Splash pads & water play
Splash pads, wading creeks, swimming holes, and pools. Water is the best answer to a Texas summer afternoon.
Season note: Most of these are seasonal. Austin's city splash pads closed after Oct 31 and are expected back around May 1; Buda's run Memorial Day to Labor Day, Kyle's closed for the season Sep 6, and pools and swimming holes keep their own summer seasons. Check each page's hours notes before you load up the car.
In and around Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs addresses, plus spots about 20 minutes or less from the center of town. Ages 0–5 first.
Founders Memorial Park
Park · Dripping Springs
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 5 min from Dripping Springs
Route 12 Filling Station
Restaurant / brewery · Dripping Springs
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
$$Indoor + outdoor about 10 min from Dripping Springs
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Park · Dripping Springs
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
$$Outdoor about 25 min from Dripping Springs
Milton Reimers Ranch Park
Park · Dripping Springs
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
Under $10Outdoor about 25 min from Dripping Springs
Worth the drive
SW Austin, Bee Cave, Wimberley, Driftwood, and nearby towns.
Blue Hole Regional Park
Park · Wimberley
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 25 min from Dripping Springs
Luci and Ian Family Garden at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Park · SW Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
$$Outdoor about 25 min from Dripping Springs
Pedernales Falls State Park
Park · Nearby towns
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
Under $10Outdoor about 25 min from Dripping Springs
Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
Trail · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
Under $10Outdoor about 25 min from Dripping Springs
Dick Nichols District Park
Park · SW Austin
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 30 min from Dripping Springs
A.B. Dittmar Neighborhood Park
Park · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 35 min from Dripping Springs
Buda Amphitheater & City Park
Park · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 35 min from Dripping Springs
James A. Garrison District Park
Park · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 35 min from Dripping Springs
La Verde Park
Playground · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
FreeOutdoor about 35 min from Dripping Springs
Green Meadows Park
Playground · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
FreeOutdoor about 40 min from Dripping Springs
Gregg-Clarke Park
Park · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 40 min from Dripping Springs
Mansfield Dam Park
Park · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
Under $10Outdoor about 40 min from Dripping Springs
Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad
Swim & splash · Austin · Seasonal
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
FreeOutdoor about 40 min from Dripping Springs
Steeplechase Park
Park · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 40 min from Dripping Springs
Little Stacy Neighborhood Park
Park · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
FreeOutdoor about 45 min from Dripping Springs
McKinney Falls State Park
Park · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
Under $10Outdoor about 45 min from Dripping Springs
Pease Park (Kingsbury Commons)
Park · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 45 min from Dripping Springs
Bartholomew District Park
Park · Austin
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
FreeOutdoor about 50 min from Dripping Springs
San Marcos Activity Center
Swim & splash · Nearby towns
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–12
Under $10Indoor about 50 min from Dripping Springs