Subscribe to San Antonio Mom Blogs’ newsletter to get our
Top 3 Free Recommended Events for Families each week:
A special thank you to the following photographers who graciously allowed us to use their splash pad photos for this post! top: Schertz Family Fun, bottom left: Hemisfair, bottom right: RC French Photography
Splash pads in San Antonio used to be a rare sight, which is crazy when you think about how blazingly hot it gets here during the summer. Thankfully, more and more splash pads are popping up in and around the Alamo City to keep us and our kiddos cool. There are also plenty of pools and waterparks around town too, providing lots of fun opportunities to get wet!
Free Splash Pads in and around San Antonio:
Yanaguana Garden’s splash pad at Hemisfair Park
This beautiful and popular park, located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, opened last fall so this is the first summer San Antonio can really enjoy their awesome splash pad. A great feature of this splash pad is the nearby changing rooms and restrooms. And, when you’re done in the water, there are many places to sit, play, and chill out while you dry off.
The Pearl Splash Pad
Located near The Twig, this new (and somewhat small) splash pad welcomes children attending the popular weekend Farmer’s Market or any day, really. It’s a fun place where parents can sit nearby to chat and sip coffee while kids cool off in the spray.
Fischer Park Sprayground, New Braunfels
Last year, Fischer Park in New Braunfels added an amazing Sprayground. It’s getting rave reviews from kids and parents, including our friend, Lisa, at Schertz Family Fun, who visited Fischer Park’s splash pad last year and took a few photos. We love the eco-friendly aspect of this splash pad: the runoff from the Sprayground gets captured in the nearby fishing ponds and reused for the park’s irrigation. This splash pad is free to visit but, according to Lisa, if you are not a New Braunfels resident and you decide to eat at one of the park’s picnic tables, you may receive a $10 charge.
Pearsall Park Splash Pad
The brand-new splash pad at Pearsall Park, which opens to the public on June 11 during the Pearsall Park Grand Opening Celebration and Free Fit Pass Dash 5K, is the largest splash pad in San Antonio! Clean, modern restroom and changing room facilities located right by the splash pad, as are picnic tables, a new playground, a skate park, and sweeping views behind the playground.
Photo: courtesy of the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department.
Park West splash pad in Seguin
Like the splash pad at Yanaguana Garden, this splash pad debuted last October on the corner of San Antonio Street and North Vaughan Avenues in Sequin. The splash pad’s claim to fame is its prevalent shade, located right next to it, providing parents who don’t want to get wet with a way to stay cool while watching their kids.
Bulverde Community Park splash pad
Located at 29815 Bulverde Lane in Bulverde, TX (78163), this splash pad lets kids control the water feature. Plenty of shade and a playscape are both nearby.
Free pools in and around San Antonio:
The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department offers free swimming at 24 outdoor area pools. Check back for 2018 dates and times.
2017 hours/dates
All 24 will be open during the following hours:
Open Swim:
Tuesday – Thursday 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Lap Swim
Tuesday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
They’re also offering free swimming lessons (while spots last) at most of their area pools.
The Natatorium, an indoor pool, is available for a small fee and is open year round. Visit the Natatorium’s website for days/times and rates.
More splash pads and pools in and around San Antonio
(these do charge fees):
The Sequin Aquatic Center Wave Pool
The Seguin Aquatic Center is located in Max Starcke Park East. The center features a 15,000 square foot wave pool with a zero-depth beach type entry, a splash pool, raindrop mushroom. For days/times the pool is open and for fees, visit the Sequin Aquatic Center’s website.
Josh Davis Natatorium & Bill Walker Pool
12002 Jones Maltsberger Road (78216)
George Block Aquatics Center
7001 Culebra Road, 78238
NISD Natatorium
8400 N Loop 1604 W, 78249
Northside Swim Center
8400 N Loop 1604 W, 78249
YMCA Schertz Splash Pad
This member’s only splash pad is 1,000 square feet. There is no pool at this location.
YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park
The Braundera YMCA offers members the use of its 2,000 square foot splash pad. And it includes a swimming pool.
These YMCA locations also offer pools and swimming lessons:
Davis-Scott
New Braunfels
Thousand Oaks
Walzem
Westside
Waterparks, resort pools, and slides in and around San Antonio:
Aquatica San Antonio
For the first time ever, guests can purchase annual passes to Aquatica without having to purchase a SeaWorld member pass too. After an initial payment of $25 per pass, monthly payments are just $7.27 a month for 12 months for Aquatica.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Your season pass or membership to Six Flags Fiesta Texas includes use of their waterpark.
Splashtown
With 45 water attractions and rides, Splashtown guarantees a day filled with wet and cool fun. Annual passes start at just $49.99 each when purchasing four or more. Kids under 2 are free.
Schlitterbahn
Voted the World’s Best Waterpark by Amusement Today, Schlitterbahn boasts the hottest, coolest time in Texas with a wave pool, slides, and tubing on the Comal River.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort
This luxury property, great for family staycations, just added two super cool, very steep new water slides, a zero-entry pool, and a 6,000 gallon hot tub. For guests of the resort only.
La Cantera Resort
This newly renovated Hill Country gem offers five pools (one for adults only) as well as private poolside cabanas for rent. Kids will love the pool designed just for them which includes a splash area for toddlers and two water slides. For guests of the resort only.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort boasts a 5-acre waterpark which includes a Ramblin’ River, a 22′ water slide, and a thrill-seeker’s dream called the FlowRider wave ride. For resort guests only.
Austin area splash pads and cool pools:
If you’re in the mood for a road trip to find some of Texas’ coolest splash pads and pools, our friends at Free Fun in Austin have you covered!
Cool Pools In Austin: Waterslides, Spraygrounds & Lazy Rivers!
Free Splash Pads In Austin And Beyond
Follow Colleen Pence and San Antonio Mom Blogs!
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Flipboard | G+
And, don’t miss:
Thank you thank you thank you so much for writing and compiling this list! I used to live in austin where splash pads were everywhere.. since moving to san antonio, ive been looking for splash pads for nearly 2 years now. .resigned that they must not be a thing in San Antonio. Now im so excited for this summer! !
Hi, Nina! I’m so happy you’re finding this list to be helpful. I’m often envious of the large number of splash pads in Austin. I’m thrilled to see San Antonio is finally adding some for summer time play!
I have to agree I have been on San Antonio for a yr were a family of 9 just had move from Austin were there are splashpads everywhere!!
Thanks for the write up! Splashtown season passes are only $49.99 each when you purchase 4 or more not $55. You can also buy any number of them at HEB for only $49.99 or discounted tickets!
Also Splashtown has over 45 rides and attractions not 23.