Have the VERY BEST TIME at Splashway Waterpark & Campgrounds. Stay in the Splashway cabins, play at the waterpark all day and enjoy camp activities all night.
And you can use JARVIS24 for $10 off waterpark tickets!
Several years ago, on our annual summer trip to Splashway, I sat by camp store and watched families cooking dinner on campfires and kids riding bikes around the cabins, RVs and playgrounds… and I thought I might just be in a feel-good All-American movie.
Behind me, the big waterpark had just closed for the day and in front of me were my kids running and riding around the campground. The sun was going down and we were busy playing mini golf, competing at laser tag and kayaking before making our own campfire.
We returned to Splashway again this year, and I still got the good feeling of an old fashioned summer. And when I asked my younger kids what they liked the best, the answer was that they could do what they wanted. And what they meant was, my city kids had the freedom to ride bikes through the campground, meet up at the playground and find new friends along the way.
All that is to say that visiting Splashway Waterpark and Campground is always a highlight of our summer. We drive just an hour past Katy… but get away from it all. We spend a few days swimming, playing and eating together… without all the distractions at home.
We like one day visits to the waterpark, but we love three day trips to the campground. Splashway invited us out again this year, and every day was like the 4th of July block party from The Sandlot (but without the Benny outrunning Hercules).
Jump to:
About the Campground
My kids got to go camping and stay in the Splashway cabins, I got to have all the amenities of home AND we got to visit a big waterpark!
As far as camping goes, I like the bonfires and outdoor activities but I prefer to stay somewhere with running water, air conditioning and a bed!
Well, at Splashway Waterpark & Campground, we had an air conditioned Splashway cabin with a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, loft and porch! Here the kids could play right outside our door, roast marshmallows over the fire and run wild... and then come inside for showers, bathrooms and AC.
You can find the Splashway Campground map HERE.
On our latest trip, we arrived at Splashway on a weekday afternoon. After the temperature dropped, families came out to their decks for dinner and to the common areas for games, bikes, playing on the playground, giant chess games and the outdoor movie.
Then we ate at The Hideaway restaurant, made our fire, made s'mores and ran wild through the campground. Later, the kids all climbed up to the loft (with several mattresses) and dreamed about the next day at the waterpark.
About the Waterpark
In the morning, we went to the waterpark gate before opening, found our table and the kids were off! (You can usually enter the waterpark about 15-30 minutes before opening, but cannot enter the water until the announcement is made.) The big kids went on the huge slides and my youngest and I waved at them from the little kid areas.
The waterpark is not as huge at Schlitterbahn, but it is plenty big with lots to do... making it much easier for me to handle.
AND the thing that always impresses me is how friendly and polite the customers are. Any time a kid bumped in to my little kids, the parents jumped in and apologized. I think it helped that the staff was very helpful, the music was all family friendly and there were frequent announcements connecting up lost parents and also reminding people to check in with their groups. This is the best experience we've ever had at a big waterpark.
In the end, the kids had so much fun that I had to peel them away after seven hours of swimming each day.
Tips for visiting the Splashway Waterpark
- Five slides are for 48" and above. The other big slides are for 42" and above. There are also several areas for little kids to play.
- A few of the slides require 2 or 4 riders. It's a little tricky if you just have one kid that wants to ride.
- Parking is FREE!
- Life Jackets and tubes are free to use.
- You can bring in COOLERS! Food is also for sale, but bringing in our own lunch saved us at least $10 each. (Bring a cooler on wheels to get it across the park.)
- Arrive before opening… and do your favorite rides first. You can usually enter about 15-30 minutes early, grab a table and line up for your favorite slide.
- There are picnic tables all over the park and people just claim tables with their coolers… and come back when they are hungry.
- One year we went on a weekday with a buy one get one free promotion going on. There were crowds... but still not as big as the other Houston waterparks.
- Consider wearing water shoes. The sidewalks are hot!
- Lifeguards are everywhere. But, of course, you have to watch your kids!
- Have a meet up spot planned in advance… just in case you get separated!
- This is a lot of walking and climbing! The stairs and ramps to the top of the slides can take you several stories in the air.
- Life vests are available for free. You can also bring in your own.
- Strollers are allowed in the park.
- Use JARVIS24 for $10 off waterpark tickets.
Tips for renting the cabins at Splashway Campground
- The original Splashway cabins come with 3 queen beds and 2 full beds and sleep 12. The mattresses and pillows are covered in a slick cleanable cover and linens are provided. (You used to bring your own, but now they are provided!)
- The original cabins (starting with cabin #1) are the closest to the waterpark.
- The Splashway King cabins have a similar layout, but there is a king sized mattress in the main bedroom. These are a little nicer inside (but the other cabins are fine!). These cabins are on the far side of the campground, so there are fewer people around... but if you plan to run back and forth to the waterpark, it's worth renting a golf cart.
- The new Creekside Cabins are smaller than the main cabins, but still sleep eight, with four mattresses. These are in a good location because you can cut over the bridge to the playground... but you are also tucked away on the quieter side of the campground. If you plan to run back and forth to the waterpark, it's worth renting a golf cart.
- Splashway Waterpark & Campground also has spaces for tents and RVs.
- When we started visiting Splashway, only the waterpark side was developed. Since then, there are a lot of bunk houses, campsites, RV spots and cabins on the far side of the pond. The tent, RV and bunk house area are mostly under big trees. The cabins are very close to the main road and a little loud when trucks go by.
- Renting a golf cart is fun! You can drive it to the waterpark, playgrounds, movie nights and more.
- The kitchen is fully stocked with pots and plates and silverware... but you need to wash and return everything you use!
- You need to bring soap and shampoo for the shower.
- The campgrounds have lots of things to do and boats to rent. If you have room in your car, bring bikes and balls so you have even more to do!
- Find the Splashway Campground map HERE.
- Staying for one day at the waterpark is great... but getting a cabin for two nights and visiting the waterpark for three days is awesome. It lets you run back and forth and take your time enjoying all there is to do at the campground.
- Since we started coming, food and groceries have become easier to get in Sheridan. Splashway has The Hideaway restaurant, open every day, and there are small shopping options nearby.
- If you plan to go in the winter, ready THIS post!
- If you need a list of things to bring, here's what we packed. (But I'm not a pro camper!)
- Most important
- Water
- Bug spray
- Sun screen
- For the cabin
- Shampoo, soap
- Firewood (also available at the entrance of the park)
- Lighter/matches
- Leather gloves
- Sticks for roasting marshmallows
- Groceries (or just skip it and go to The Hideaway restaurant)
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate
- Watermelon
- Snacks
- Water
- More supplies
- Flash lights
- Deck of cards/games for rainy days
- Extra trash bags (for wet clothes, etc)
- Phone/charger
- For the waterpark
- Sandals/water shoes
- Swim suits
- Towels
- Waterproof phone case
- Cooler with water/snacks
- For fun
- Glow stick necklaces
- String of lights for decorating the cabin porch
- Light up rings, soccer ball, etc
- Bike wheel lights
- Bubble machine
- Most important
On this latest trip, I had kids age 2 to 19 with me… and we all had fun… and it's not easy to please everyone from toddler through college, at the same time... but Splashway did it!
Take a look at more pictures below... and decide if Splashway Waterpark & Campground is right for you!
Splashway Campground and Waterpark Map
Click address for the map: 5211 Main Street, Sheridan, Texas 77475 (For the winter glamping post, go HERE!)
Mary Tibbs says
Do you have Tent Camping? and what is the cost? Or can you send me a brochure.
3510 Tanglebriar Dr.
.Pasadena, Tx 77503
Jill Jarvis says
Mary -
They do have tent sites that start at $40. Splashway can give you more information at 979-234-7718!
https://splashwaywaterpark.com/campground/sites/
Jill
Kristen Boethel says
Splashway is the best!