The Texas Hill Country doesn't have splash pads on every corner, but Llano's Badu Park has its own free pad right in town, and Fredericksburg, Burnet, and Kerrville all have good options within 45 miles. We ranked the best picks by water features, operating season, and what the surrounding park delivers beyond the spray zone.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Llano
1. Badu Park Splash Pad (Matt & Doraliza Raglin Splash Pad) (Llano)
Location: 300 Legion Dr, Llano, TX 78643
Llano👶 Best for all ages💲 Free🚗 0.2 miSplash pad plus Llano River beach in one city park: Badu Park pairs the free splash pad with actual river access and a sandy beach — a combo you don't get at suburban spray parks. The splash pad is the starting point; the beach and river are what keep families there all afternoon.
Good to know: splash pad, sandy beach, swimming area, fishing pier, pavilions, river access.
Parent tip: The splash pad runs 11am–8pm. The Llano River access and sandy beach at Badu Park are the real draws alongside the splash pad — plan to stay longer than a quick spray session.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Badu Park (Matt & Doraliza Raglin) portal.
2. Cottonwood Shores Splash Pad (Cottonwood Shores)
Worth the 29-mile drive from Llano, and Cottonwood Shores has more than enough to justify the trip.
Location: 4111 Cottonwood Dr, Cottonwood Shores, TX 78657
11am–8pm hours match Llano's schedule: The same 11am–8pm operating window makes it easy to plan a Cottonwood Shores day the same way you'd plan a Badu Park visit — no early-morning race required.
Good to know: splash pad, Highland Lakes location, seasonal hours, free admission.
Parent tip: Open 11am–8pm in season. Cottonwood Shores is a small city near Marble Falls — call the city directly to confirm current season dates before making the drive.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Cottonwood Shores city page.
3. Town Pool Splashpad (Fredericksburg)
At 34 miles, one of the farther picks from Llano, so pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.
Location: 105 W Travis St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Walkable to Fredericksburg's Main Street from the splash pad: The Town Pool location puts the splash pad within easy walking distance of Fredericksburg's dining and shops. A splash session plus a Main Street lunch makes it a worthwhile Hill Country day trip from Llano.
Good to know: splash pad, free admission. Closed Mondays.
Parent tip: Closed Mondays for maintenance. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday 9am–7pm, Sunday noon–5pm. The 2026 season runs May 2 through September 27. Restrooms available at the Town Pool during operating hours.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Town Pool Splashpad facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Carver Park Sprayground (Kerrville)
A genuine about 68 min drive each way from Llano, worth it if the kids need serious space to roam.
Location: 400 Schreiner St, Kerrville, TX 78028
Touch-activated spray system on a cycle: Carver Park's sprayground activates with a touch on the orange pole's button rather than a sensor or manual valve. The cycle system means kids get consistent on/off timing once they figure out the activation.
Good to know: touch-activated spray, playground, trail loop, large pavilion, BBQ area, multi-use field.
Parent tip: Activate the water by touching the button on top of the short orange pole near the spray area. Carver Park has a reservable pavilion and BBQ area — worth noting for group outings.
Before heading out, review the Carver Park status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
5. Louise Hays Park Splash Pad (Kerrville)
From Llano, budget about 68 min each way, but Kerrville has enough to fill a full morning out.
Location: 202 Thompson Dr, Kerrville, TX 78028
Pair with Carver Park for a complete Kerrville splash day: Both Kerrville pads are about 45 miles from Llano and only half a mile from each other. If you're making the drive, visit both — different settings and feature types that together cover a full morning.
Good to know: splash pad, Guadalupe River trails, biking paths, riverside location, free admission.
Parent tip: Louise Hays is right across from downtown Kerrville — combine the splash pad visit with a Kerrville main-street lunch for a complete Hill Country day trip from Llano.
How we picked these
Every pick here is free or low-cost, public, and operating in summer 2026. We weighted feature mix, shade, restroom access, and distance from Llano. The Hill Country's lower splash pad density means we extended the radius to 50 miles — a realistic summer day-trip distance for families in this part of Texas. No paid placements — we have no relationship with any park or city.Planning your visit
Badu Park's splash pad opens at 11am daily in season. Fredericksburg's Town Pool Splashpad runs May 2 through September 27, closed Mondays. Kerrville's Carver Park is touch-activated and open in season. Call ahead before driving to any Hill Country splash pad — rural parks have shorter seasons and maintenance windows that close pads without broad notice. Pack water shoes, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes.For more kids' events near Llano this week, see the Llano events page.
Llano 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: Badu Park Splash Pad (Matt & Doraliza Raglin Splash Pad) and most Llano 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 Cottonwood Shores Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Llano Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Llano, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 45 miles of Llano. The top picks include Badu Park Splash Pad (Matt & Doraliza Raglin Splash Pad), Cottonwood Shores Splash Pad and Town Pool Splashpad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are splash pads near Llano free?
Yes, every splash pad in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Badu Park Splash Pad (Matt & Doraliza Raglin Splash Pad), Cottonwood Shores Splash Pad, Town Pool Splashpad or any of the other picks.
What is the closest splash pad to Llano?
Badu Park Splash Pad (Matt & Doraliza Raglin Splash Pad) is the closest pick at under a mile from Llano. 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 Llano splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Llano-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 Llano open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Llano-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.