Water Adventures with Kids
We pulled these 235 water adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Texas, New York, Hawaii and Oklahoma. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.
Showing 48 of 235 adventures — pick a state above for the full list
Padre Island National Seashore
Corpus Christi, TX
Camping70 miles of wild beach with sea turtle releases and shell hunting. Paid entry. Best from about age …
White Rock Lake
Dallas, TX
Biking9.4-mile paved biking loop around a scenic Dallas lake. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine
Grapevine, TX
SwimmingIndoor water park hotel in Grapevine kept at 84 degrees year-round, with body slides, a wave pool, a …
Little Elm Beach
Little Elm, TX
SwimmingSandy lake beach on Lewisville Lake with roped swim area and free life jacket loans. Free. Best from …
Cleburne State Park
Cleburne, TX
CampingNo-wake lake for safe paddling and swimming near Fort Worth. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Guadalupe River at Horseshoe Falls
Comfort, TX
SwimmingNatural horseshoe waterfall on the Guadalupe River near Comfort. Free. Best from about age 3. About …
Good Water Trail
Georgetown, TX
Hiking26-mile lakeside trail with canyon overlooks and Hill Country terrain. Free. Best from about age 5. …
Johnny Broyles Nature Trail
Little Elm, TX
HikingPaved 2.7-mile nature trail along Lake Lewisville in Little Elm. Free. Works from toddler age. About …
Meridian State Park
Meridian, TX
CampingCCC-era lake park with screened shelters and paddleboating. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
New Caney, TX
Hiking20 miles of forest trails and camping close to Houston. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Pilot Point, TX
CampingSandy beach swimming, kids fishing pond, and lakeside camping at Ray Roberts Lake - a big North …
Jacob's Well Natural Area
Wimberley, TX
SwimmingCrystal-clear artesian spring swimming hole in Wimberley TX - swimming requires advance online …
Green Lakes State Park
Fayetteville, NY
SwimmingSwim in Caribbean-blue glacial lakes at Green Lakes State Park near Syracuse NY - sandy lifeguarded …
Kaaterskill Falls Trail
Haines Falls, NY
HikingThe tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State at 260 feet. Free. Best from about age 5. About …
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Sundown, NY
SwimmingStunning blue-green natural swimming hole with waterfall in the Catskill forest. Free. Best from …
Taughannock Falls State Park
Trumansburg, NY
HikingEasy walk to a 215-foot waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Burnham Point State Park
Cape Vincent, NY
CampingQuiet waterfront campground where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River. Paid entry. Works from …
Seneca Lake State Park
Geneva, NY
SwimmingLakefront park with splash pad, playground, and marina on Seneca Lake. Paid entry. Works from …
Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton, NY
SwimmingLifeguarded sandy beach, easy nature trails, and shore fishing at Grafton Lakes State Park near Troy …
Hearthstone Point Campground
Lake George, NY
CampingWaterfront state campground on Lake George close to the village. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Lake Placid Public Beach
Lake Placid, NY
SwimmingFree sandy village beach on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid NY with summer lifeguards, a roped …
Robert Moses State Park (Massena)
Massena, NY
SwimmingRiver beach, nature center, and ship-watching on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Paid entry. Works from …
Grimes Glen Park
Naples, NY
HikingWade up a fossil-filled creek to reach two hidden waterfalls in a narrow gorge. Free. Best from …
Delta Lake State Park
Rome, NY
Swimming900-foot sandy swimming beach on Delta Lake in central New York. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Na Pali Coast Boat Tour
Eleele, HI
NatureBoat tour along 4,000-foot sea cliffs with waterfalls, sea caves, and dolphins. Paid entry. Best …
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Honolulu, HI
SwimmingSnorkel with colorful fish in a volcanic crater bay with protected reef. Paid entry. Best from about …
Wailua River Kayaking
Kapaa, HI
KayakingKayak up a jungle river to a 120-foot hidden waterfall with swimming. Paid entry. Best from about …
Poipu Beach Park
Koloa, HI
SwimmingAmerica's Best Beach with a protected keiki pool, monk seals, and sunny south shore weather. Free. …
Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail
Captain Cook, HI
SnorkelingSteep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages …
Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
Hana, HI
SwimmingCascading waterfall pools flowing from jungle to ocean in Haleakala National Park. Paid entry. Best …
Kahalu'u Beach Park
Kailua-Kona, HI
SwimmingBest beginner snorkeling on the Kona Coast with shallow reef and sea turtles. Free. Best from about …
Spouting Horn
Koloa, HI
NatureNatural ocean blowhole shooting water through a lava tube with an eerie moan. Free. Works from …
Hulopo'e Beach Park
Lanai City, HI
SwimmingPristine marine preserve beach with dolphins, snorkeling, and amazing tide pools. Free. Works from …
Kauai Tubing Adventure
Lihue, HI
TubingFloat through century-old plantation tunnels on inner tubes with headlamps. Paid entry. Best from …
Queen's Bath
Princeville, HI
HikingDramatic ocean-filled lava pool for experienced families in calm conditions only. Free. Better for …
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Waimea (Big Island), HI
SwimmingBig Island's best white sand beach with crystal-clear water on the sunny Kohala Coast. Paid entry. …
Beavers Bend State Park
Broken Bow, OK
HikingOklahoma's premier family state park with trails and river access in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid …
Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow, OK
SwimmingCrystal-clear 14,000-acre mountain lake with calm swimming coves and 180 miles of shoreline. Free. …
Robbers Cave State Park Camping and Cabins
Wilburton, OK
CampingClassic Oklahoma state park with campgrounds, cabins and a real outlaw cave in the sandstone bluffs …
Beavers Bend Marina
Broken Bow, OK
KayakingPontoon and boat rentals on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Broken Bow Lake Paddleboarding
Broken Bow, OK
PaddleboardingStand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Better for …
Evening Hole Fishing Area
Broken Bow, OK
FishingPopular family fishing pier on the Mountain Fork River with trout and bass. Paid entry. Best from …
Mountain Fork River Kayaking
Broken Bow, OK
KayakingKayak and canoe rentals on the crystal-clear Mountain Fork River near Beavers Bend. Paid entry. Best …
Mountain Fork River Tubing
Broken Bow, OK
TubingGentle family river float through the Ouachita Mountains on the Mountain Fork River. Paid entry. …
Clayton Lake State Park Camping
Clayton, OK
CampingSmall quiet state park in the Kiamichi Mountains with lakeside campsites, a few cabins and some of …
Hugo Lake State Park Camping
Hugo, OK
CampingQuiet lakeside state park camping on Hugo Lake, a calmer alternative to Beavers Bend about 90 …
Pine Creek Lake Camping
Valliant, OK
CampingBasic Army Corps campgrounds on a quiet reservoir west of Broken Bow, for families who want an empty …
Lake Wister State Park Camping
Wister, OK
CampingShoreline camping areas and cabins on Lake Wister in the Ouachita foothills, an easy pairing with …