Best Free Splash Pads Near Big Spring, TX for Kids (2026)

Permian Basin summers in Big Spring routinely crack 105°F, and the city has two legitimate answers: the Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center inside Comanche Trail Park, and the Bert Andries Splash Pad at one of the city's neighborhood parks. For families who want to make a bigger water-park day of it, Midland's free splash pads and aquatic center are about 40 miles west. Here are the best splash pads and water venues near Big Spring, TX for kids in 2026.

Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Big Spring

1. Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center (Big Spring)

Location: 911 Golf Course Road, Big Spring, TX 79720

Two water slides plus a 9,376 sq. ft. playground — Big Spring's aquatic center, renovated in 2011 to honor Mayor Russ McEwen, sits inside Comanche Trail Park and serves Howard County families at a $5 entry per child (free under 2). The facility includes lazy river, interactive play structure, water crossing, zero-depth entry, and two slides — all the variety of a water park without the resort price tag. Noon–8 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, 1–8 p.m. Sunday.

Good to know: zero-entry pool, interactive play structure, water crossing activity, lazy river, water slides, ADA accessible, locker rooms, concessions, restrooms, sand play areas, shade structures, pavilion rentals. Closed Mondays.

Parent tip: A 12-punch pass ($50) pays off after ten visits and avoids the daily admission line. Pavilion rentals start at $25/hour if you're planning a birthday gathering. Call 432-264-2323 for reservations.

Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center portal.

2. Bert Andries Splash Pad (Big Spring)

Location: Big Spring, TX 79720

Free neighborhood water play, no pool admission needed — dedicated by the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce to longtime Lions supporter Bert Andries, this splash pad serves families seeking free water play. Younger kids get their fill of spray jets and ground-level water without the cost of the McEwen center or the depth of a traditional pool. Call the City of Big Spring at 432-264-2323 to confirm operating hours.

Good to know: splash pad, ground sprays, water jets, shade structures, restrooms.

Parent tip: Call 432-264-2323 or visit mybigspring.com before heading out to confirm the current season schedule — the city manages operating hours and any maintenance closures through their Parks and Recreation department.

3. XTO Splash Pad at Dennis the Menace Park (Midland)

about 61 min from Big Spring each way — Midland rewards the drive if you plan a few hours.

Location: 2201 W Indiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701

Full-day splash pad outing in Midland, TX near Odessa. Dennis the Menace Park earns the trip across the Permian Basin: a pirate ship water feature, slides, playground, pavilions, BBQ access, and a 9 p.m. closing time. Free and family-focused. The XTO splash pad anchors a park that lets you cook out, let kids play in the water, then transition to the playground without loading the car. Closed Thursdays every week.

Good to know: splash pad, water slides, pirate ship water feature, playground, pavilion, picnic tables, BBQ pits, restrooms, drinking water.

Parent tip: Dennis the Menace Park is a full destination — pack a cooler, plan on lunch at the BBQ pits, and let the kids rotate between the splash pad and playground. The pavilion can be reserved for group events.

For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the XTO at Dennis the Menace Park city page.

4. Centennial Park Splash Pad (Midland)

From Big Spring, budget about 59 min each way — but Midland has enough to fill a full morning out.

Location: 200 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79701

Fifty jets in downtown Midland — free and family-ready. Centennial Park's splash pad is a fountain that doubles as a sprayground: fifty ground jets in a plaza setting, open to kids and adults from 10 a.m. Café-style seating, a concession kiosk, and a children's nature play area surround it. The Great Lawn handles picnics, the stage pavilion handles shade, and the dog park keeps the whole family engaged. Worth the 20-mile drive from Odessa for the downtown atmosphere.

Good to know: splash pad, ground jets, interactive water fountain, nature play area, dog park, seating, great lawn, stage pavilion, café seating, concession kiosk, restrooms, children's nature play.

Parent tip: Centennial Park's 8 p.m. close time means an afternoon departure from Big Spring still gets there with hours of splash time. The concession kiosk handles snacks so you don't have to pack everything.

5. Washington Aquatic Center (Midland)

From Big Spring, budget about 57 min each way — but Midland has enough to fill a full morning out.

Location: 1601 E Indiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701

Accessible full-day aquatic destination in Midland, TX. The layout separates activity levels without requiring separate visits — lazy river for recovery, slides for excitement, kiddie area for the littlest ones. Five dollars gets everyone in; under-2s are free. Shade is built into the design, not an afterthought, so the adult supervision shift is manageable.

Good to know: water slides, multiple pools, water playground, lazy river, shade umbrellas, restrooms, loungers. Closed Thursdays.

Parent tip: Closed Thursdays for maintenance. Tuesday Family Night extends hours to 9 p.m. — a genuinely pleasant evening swim when the pavement finally cools. The $30 punch card is worth it if you're making multiple Midland trips this summer.

How we picked these

We prioritized confirmed-open facilities with real water features appropriate for young children, verified addresses, on-site shade and restrooms, and reasonable admission. Local picks lead the list; Midland cross-city picks fill in variety for families willing to make the drive. All picks are within 41 miles of Big Spring's city center.

Planning your visit

Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center (911 Golf Course Rd) runs Tuesday–Saturday noon–8 p.m. and Sunday 1–8 p.m.; closed Mondays. Admission is $5 (under 2 free), with a 12-punch pass for $50. Midland's XTO Splash Pad at Dennis the Menace Park and Centennial Park splash pad are both free. Washington Aquatic Center in Midland is $5 and closed Thursdays. Pack sunscreen, water shoes, and a change of clothes — Permian Basin concrete stores heat from early morning. For more kids' events near Big Spring this week, see the Big Spring events page.

For more kids' events near Big Spring this week, see the Big Spring events page.

Big Spring Splash Pad Checklist

• Two towels and a dry change of clothes per kid — wet swimsuits on a hot car seat are miserable.
• Water shoes — rubber soles grip wet concrete; bare feet burn on pavement between jets.
• SPF 50+ sunscreen, applied 15 min before arrival — Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center and most Big Spring splash pads have minimal shade, so a portable canopy extends your session past midday.
• Your own water bottle — splash pad water recirculates through a filtration and chlorination system and is not safe to drink, even when it runs clear.

Swim Diapers and Water Hygiene

• Swim diapers only for children not yet potty trained — regular diapers absorb recirculating water, swell, and can contaminate the shared system. Most municipal splash pads require them.
• Don't swallow the water — it's treated recreational water, not drinking water. Repeated swallowing can cause gastrointestinal illness.
• Rinse off after with soap and water. Keep kids with open wounds or a recent stomach illness out of places like Bert Andries Splash Pad — standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.

Big Spring Splash Pads — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best splash pads for kids near Big Spring, TX?

Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 45 miles of Big Spring. The top picks include Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center, Bert Andries Splash Pad and XTO Splash Pad at Dennis the Menace Park — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.

Which splash pads near Big Spring are free?

3 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Bert Andries Splash Pad, XTO Splash Pad at Dennis the Menace Park and Centennial Park Splash Pad. The rest charge admission — check the individual cards above for prices.

What is the closest splash pad to Big Spring?

Bert Andries Splash Pad is the closest pick at under a mile from Big Spring. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon — short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.

When do Big Spring splash pads open and close for the season?

Most Big Spring-area splash pads open Memorial Day weekend (late May) and run through Labor Day or mid-September, depending on weather and maintenance. Hours typically run 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily — check each splash pad's official page (linked in the cards above) before driving out, since closures for cleaning and weather are common.

Are the splash pads near Big Spring open right now?

It depends on the day. Many Big Spring-area pads run on heat-activated sensors or set seasonal hours (often 10 a.m.–8 p.m.), and some close one weekday for cleaning or shut off in bad weather. Before you load up the car, check the official page linked on each card above — it carries the current day's hours and status.