Within 35 miles of Hillsboro, TX · Updated 2026-06-20Hillsboro sits at a crossroads between Waco and the DFW suburbs, which means splash pad options pull from two directions. The closest verified pads are about 27–33 miles out — a real drive, but all either free or low-cost, open all summer, and worth planning around. Whether you head south toward Waco's park network or north toward Cleburne and Midlothian, you'll find something worth the trip. Here are the best splash pads near Hillsboro, TX for this summer.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Hillsboro
1. Carleen Bright Arboretum Splash Pad (Woodway)
A genuine about 41 min drive each way from Hillsboro — worth it if the kids need serious space to roam.
Location: 701 Grove St, Woodway, TX 76712
No excuses splash destination in Woodway: Carleen Bright Arboretum Splash Pad handles the logistics that matter — restrooms that don't require a hike, parking that doesn't suck, and hours that work for actual families trying to escape the heat on a random Tuesday afternoon. The whole setup gets out of your way so kids can actually play.
Good to know: splash pad, botanical gardens, playground, swings, lawn games, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Woodway is just south of Waco on I-35W. The arboretum makes the drive feel like a planned outing rather than a quick errand — save it for a day when you want to linger and make the trip count.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Carleen Bright Arboretum portal.
2. Splash Station (Cleburne)
At 27.7 miles, one of the farther picks from Hillsboro — pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.
Location: 1010 Hillsboro Street, Cleburne, TX 76033
Multi-feature water facility in Cleburne for families seeking variety: Splash Station at Hulen Park charges $6 per person for a zero-entry pool, two slides, a lazy river, and a splash pad—the most complete paid option outside Splashville. The facility operates seasonally (Memorial Day–Labor Day) noon–7 p.m. Monday–Saturday. At 28 miles from Hillsboro, the cost and drive are worthwhile when families want a full afternoon of water features.
Good to know: splash pad, zero-depth entry, water slides, lazy river, play structure, restrooms. Closed Sundays.
Parent tip: Splash Station is closed Sundays — plan your Cleburne trip for Monday through Saturday during the Memorial Day to Labor Day season.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Splash Station city page.
3. Mountainview Park Splash Pad (Waco)
A committed about 43 min drive from Hillsboro — treat it as a half-day destination rather than a quick stop.
Location: 2325 Mountainview Dr, Waco, TX 76710
The full experience without the full price tag: Mountainview Park Splash Pad in Waco delivers what water parks charge $30 to access — multiple play zones, interactive features, and enough variety that kids don't get bored after ten minutes. Parents get shade, kids get soaked, and the budget stays intact. The surrounding amenities (playground, pavilion, trails if you're lucky) stretch the outing into a real afternoon. Free admission and a proven winner.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic areas, walking trails, lake waco views, pavilion.
Parent tip: Mountainview runs shorter hours than the other city pads (11am–7pm vs. 8am–10pm) and is seasonal May–September only. Plan accordingly — it's worth the shorter window for the cooler northwest location on peak heat days.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Mountainview Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Cameron Park Splash Pad (Waco)
At 31.2 miles, one of the farther picks from Hillsboro — pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.
Location: 2601 Sturgis Rd, Waco, TX 76706
The water-play goldmine for toddlers in Waco: Little swimmers just figuring out water love Cameron Park Splash Pad because there's no deep end to fear and every spray is at their level. The surrounding park keeps parents sane with shade, restrooms, and usually a snack area within shouting distance. Come early morning when it's calmest and you'll wonder why you ever tried the crowded midday time slots.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic tables, restrooms, brazos river views, trails.
Parent tip: Cameron Park gets busy on summer weekends near the zoo entrance. The splash pad area is set apart from the main zoo traffic — park along Sturgis Road and you'll often find a quieter crowd at the water.
5. Kendrick Park Splash Pad (Waco)
Not a quick stop from Hillsboro at 31.7 miles — best combined with other Waco stops to make the drive worthwhile.
Location: 4011 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 76711
Closest splash pad to downtown Waco — modern playground, shady pavilion, and free parking: Kendrick Park sits less than a mile from the heart of Waco and checks all the practical boxes: a modern playground alongside the splash pad, a shady pavilion for parents, picnic tables, basketball courts, and fitness equipment. Free parking on-site. Open daily 8am–10pm during the season, no admission. A solid neighborhood option when you don't want to drive anywhere.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pavilion, picnic tables, shade, basketball courts.
Parent tip: The pavilion fills on weekend mornings when families plan longer stays — get there before 9 a.m. if you want shade seating without competition.
6. Midlothian Community Park Splash Pad (Midlothian)
A proper outing from Hillsboro at 32.7 miles — the scale here is hard to match closer to Hillsboro.
Location: 3601 S 14th St, Midlothian, TX 76065
A half-day park in Midlothian that justifies the extra drive from Hillsboro: Midlothian Community Park spans 105 acres with enough amenity rotation — splash, playground, fishing, ball fields, trails, volleyball — that you're not fighting the same crowd twice. The fresh-water splash pad is a difference you'll notice on sensitive-skin kids.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, fishing pond, walking trails, ball fields, pavilion.
Parent tip: Splash pad runs 8am–9pm seasonally. Park in the playground lot, not the baseball complex lots — it's a long walk from the wrong side of the park.
Before heading out, review the Midlothian Community Park status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
How we picked these
Hillsboro has no municipal splash pad of its own, so we expanded the search to 35 miles. We focused on publicly accessible pads with confirmed hours, on-site facilities, and enough park amenities to make the drive worthwhile. Picks span Waco, Woodway, Cleburne, and Midlothian — different directions offering different experiences. We weighted free options and larger parks that justify the drive time.Planning your visit
These pads span two metros, so hours and seasons vary. Waco city pads run 8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily in summer; Mountainview Park is 11 a.m.–7 p.m., May–September. The Carleen Bright Arboretum (Woodway) is open April 1–September 30, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Splash Station in Cleburne runs Memorial Day–Labor Day, noon–7 p.m. Monday–Saturday (closed Sundays). Midlothian Community Park runs 8 a.m.–9 p.m. seasonally. None require reservations except Midlothian's pavilion. Confirm hours before driving — call the parks department for Waco pads.For more kids' events near Hillsboro this week, see the Hillsboro events page.
Hillsboro 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 — Carleen Bright Arboretum Splash Pad and most Hillsboro 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 Splash Station — standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Hillsboro Splash Pads — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Hillsboro, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout splash pads within about 35 miles of Hillsboro. The top picks include Carleen Bright Arboretum Splash Pad, Splash Station and Mountainview Park Splash Pad — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Hillsboro are free?
5 of the 6 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Carleen Bright Arboretum Splash Pad, Mountainview Park Splash Pad and Cameron Park Splash Pad. The rest charge admission — check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Hillsboro?
Carleen Bright Arboretum Splash Pad in Woodway is the closest pick at about 27.3 miles from Hillsboro. 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 Hillsboro splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Hillsboro-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 Hillsboro open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Hillsboro-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.