5 Indoor Water Parks in & Around Dallas-Fort Worth

Want a fun day on the water but can’t get to the beach? Staying put doesn’t have to mean skimping on water-inspired fun altogether—thanks to these mega-sized, climate-controlled indoor water parks that operate year-round. Some have clear, retractable roofs to let the sunshine in and keep out the rain and the cold, heated pools to help you relax (because it’s your vacation too, right?) and dozens of family fun attractions—in and/or out of the water—that make a visit a substantial step up from the pool at your local rec center.

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Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark 

Why go? At 80,000 square feet, Epic Waters is exactly that—an epic water park destination with, when it opened 5 years ago, the largest single curved retractable roof in the country. Its see-through panels open and close to let in the sunlight and fresh air. 

But let’s talk attractions. Your taller, adventurous kids can climb up to the Epic’s 11 slides, all stemming from a single tower. Try out your surfing skills on the FlowRider Double. Its two lanes for two riders simultaneously makes it a great host for the annual FlowaPalooza competition. For playtime that’s more your toddler’s speed, stick to the aquatic fort at Rascal’s Roundup, and always keep an eye out for mascot Waddles, a yellow duck.

The Epic’s outdoor wave pool opens in May, but you can take a quick dip this winter by joining the annual polar bear plunge. (Special tickets required.) 

Pricing: Admission often sells out on busy days, so be sure to purchase your day passes online in advance. Kids 3 and younger always get in free with an adult. Otherwise, prices are based on height. Admission generally ranges from (off-peak days) $34 for everyone taller than 48 inches and $29 for under 48 inches, and goes up to $59 depending on the day.

Check their calendar for special discount days/times, such as Twilight Swim. Combo packages include access to rock climbing, bumper cars and synthetic ice skating at another attraction next door: Bolder Adventure Park. 

Location: 2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, Texas
Learn more: 972/337-3131; epicwatersgp.com

The Cove at Lakefront

Why go? On the northern shores of Lewisville Lake, this indoor water park is the newest such addition to DFW, just shy of two years since its opening. And under its retractable roof, it’s got all you could want or need for a day out with the family: a zero-depth splash ground and play structures, a lazy river for floating in crystal clear inner tubes, and tube slides including two that jut out through the side of building and loop back inside.

There’s even a climbing wall and a cliff jump for the adventurers to leap into the deeper pool. For your family’s thrill-seekers, don’t skip the FlowRider, a simulated surf machine where guests can bodyboard or stand-up surf, all while the Jumbotron captures live footage. The Cove is a city-run attraction and thus offers more traditional programming as part of the Town of Little Elm’s Aquatics program, such as regular swim lessons.

Pricing: Daily admission on weekends is $20 for adults, $15 for kids, and less on weekdays. Children under 2 are always free. Tax-paying Little Elm residents qualify for discounts on family memberships. For a mere $5 admission, come on Monday and Thursday mornings for Toddler Time, a special splash time open to all ages on the splash ground. 

Location: 417 Lakefront Drive, Little Elm, Texas
Learn more: 214/618-2047; thecoveatthelakefront.com  

Great Wolf Lodge

Why go? This eight-story tall, woodlands-themed resort is the only one of its kind in Texas. And its main attraction? The 80,000-square-foot indoor water park with a four-story aquatic treehouse and toddler splash areas, a wave pool and lazy river, wild rides, and many more nicely sectioned areas depending on your age or energy level. Need a minute away from the chaos? Slip into the family hot tub or the adults-only hot tub.

But the water park is only half the fun. A new virtual frontier where you can “dive” beneath the ocean, walk among dinosaurs or play a game of virtual golf is among the upgrades from its recent $40 million transformation, the property’s largest-ever project.

New attractions also include a mini bowling alley, an animated laser tag experience, and a nighttime spectacular that transforms the resort’s grand lobby into a fully immersive story time space with lighting effects, video, sound—and even a flurry of snow—each night before bedtime.

And if all the fun—and all those waterslides—works up an appetite, there’s plenty of new food options to check out and even a grown-ups-only Outpost for craft beers and cocktails.

Pricing: Go online to book a package for an overnight stay in a camping-themed suite, or reserve a full-day pass or half-day pass. Water park passes vary by day but generally start at $96. Free for children 2 and younger. Costs vary for other dry-land attractions, so if you’re doing several, you’ll save money with the purchase of one of three bundles. 

Location: 100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine, Texas
Learn more: 817/488-6510; greatwolf.com/grapevine

Why go? If you’re aching to get out of dodge and really go big, there’s no bigger than the African-themed resort located just north of Austin. Kalahari’s indoor water park alone spans 223,000 square feet, and tallying the number of attractions and amenities feels like counting the grains of sand in the desert region for which it’s named. Walking through the resort and spotting all 22 life-size animal sculptures themselves could merit an activity in and of itself. 

But let’s zero in on the water fun: FlowRider surf simulator? Check. Lazy river and a second one just for kids? They’re among Kalahari’s 20 pools and whirlpools, plus 30 waterslides (let me repeat, 30 slides), from A to the Zig Zag Zebra. An expanded outdoor water park opens exclusively to resort overnight guests too. 

Once you’re fully waterlogged, head one step over to Tom Foolerys Adventure Park for more playtime among the thrill rides, a ropes course, climbing walls, bowling lanes and an arcade with 250-plus games.

Pricing: Water park admission is included with your room package, or you can book a day pass. All-day water park passes generally start at $49.99 and go up to about $79.99. Combo passes available for Tom Foolery.

Location: 3001 Kalahari Boulevard, Round Rock, Texas
Learn more: 737/212-6131; kalahariresorts.com/texas 

Why go? In our northern neighbor of Oklahoma City, this brand-new luxury resort opened in spring 2025. OKANA—a combination of “Oka” (water) and “inkana” (friend)—$400 million, riverfront destination is tribal-owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation. And this place will make your jaw drop.

The resort’s indoor waterpark, open year-round, has got it all: wave pool, tube slides, multi-level splash playground for kids, and both a FlowRider surfing simulator for the most daring and a lazy river for guests who want to take it easy. At the outdoor lagoon (open from Memorial through Labor Day, plus a few weekends into September), you’ll find even more waterpark fun like an inflatable obstacle course, slides and a 4.5-acre pool. You’ll want to dig your toes in the sandy beaches (yep, made with real sand) and let the kids go wild.

When they’re are properly waterlogged, you can more the fun back indoors at the resort’s family entertainment center with an enormous arcade. If you’re considering this for a couples trip, you’ll love OKANA’s spa, outdoor swim-up bar, and a 21-and-up only warming pool. While you’re visiting, don’t miss out on missing a cultural gem just steps away, the First Americans Museum.

Pricing: Kids under 2 are free. For everyone 3 and older, day passes are available with reservations for $69.99 for both indoor and outdoor access. Or get an evening pass for $54.99. Outdoor-only day passes are $49.99.

If you’re a resort guest, you get guaranteed waterpark entry, and room rates start at $130 per night, plus taxes and fees. Some of the rooms have bunkbeds for kids, too. So for an easier trip with the kids, book a room at the resort to stay and play in the same place. For discounts, take a look at their package options here.

Location: 639 First Americans Blvd., Oklahoma City, about a 3-hour drive north of DFW (or you could take Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer train between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City)
Learn more: 800/547-3928; okanaresort.com

RELATED: Guide to Water Parks in DFW

Top image courtesy of Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark