Del Rio sits out on the border along the Rio Grande, far enough from any other city that a splash pad has to hold its own rather than compete with a dozen nearby options. The good news is the city runs two free ones, at Rotary Park and G.I. Forum Park, both an easy drive from anywhere in town. For a change of scenery, Uvalde and Carrizo Springs both have their own water play worth the longer trip. Here's where to send the kids this summer.

Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Del Rio

1. Rotary Park Splash Pad (Del Rio)

Location: 309 Cantu St, Del Rio, TX 78840

Del Rio👶 Best for ages 2-12💲 Free🚗 0.4 mi

The closest splash pad for most Del Rio families. Rotary Park sits close to the center of town, an easy few minutes for most Del Rio neighborhoods.

Good to know: splash pad, inclusive playground, shade seating areas, BBQ grills.

Parent tip: The inclusive playground here runs longer hours than the splash pad itself, April through October, so it's worth a visit even outside peak summer.

Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Rotary Park portal.

2. G.I. Forum Park Splash Pad (Del Rio)

Location: Bedell Ave, Del Rio, TX 78840

Del Rio👶 Best for ages 2-10💲 Free🚗 0.7 mi

A pavilion makes this an easy lunch stop. G.I. Forum Park's picnic tables and covered pavilion mean a splash pad visit can stretch into a longer afternoon without much planning.

Good to know: splash pad, swing set, tennis court, basketball court, pavilion, picnic tables.

Parent tip: The tennis and basketball courts here mean older siblings have something to do while the younger kids are at the splash pad.

3. El Jardin de los Heroes Splash Pad (Uvalde)

67.3 miles from Del Rio, and the drive is simple; Uvalde is well-signed from the highway.

Location: 801 W Main St, Uvalde, TX 78801

Uvalde👶 Best for all ages💲 Free🚗 67.3 mi

The most distinctive theme on this list. El Jardin de los Heroes stands out from the two Del Rio splash pads with its safari design, a nice change of scenery if you're willing to make the drive.

Good to know: safari-themed splash pad, animal water sculptures, pavilion, shaded seating, restrooms.

Parent tip: This is well over an hour from Del Rio, so it makes the most sense as a planned day trip rather than a quick afternoon outing.

For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the El Jardin de los Heroes city page.

4. Uvalde Municipal Swimming Pool (Uvalde)

A longer haul from Del Rio at 67.8 miles, so save this one for when you want a real change of scenery.

Location: 324 E Nopal St, Uvalde, TX 78801

Uvalde👶 Best for all ages💲 $🚗 67.8 mi

Real swimming instead of spray features alone. Uvalde Municipal Swimming Pool gives older kids and confident swimmers a full pool to use, a different experience from the splash pads on this list.

Good to know: municipal swimming pool, public swim sessions, restrooms, pavilion rental.

Parent tip: Pair this with El Jardin de los Heroes since both are in Uvalde, a splash pad in the morning and a full swim in the afternoon covers the whole day.

5. Carrizo Springs City Pool (Carrizo Springs)

A committed about 128 min drive from Del Rio, so treat it as a half-day destination, not a quick stop.

Location: 300 E Nopal St, Carrizo Springs, TX 78834

Carrizo Springs👶 Best for all ages💲 $🚗 85.6 mi

The farthest pick on this list, a small-town municipal pool east of Del Rio. Carrizo Springs City Pool is a modest, low-cost public pool, worth knowing about if you're already traveling that direction rather than a dedicated destination on its own.

Good to know: municipal swimming pool, public swim, restrooms.

Parent tip: This is the farthest pick on this list, closer to a special-occasion trip than a regular outing given the distance from Del Rio.

Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Carrizo Springs City Pool facilities status page before packing up the car.

See upcoming kids events in Del Rio →

How we picked these

We started with Del Rio's own two splash pads, then looked out toward Uvalde and Carrizo Springs, both over an hour away, since Del Rio's isolation means there's genuinely little else within a normal drive. Everything on this list is free or low-cost and public, and we checked for shade, restrooms, and a nearby playground before ranking. The two closest picks are both right in Del Rio.

Planning your visit

Del Rio's splash pads run Memorial Day through Labor Day, generally 10am to 7pm, with the inclusive playground at Rotary Park open longer through the season. Border-region summers run hot and dry, so mornings tend to be more comfortable than a midday visit. The Uvalde and Carrizo Springs picks are far enough that they're worth treating as a planned day trip rather than a spur-of-the-moment stop.

For more kids' events near Del Rio this week, see the Del Rio events page.

Del Rio 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: Rotary Park Splash Pad and most Del Rio 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 G.I. Forum Park Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.

Del Rio Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best splash pads for kids near Del Rio, TX?

Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 90 miles of Del Rio. The top picks include Rotary Park Splash Pad, G.I. Forum Park Splash Pad and El Jardin de los Heroes Splash Pad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.

Which splash pads near Del Rio are free?

3 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Rotary Park Splash Pad, G.I. Forum Park Splash Pad and El Jardin de los Heroes Splash Pad. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.

What is the closest splash pad to Del Rio?

Rotary Park Splash Pad is the closest pick at under a mile from Del Rio. 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 Del Rio splash pads open and close for the season?

Most Del Rio-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 Del Rio open right now?

It depends on the day. Many Del Rio-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.