic center.

The kid-friendly rainforest features a 600-gallon dump bucket, a 200-foot lazy river, a zero-depth entry pool, a splash pad, a diving pool with diving boards, and two 22-foot waterslides, along with a lap pool and activity pool. “We’re family-focused, more of a play-type water park,” explains Kim Bybee, the Carrollton parks director. “But we have a youth swim team that trains here, as well as adult-age competitors.”

Special events scheduled throughout the summer include Shipwreck, a pirate-themed party night with games and activities; Cinema Swim night; and the Pooch Pool Party, where dogs are invited to join their humans for a dip. Admission: $5 and up. 1334 E. Rosemeade Parkway, Carrollton. 972-466-6399, cityofcarrollton.com

Cactus Aquatic Park

Cactus

This compact water park and pool punches above its weight, serving as a summer hangout not just for the town of Cactus (pop. 3,050), but for Moore County and the whole Panhandle. Grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife and JBS Foods, a major employer in Moore County, helped build this $4 million facility that opened in 2022. The aquatic park has all the essential play amenities: a splash pad, spray features, open-air and closed slides, a climbing wall, diving boards, and a lap pool. General admission: $5. 600 North Drive, Cactus. 806-966-5987

Pharr Aquatic Center & Natatorium

Pharr

This city in Hidalgo County is home to two swimming options—one indoor, ideal for when scorching heat and humidity restrict outdoor play. The Pharr Aquatic Center has four waterslides, tubes, splash pads, spray cannons, mega soakers, and a lazy river. And 3 miles north, the Pharr Natatorium has a 50-meter competition pool and diving pool. Aquatic center admission: $2 for adults; $1 for kids. Natatorium membership: $30 and up/month. pharr-tx.gov/parks-recreation/aquatic-center; pharr-tx.gov/parks-recreation/natatorium

Marriott marquis

Houston

Lazy rivers promise the mellowest of human-made water experiences—just a nice, indulgent drift in a tube or an easy swim down the waterway. Altitude Rooftop & Pool’s lazy river on the sixth floor of the Marriott Marquis earns top honors for its channel in the outline of Texas and its “Miami-meets-Vegas, Texas style,” says Allen Hunt, the hotel’s director of recreation. “The lazy river has put us on the map in Texas and internationally. I don’t think anyone realized how popular it would be.”

There are DJs and live music on weekends. It takes about 17 minutes to circumnavigate the lazy river, and there are just enough curves and twists to make things interesting—though you may get caught in a back eddy making that 45-degree hard turn at El Paso. Rooms start at $350. A limited number of day passes are available Mon-Thu for $40 and up. 1777 Walker St., Houston.
713-654-7777; marriott.com

Riders Field Lazy River

Frisco

One lap around this lazy river is 400 feet, which isn’t a lot compared to other lazy rivers. But the 68,000-gallon capacity—eight times as much as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pool at Chase Field—makes Riders Field’s lazy river, perched above right field at the baseball park, the largest water feature in a pro sports venue. BYO towels. Tickets: $25 on Thursdays; $41 on Sundays. 7300 Rough Riders Trail, Frisco. 972-334-1993; milb.com/frisco/tickets/lazyriver

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

San Antonio

Enjoy a Hill Country getaway at this family-friendly resort with an expanse of pools, five slides, a sandy beach, and a recreation of the Pedernales River. The main attraction is the 1,100-foot lazy river, which takes you on a relaxing ride through the 9-acre water park. Rooms start at $400. Water park day passes: $75 and up for adults; $60 and up for kids. 23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio. 210-276-2500; marriott.com