Water Adventures with Kids in Texas

We pulled these 90 water adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Texas. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.

90 adventures found

River Legacy Parks

Arlington, TX

Hiking
Ages 2–18+ Free

1,300-acre park with paved trails and mountain biking along the Trinity River. Free. Works from …

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Austin, TX

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Free

12 miles of creek trails with swimming holes and bouldering in Austin. Free. Best from about age 5. …

Bull Creek Greenbelt

Austin, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Free

Shallow limestone creek pools perfect for toddler wading. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Austin, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Sandy Lake Austin swimming beach and lakeside camping inside Austin city limits - entry $5-$10 per …

Lady Bird Lake

Austin, TX

Kayaking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Kayaking and paddleboarding on calm water through downtown Austin. Paid entry. Best from about age …

McKinney Falls State Park

Austin, TX

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Two limestone waterfalls with wading pools inside Austin city limits. Paid entry. Best from about …

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

Austin, TX

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Peaceful woodland trails with a waterfall and nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. …

Balmorhea State Park

Balmorhea, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Crystal-clear 1.75-acre spring-fed pool with snorkeling in West Texas. Paid entry. Best from about …

Blanco State Park

Blanco, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Small-town river swimming and tubing perfect for young children. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …

Lake Brownwood State Park

Brownwood, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

CCC cabins and swim beach with fishing pier on Lake Brownwood. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Reveille Peak Ranch

Burnet, TX

Rock-Climbing
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Granite bouldering and mountain biking near Burnet. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full …

Possum Kingdom State Park

Caddo, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Clear blue lake swimming and canyon trail hiking. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day …

Canyon Lake Gorge

Canyon Lake, TX

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Paid

Guided tours through a limestone gorge with dinosaur tracks and fossils. Paid entry. Better for ages …

McKinney Roughs Nature Park

Cedar Creek, TX

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

1,100 acres with horseback riding and river trails along the Colorado. Paid entry. Best from about …

Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill, TX

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Family-friendly state park on Joe Pool Lake just 20 minutes from Dallas - swimming, hiking, camping, …

Brushy Creek Regional Trail

Cedar Park, TX

Biking
Ages 2–18+ Free

14-mile paved trail with playgrounds connecting Cedar Park and Round Rock. Free. Works from toddler …

Cleburne State Park

Cleburne, TX

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

No-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

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Free

Natural horseshoe waterfall on the Guadalupe River near Comfort. Free. Best from about age 3. About …

Cooper Lake State Park

Cooper, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Uncrowded lakeside camping with swim beach in Northeast Texas. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Daingerfield State Park

Daingerfield, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Stunning fall foliage and family lake swimming at a hidden East Texas gem - camping, fishing, …

Reimers Ranch Park

Dripping Springs, TX

Rock-Climbing
Ages 6–18+ Paid

Premier Central Texas rock climbing with 18 miles of trails. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A …

Purtis Creek State Park

Eustace, TX

Fishing
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Stocked catch-and-release lake where kids always catch fish. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Northshore Trail

Flower Mound, TX

Mountain-Biking
Ages 6–18+ Free

26 miles of lakeside singletrack mountain biking trails. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day …

Trinity Trails

Fort Worth, TX

Biking
Ages 2–18+ Free

Over 100 miles of paved family-friendly trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth - free biking, …

Frisco Central Park

Frisco, TX

Photography
Ages 2–18+ Free

Scenic park with waterfalls and bronze cattle sculptures popular for portrait sessions. Free. Works …

Kathy Seei Park

Frisco, TX

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Bronze longhorn sculptures and a pond in a compact landscaped park. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Galveston Island State Park

Galveston, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Beach camping and bay-side kayaking at Galveston Island State Park - coastal wetlands, birding …

Stewart Beach

Galveston, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Lifeguarded family beach with rentals and food on Galveston Island. Paid entry. Works from toddler …

Rowlett Creek Preserve

Garland, TX

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Free

524-acre preserve with creek crossings and mountain bike trails. Free. Best from about age 3. About …

Cedar Breaks Park

Georgetown, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Spacious lakeside campground with swim beach near Georgetown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Garey Park

Georgetown, TX

Hiking
Ages 2–18+ Paid

525-acre river park with trails and splash pad in Georgetown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Good Water Trail

Georgetown, TX

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Free

26-mile lakeside trail with canyon overlooks and Hill Country terrain. Free. Best from about age 5. …

San Gabriel Park

Georgetown, TX

Biking
Ages 2–18+ Free

Award-winning playscape and river trail in Georgetown. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …

Rough Creek Lodge

Glen Rose, TX

Camping
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Luxury family ranch resort with outdoor activities near Glen Rose. Paid entry. Best from about age …

Palmetto State Park

Gonzales, TX

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Tropical palmetto forest and warm springs along the San Marcos River. Paid entry. Best from about …

Lake Grapevine Horseshoe Trails

Grapevine, TX

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Easy lakeside hiking trails on Grapevine Lake. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. …

Meadowmere Park

Grapevine, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Sandy beach swimming on Lake Grapevine with playground and camping. Paid entry. Works from toddler …

Buffalo Bayou Park

Houston, TX

Biking
Ages 2–18+ Free

Paved bayou trails with destination playground and bat colony viewing. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center

Houston, TX

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Wetland wildlife viewing and hands-on nature center east of Houston. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center

Humble, TX

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Boardwalk trails through cypress swamp with free guided canoe trips. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Huntsville State Park

Huntsville, TX

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Pine forest camping with lake paddling and a sandy swim area. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Pedernales Falls State Park

Johnson City, TX

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Dramatic tilted limestone falls and river swimming in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about …

Pedernales Falls Trammel Crossing

Johnson City, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Historic river crossing with natural wading pools away from the crowds. Paid entry. Best from about …

Pedernales River Nature Park

Johnson City, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Quiet Pedernales River swimming with limestone wading pools. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …

South Llano River State Park

Junction, TX

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Crystal-clear spring-fed river for family swimming and tubing near Junction TX - camping under pecan …

Caddo Lake State Park

Karnack, TX

Kayaking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Kayaking through a moss-draped cypress swamp on Texas' only natural lake. Paid entry. Best from …

Big Thicket National Preserve

Kountze, TX

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Free

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nine converging ecosystems. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …

Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area

Lewisville, TX

Nature
Ages 3–18+ Paid

2,000 acres of prairies and wetlands with guided nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …

Johnny Broyles Nature Trail

Little Elm, TX

Hiking
Ages 2–18+ Free

Paved 2.7-mile nature trail along Lake Lewisville in Little Elm. Free. Works from toddler age. About …

Village Creek State Park

Lumberton, TX

Kayaking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Tannin-clear creek paddling through Big Thicket sandbars. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Meridian State Park

Meridian, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

CCC-era lake park with screened shelters and paddleboating. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Comal River Tubing

New Braunfels, TX

Tubing
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Gentle spring-fed tubing on the 2.5-mile Comal River in New Braunfels TX - tube rentals with shuttle …

Lake Houston Wilderness Park

New Caney, TX

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

20 miles of forest trails and camping close to Houston. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Lake Pflugerville Park

Pflugerville, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

Free lake beach with swim area and 3-mile paved loop. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …

Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Pilot Point, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Sandy beach swimming, kids fishing pond, and lakeside camping at Ray Roberts Lake - a big North …

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park

Pittsburg, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Shaded lakeside camping with fishing pier and bike trails. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve

Plano, TX

Hiking
Ages 2–18+ Free

800-acre park with boardwalks and kayaking in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …

Mustang Island State Park

Port Aransas, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Beachfront camping and bay kayak trail with dolphin sightings. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …

Prairie Creek Waterfall

Richardson, TX

Hiking
Ages 2–18+ Free

Hidden suburban waterfall and shaded creek trail in Richardson. Free. Works from toddler age. About …

Goose Island State Park

Rockport, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Coastal camping by a 1,000-year-old oak with bay fishing and whooping cranes. Paid entry. Works from …

Sea Rim State Park

Sabine Pass, TX

Kayaking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Gulf beach meets freshwater marsh with paddling trails and boardwalks. Paid entry. Best from about …

Government Canyon State Natural Area

San Antonio, TX

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Paid

40 miles of trails with dinosaur tracks in the limestone. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A …

Rio Vista Park

San Marcos, TX

Swimming
Ages 4–18+ Free

Crystal-clear spring-fed river with natural falls for floating and swimming. Free. Best from about …

Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway

Somerville, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Two-unit park connected by 21-mile trail with lake swimming. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Grelle Recreation Area

Spicewood, TX

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Uncrowded Lake Travis cove with wooded trails and swimming. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A …

Krause Springs

Spicewood, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Spring-fed pools under ancient cypress trees with camping. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Pace Bend Park

Spicewood, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Rocky limestone coves and cliff jumping on Lake Travis. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Guadalupe River State Park

Spring Branch, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Cypress-lined Guadalupe River swimming with guided paddles and hikes. Paid entry. Best from about …

Guadalupe River State Park Camping

Spring Branch, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Four miles of cypress-lined Guadalupe River frontage with drive-up and walk-in campsites, forty-five …

Martin Creek Lake State Park

Tatum, TX

Fishing
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Year-round warm-water fishing with unique island campsites in East Texas - a hidden gem for family …

Abilene State Park

Tuscola, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Spring-fed swimming pool under pecan trees in West Texas. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …

Tyler State Park

Tyler, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Spring-fed lake swimming with a sandy beach, paddleboat rentals, and 13 miles of piney-woods trails …

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Vanderpool, TX

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Stunning fall foliage and limestone canyon trails along the Sabinal River. Paid entry. Best from …

Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway

Weatherford, TX

Biking
Ages 3–18+ Free

20-mile flat rail trail perfect for kids building biking endurance. Free. Best from about age 3. A …

Lake Tawakoni State Park

Wills Point, TX

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Sandy swim beach and shaded camping an hour east of Dallas. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Blue Hole Regional Park

Wimberley, TX

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Spring-fed swimming hole with a famous rope swing under bald cypress trees in Wimberley TX - summer …

Jacob's Well Natural Area

Wimberley, TX

Swimming
Ages 6–18+ Paid

Crystal-clear artesian spring swimming hole in Wimberley TX - swimming requires advance online …

East Fork Park

Wylie, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Sandy swim beach and lakeside camping on Lake Lavon. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day …