KATY MAGAZINE l JULY 2019
By April Carroll
Katy families can make a splash at these seven awesome water parks within driving distance of Katy. Pack the car, and load up on sunscreen, daring water slides and lazy rivers await kids of all ages!
555 Katy Fort Bend Rd.
Katy, TX
Right here in Katy, you'll find water slides and adventures for the whole family at the 25-acre Typhoon Texas, located near the Katy Mills Mall.
Thrill seekers can grab a tube and hit the 375,000-gallon wave pool, Tidal Wave Bay, which has three-foot-tall waves. Riders can race their friends to the finish line of Duelin' Daltons' free falling slides. To relax, find one of the three entrances to start floating on the Lazy T River.
Smaller children love the Buckaroo Bayou and Howdy Hollow with miniature slides and shallower water than the rest of the park.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston 2026 Lockheed St. Galveston, TX
Distance from Katy: 85 miles
Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels 400 N. Liberty Ave. New Braunfels, TX
Distance from Katy: 145 miles
Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort Corpus Christi 14353 Commodores Dr. Corpus Christi, TX Distance from Katy: 215 miles
Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort South Padre Island 33261 State Park Rd. 100 South Padre Island, TX
Distance from Katy: 350 miles
Schlitterbahn has four outdoor locations in Texas alone, and has been voted the best water park in the world for 20 years. Each one of these exciting Lone Star state parks – New Braunfels, Galveston, Corpus Christi and South Padre Island - is within driving distance from Katy.
Choose your favorite destination and grab a tube to enjoy the most exciting water slides in the world. Splash around in the wave river or relax while floating on the lazy river.
Three of Schlitterbahn’s most popular rides include the Boogie Bahn, a surfing ride, the Whitewater Tube Chute, and Dragon’s Revenge. In the Galveston park, you’ll find the world's tallest water coaster Massiv Monster Blaster.
Book your accommodations near any of the Texas Schlitterbahn locations to enjoy your family vacation.
100 Great Wolf Dr.
Grapevine, TX
Distance from Katy: 280 miles
The recently-remodeled Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor family wonderland. Guests can enjoy the towering water park, ropes courses, fitness center, a spa, arcade, and much more. Guests staying on property have access to the water park and all of the activities. Families can choose to stay in a themed suite or a spacious standard room The Lodge also provides a daily itinerary, with planned activities for different age groups.
The Grapevine, TX Great Wolf location was opened in 2007 but has recently been remodeled. At a comfortable 84 degrees, the 80,000 square-foot indoor water park boasts a four-story water house fort. Plus, kids to adults will enjoy the 9 water rides and six splash pads with play pools.
The water park at Great Wolf Lodge draws families for summer fun, even when the sun goes down. Kids can enjoy pajama parties and frequent appearances by Great Wolf kids characters. Other visitors' favorites on the property include laser tag, an arcade and an XD theater.
34843 Betka Rd.
Waller, TX
Distance from Katy: 25 miles
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park first opened in Wisconsin in 1969. Now, Katy families only have to drive about 25 miles to Waller to enjoy this true gem.
Plan a camping trip at Jellystone Park to give the kids a fun adventure and cool off from the Texas heat. On site, guests can book cabins or reserve campsites for tents, or rent an RV nightly, weekly, or even monthly.
During the day, older children and adults can swim in the large pool which is adjacent to the splash pad and water play area, safe for smaller children. Guests also love the exciting water slides at Jellystone. Dry land activities there include basketball, volleyball, and miniature golf.
575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd.
Cedar Creek, TX
Distance from Katy: 117 miles
Lost Pines sits on 400 acres and features more than just water fun. Guests can spend the day horseback riding, kayaking, or hiking.
To cool off, check out the Crooked River Water Park and pool area. The kids can play in their own pool, complete with a water slide. The whole family can relax together and float on the lazy river.
For a grown-up getaway, find the adults-only pool. Guests can enjoy the sun loungers and rent a cabana.
21300 Interstate 45
Spring, TX
Distance from Katy: 45 miles
Guests can enjoy the 48 fun-filled acres at Splashtown. The property features two pools, nine daring waterslides and more.
Splashtown’s newest ride, the Alien Chaser, opened in 2017. The attraction rockets two riders through dark tunnels, releasing them into a giant saucer-shaped pool at the end.
Another popular ride at Splashtown, the RipQurl, sends riders speeding through a tunnel at 26 feet per second.
The water park also caters to the young kiddos with two interactive children's areas. The Tree House offers three stories of fun for the whole family. Guests can climb net ladders, slide down slippery slides and get soaked by a 1,000-gallon bucket that blasts water onto everyone below.
5211 Main St.
Sheridan, TX
Distance from Katy: 60 miles
Katy families can travel to Sheridan, TX for a fun camping and water park destination. For a rustic vacation, cabins, tent campsites and family bunkhouses are available to rent.
Splashway has consistently been voted one of the best water parks in the state with attractions for every thrill level. Guests can peacefully float along the Lazy River and Lagoon or experience the more daring rides like 63-foot-high Ray's Riptide. This new four-person ride challenges guests to a 45-degree angle drop.
This summer, the Dueling Splashblaster, a high-speed racing slide, is set to open.