Lakeport sits just west of Longview, which means your family is minutes from one of East Texas's most impressive free splash pad networks. Longview alone runs four public spray parks, and nearby Kilgore adds a pool and a water ranch to the mix. Here are 7 picks to help you find the right cool-down spot this summer.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Lakeport
1. Jack Mann Splash Pad at Lear Park (Longview)
Starting in Lakeport, the drive takes about 15 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 100 H.G. Mosley Pkwy, Longview, TX 75604
Three themed zones and five pavilions make Jack Mann the regional splash standard: Longview's Jack Mann Splash Pad at Lear Park delivers a consistent, family-sized experience. The three themed spray sections give kids a reason to roam, and five covered pavilions keep the adults comfortable. Free admission, daily hours 9 a.m. to sundown, Wednesdays closed. It's an easy 10-mile run from Lakeport.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, restrooms, pavilion, picnic areas, three themed zones. Closed Wednesdays.
Parent tip: Jack Mann closes every Wednesday for maintenance. Tuesday or Thursday mornings are the sweet spot for shorter lines and a cooler pad surface.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Jack Mann at Lear Park portal.
2. Spring Hill Park Splash Pad (Longview)
For Lakeport families, plan about 15 min each way, and Longview is easy to get around once you're there.
Location: 738 Fenton Road, Longview, TX 75604
Free splash pad and accessible playground in the same North Longview park: Spring Hill Park at 738 Fenton Road has a seasonal splash pad alongside one of East Texas's better universally accessible playgrounds. It's free, open April through late September, and the 10-mile drive from Lakeport makes it a realistic weekday pick.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pavilion, restrooms, accessible playground, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Call the city parks line at 903-237-1270 to confirm the renovation timeline before visiting — the 2026 upgrades may have shifted the splash pad's opening date.
3. Stamper Park Splash Pad (Longview)
Heading out of Lakeport, budget under 10 min on the road, short enough for a spur-of-the-moment weekday trip.
Location: 400 Fair St, Longview, TX 75602
Under 6 miles from Lakeport, Stamper Park now has a pool and splash pad together: The 2026 upgrade at Stamper Park in Longview combined a zero-entry pool, water slide, and spray area into one free complex. The 15.8-acre grounds include a playground and pavilion rental. It's the easiest drive from Lakeport of all Longview's splash options.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pavilion, restrooms, picnic area, ball fields.
Parent tip: The 2026 expansion at Stamper is new — confirm the aquatic pool's opening date on the Longview Parks website before making the drive.
4. Kilgore City Park Pool (Kilgore)
Leaving Lakeport, you're looking at about 15 min without traffic, close enough that the kids won't gripe about the car ride.
Location: 1000 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662
Pool plus splash area in Kilgore — 10 miles from Lakeport for a longer water day: Kilgore City Park Pool at Stone Road Park is the area's best option for combining a real pool with splash features. Shade trees and picnic tables make it work as an all-morning outing. About 10 miles from Lakeport — a quick, uncrowded drive. Confirm hours ahead of time.
Good to know: splash pad, public pool, playground, restrooms, picnic tables, shade trees.
Parent tip: Call Kilgore Parks and Recreation ahead to confirm the pool's summer schedule — hours can shift between school-year and summer. The drive on US-259 is quick.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Kilgore City Park Pool city page.
5. White Oak City Park Splash Pad (White Oak)
From Lakeport, it runs about 17 min door-to-door, and White Oak's roads are simple to follow from the highway.
Location: E Magnolia St, White Oak, TX 75647
White Oak City Park splash pad — low-key, free, and 11 miles from Lakeport: White Oak's community splash pad doesn't have the themed zones of Jack Mann, but it also doesn't have the Wednesday closures or weekend crowds. Free, with a playground and picnic area, and a quick drive north of Lakeport on US-80.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic area, restrooms.
Parent tip: Check the City of White Oak website or call ahead to confirm the seasonal schedule — smaller city parks can have shorter operating windows than the Longview pads.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the White Oak City Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
6. Fair Park Splash Pad (Henderson)
Worth the 18.6-mile drive from Lakeport, and Henderson has more than enough to justify the trip.
Location: 400 Fair Park Dr, Henderson, TX 75652
Late summer splash option — Henderson's Fair Park is open through October 1: Fair Park in Henderson runs its free spray area later than most, giving Lakeport families a viable splash option into early fall. At 1,800 square feet with a playground and lighted pavilion, it's a complete afternoon stop. About 18.6 miles from Lakeport — the farthest pick but the best answer for September visits.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pavilion, restrooms, picnic tables, ball fields.
Parent tip: Henderson's season extends a full month past Labor Day — a great late-summer option when other area pads have already closed for the year.
Before heading out, review the Fair Park status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
How we picked these
Every pick is a free or low-cost public facility open to all families. We skipped HOA-only parks and members-only pools. Picks are ranked by water-feature richness, shade and restrooms access, and how practical they are for a Lakeport family making the short drive.Planning your visit
East Texas summers run hot from late May through mid-September. Most Longview pads open April 1 and stay through late September. Wednesdays are often closed for maintenance at the Lear Park complex, so plan Tuesday or Thursday for a guaranteed open pad. Bring sunscreen, water shoes, and a change of clothes — the drives from Lakeport are all under 15 minutes.For more kids' events near Lakeport this week, see the Lakeport events page.
Lakeport 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: Jack Mann Splash Pad at Lear Park and most Lakeport 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 Spring Hill Park Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Lakeport Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Lakeport, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout splash pads within about 20 miles of Lakeport. The top picks include Jack Mann Splash Pad at Lear Park, Spring Hill Park Splash Pad and Stamper 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 Lakeport are free?
5 of the 6 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Jack Mann Splash Pad at Lear Park, Spring Hill Park Splash Pad and Stamper Park Splash Pad. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Lakeport?
Stamper Park Splash Pad in Longview is the closest pick at about 5.9 miles from Lakeport. 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 Lakeport splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Lakeport-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 Lakeport open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Lakeport-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.