Texarkana in July runs consistently in the mid-to-upper 90s°F, and if you’re camping with kids who have spent their interest in the playground equipment by 10 a.m., water is the answer for the rest of the day. The good news is the Texarkana area has a genuine range of water play options for kids — from a free zero-depth splash pad in a 145-acre city park to a full commercial water park on the Arkansas side with slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. This guide covers all of them with the practical details that actually matter for families at the park.
The Rotary Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park: Free and Family-Ready
The Rotary Splash Pad is the centerpiece splash pad near Texarkana RV Park for families who want water play without a water park budget. Built through a partnership between the Rotary Clubs of Texarkana and the City of Texarkana Texas Parks and Recreation Department, the splash pad is a zero-depth water playground — no standing water, no drowning risk, no lifeguard required — making it the right option for families with toddlers and younger kids who aren’t ready for wave pools and water slides.
What Zero-Depth Means in Practice
Zero-depth splash pads are designed specifically for the youngest water-play crowd. The water comes up from ground-level jets and nozzles rather than filling a pool, which means there’s no standing water depth to worry about. Kids run through the water features, get soaked, laugh, run back through. Parents sit in the shade. It’s exactly the summer afternoon activity that toddlers and kids under 8 or so are built for. The Texarkana installation has added shade ports with picnic tables alongside the splash zone, which means the adults don’t have to stand in the full July sun while the kids go through their rotation.
2026 hours: open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 30 through the beginning of September. The 7 p.m. closing time specifically gives families the option of a late-afternoon splash pad session after the peak heat has started to break — arriving around 4 or 5 p.m. when the sun angle is lower is noticeably more comfortable than a 10 a.m. session in full sun. Free. No admission.
Popsicles in the Park: The July Thursday Bonus
Every Thursday in July at 2 p.m., the Texarkana Texas Fire Department hosts “Popsicles in the Park” at Spring Lake Park. Kids get to meet local firefighters, explore the fire truck, and collect a popsicle. It’s one of those genuinely charming local events that shows up on the city summer calendar and turns a regular splash pad afternoon into something the kids actually talk about afterward. If your week in Texarkana includes a Thursday, this is worth planning around.
“Spring Lake Park on a Thursday afternoon in July — fire truck parked on the grass, kids running through the splash pad, popsicles getting handed out — is the specific kind of summer memory that travels well. It doesn’t cost anything and it’s right there.”
Holiday Springs Water Park: The Full-Scale Option on the AR Side
Holiday Springs Water Park is the commercial water park in the Texarkana area — located on the Arkansas side of town — and the answer for families who want the full water park day rather than a free splash pad visit. The park features a legitimate complement of attractions: water slides, a kids splash park (Texarkana Splash Mountain — a 42-foot structure with over 100 interactive water features), a Monkeys Island Pool for younger kids with climbing walls and lily ponds, a wave pool, a lazy river, and Paradise Lagoon adult pool.
The Texas Sky Fall is a capsule drop ride 65 feet above the ground. Neptune’s Revenge is an open slide with twists and turns. For families with a range of kids — a nervous 6-year-old and a thrill-seeking 12-year-old — Holiday Springs gives enough range of intensity that everyone finds something in their comfort zone.
What to Know Before You Go
Holiday Springs is the largest-scale water destination in the immediate Texarkana area, which also means it’s priced accordingly. Food inside the park is expensive — bringing a cooler with your own snacks and drinks to the parking area for a mid-day break saves meaningful money for a family of four. July is the park’s peak attendance period; arriving at opening time significantly improves your experience relative to arriving mid-morning when the lines at the popular slides are already long.
The park is in Texarkana, Arkansas — confirm the current address, hours, and ticket prices directly at the park’s booking page before visiting. Park-operated websites and review platforms (tripadvisor.com, holidayspringswaterpark.com) are the best sources for current pricing and seasonal schedules. Some reviews note water quality maintenance has varied — checking recent reviews before a visit is worthwhile.
Big Dam Waterpark: The Second Commercial Option
Big Dam Waterpark is a Texarkana area water park with water slides, a lazy river, and pool areas. The park offers season passes for families who plan multiple visits — the “Little Dam” and “Big Dam” season pass tiers give different access levels. Birthday party packages are available with reserved tables, meal vouchers, and all-day access. For families with a week-long Texarkana stay who want a water park option beyond Holiday Springs, Big Dam is the second commercial destination in the area worth comparing. Current information at bigdamwaterpark.com.
Splash Shack: The Indoor Option for Brutal Days
Splash Shack is an indoor kids’ water park in Texarkana — the specific option for days when the outdoor heat is simply too extreme for a realistic outdoor water session, or when a thunderstorm has cancelled the outdoor plans. Summer hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. The indoor environment means it runs regardless of weather and doesn’t have the sun exposure issue that outdoor splash pads and pools do. Current information and calendar at splashshacktx.com.
Rotary Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park: 4303 North Park Rd, Texarkana TX. Free. Daily 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Memorial Day through September. Zero-depth, shade ports, picnic tables. Popsicles in the Park every Thursday in July at 2 p.m.
Holiday Springs Water Park: Texarkana AR side. Commercial water park. Texarkana Splash Mountain (42-ft, 100+ features), Monkeys Island Pool, wave pool, lazy river, slides. holidayspringswaterpark.com. Bring snacks; food expensive inside.
Big Dam Waterpark: Texarkana area. Slides, lazy river, season passes available. bigdamwaterpark.com.
Splash Shack: Indoor kids water park. Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm. splashshacktx.com. Best option for bad-weather or peak-heat days.
For families planning a Texarkana RV Park stay specifically built around the splash pad and water park calendar, the RV travel and Texarkana area guide gives the broader regional picture. Pricing for any length stay that works around a family summer schedule is at the RV Park Texarkana pricing page. Families who want the extra indoor space of a cabin for a full week of water park days can check the cabin accommodations at RV Park Texarkana. Visitors approaching from the Foreman, Arkansas corridor can check the RV park near Foreman, AR page. And for booking any Texarkana stay, RV Park Texarkana is the starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free splash pad near Texarkana RV Park?
Yes. The Rotary Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park (4303 North Park Road, Texarkana TX 75503) is completely free to use, open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through the beginning of September. The splash pad is a zero-depth installation — water comes from ground-level jets rather than filling a pool, making it appropriate for toddlers and young children without lifeguard supervision requirements. The pad has shade ports with picnic tables, a non-slip surface, and fencing with two gates. Spring Lake Park itself covers 145 acres and includes a spring-fed lake, playground equipment, 18-hole disc golf, a 1.75-mile walking trail, and the Kylee Sullivan-PetSafe Dog Park. No admission, no registration required.
What are the hours for the splash pad at Spring Lake Park in Texarkana?
The Rotary Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from the Monday after Memorial Day through the beginning of September. The 2026 opening was May 30. Hours are subject to change for weather conditions, maintenance, or special events at the park — for the most current status, the City of Texarkana Texas Parks and Recreation Department website (texarkanatexas.gov) posts any closures or schedule changes. The late afternoon window — 4 to 6 p.m. — is often the most comfortable time to visit in July when the sun angle is lower, and the 7 p.m. closing gives families a full evening session option.
What is Holiday Springs Water Park in Texarkana?
Holiday Springs Water Park is the primary commercial water park in the Texarkana area, located on the Arkansas side of the city. The park features multiple water attractions including Texarkana Splash Mountain (a 42-foot kids’ splash structure with over 100 interactive water features), Monkeys Island Pool for younger children (with climbing walls and lily ponds), the Texas Sky Fall capsule drop ride, Neptune’s Revenge open water slide, a wave pool, lazy river, adult Paradise Lagoon pool, and splash pad areas. The park offers a full-day water park experience with on-site dining (expensive — bringing snacks for a parking lot break saves money) and is best visited at opening time in July when crowds and line times are lowest. Current ticket prices, hours, and schedule at holidayspringswaterpark.com.
Are there indoor water options for kids near Texarkana?
Yes. Splash Shack is an indoor kids’ water park in Texarkana that operates year-round regardless of outdoor weather conditions. Summer 2026 hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. The indoor facility is the right choice for days when outdoor heat is genuinely extreme, when afternoon thunderstorms cancel outdoor plans, or when families want water play in a controlled, shaded environment. Current information, pricing, and any special event calendar at splashshacktx.com.
What is “Popsicles in the Park” in Texarkana?
Popsicles in the Park is a free community event hosted by the Texarkana Texas Fire Department every Thursday in July at 2 p.m. at Spring Lake Park. Children get to meet local firefighters, explore and take photos on the fire truck, and receive a free popsicle. The event runs concurrent with the Rotary Splash Pad’s operating hours, making Thursday afternoons at Spring Lake Park a particularly good family destination — the splash pad is running, the event adds a fire truck and firefighter meet-and-greet, and the popsicles are free. It’s a low-key, genuinely community-oriented event that families visiting the area consistently enjoy. No registration required; arrive at or before 2 p.m. at Spring Lake Park.
Is Big Dam Waterpark near Texarkana good for kids?
Big Dam Waterpark is a Texarkana area commercial water park with water slides, a lazy river, and pool areas suited to a range of ages. The park offers season passes (Little Dam and Big Dam tiers) for families planning multiple visits across the summer, and birthday party packages with reserved tables, meal vouchers, and all-day access. For families spending a week or more in Texarkana, a season pass may offer better value than daily admission at either Big Dam or Holiday Springs depending on visit frequency. Current hours, pricing, and attraction information at bigdamwaterpark.com — confirm the park’s current operating status and season hours before making the drive.