Within 15 miles of Pelican Bay, TX · Updated 2026-06-29Pelican Bay sits on the north shore of Lake Worth, a small community on the edge of Fort Worth's northwest suburbs. The closest public splash pads are in White Settlement and Benbrook to the southeast. Splash Dayz Water Park in White Settlement is the big-day option, and Benbrook's free community pad is the quick weekday stop.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Pelican Bay
1. Splash Dayz Water Park (White Settlement)
From Pelican Bay, it runs about 11 min door-to-door, and White Settlement's roads are simple to follow from the highway.
Location: 405 N Las Vegas Trl, White Settlement, TX 76108
Best full-day water option near Pelican Bay: When you want more than a spray pad for a summer day, Splash Dayz is the answer at 7 miles. Load up the crew, grab free parking, and spend the day.
Good to know: wave pool, lazy river, water slides, kids splash pad, concessions, restrooms.
Parent tip: Weekdays from late June through July are noticeably calmer — weekends get crowded enough that the wave pool becomes a group experience rather than a family one. Pack snacks; outside food is generally permitted in the picnic area.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Splash Dayz Water Park portal.
2. Marine Park Aquatic Center (Fort Worth)
For Pelican Bay families, plan about 14 min each way, and Fort Worth is easy to get around once you're there.
Location: 303 NW 20th St, Fort Worth, TX 76164
Spray pad, wading pool, AND a slide in one stop: Marine Park gives different family members different experiences at one facility. Everyone finds their lane.
Good to know: splash pad, zero-depth wading pool, water slide, lap lanes, concessions, restrooms.
Parent tip: The seasonal schedule starts Memorial Day weekend and hours vary between weekdays and weekends — confirm current hours on the City of Fort Worth parks website before your first visit of the season.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Marine Park Aquatic Center city page.
3. Benbrook Community Splash Pad (Benbrook)
Starting in Pelican Bay, the drive takes about 16 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 911 Winscott Road, Benbrook, TX 76126
City Hall location keeps the facilities well-maintained: Regular maintenance cycles and clean restrooms are a practical advantage when choosing between free pads in the area.
Good to know: splash pad, walking trails, restrooms.
Parent tip: Call the parks department at 817-249-6063 if you want to confirm it's open before you drive over — hours run until dark, which in summer means a late-afternoon visit still gives you two or three solid hours of water time.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Benbrook Community facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Safari Splash (Fort Worth Zoo) (Fort Worth)
Heading out of Pelican Bay, budget about 19 min on the road, short enough for a spur-of-the-moment weekday trip.
Location: 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110
Zoo admission plus water park — one ticket covers it all: Safari Splash at the Fort Worth Zoo comes included with regular admission. Four water slides handle the older kids, a dump tower rewards the brave, and the dedicated toddler zone — animal-shaped water cannons, low-intensity sprayers, gentle ground jets — is built for kids ages 2-4 who aren't ready for anything tall yet.
Good to know: water slides, dump tower, toddler splash area, splash pad.
Parent tip: Safari Splash runs its own seasonal schedule separate from the zoo's general hours — check the Fort Worth Zoo website to confirm it's open before you pack the swimsuits. It typically runs late May through Labor Day.
5. Heritage Park (Fort Worth)
From Pelican Bay, it runs about 22 min door-to-door, and Fort Worth's roads are simple to follow from the highway.
Location: 1501 W Seminary Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76115
Open green space makes this viable for picnic outings alongside water play: Room to spread out without feeling crowded against the playground. Useful for mixed-age groups who want a full half-day outing.
Good to know: seasonal splash pad, playground, picnic areas, shade trees, restrooms.
Parent tip: The splash pad operates seasonally — call the Fort Worth Parks and Recreation department or check their parks page to confirm opening dates before planning a water day around it.
How we picked these
Picks were drawn from public venues within 20 miles of Pelican Bay, ranked by distance. Near-duplicate entries for the same physical location were collapsed to one pick. Priority went to venues with photos and confirmed public access through Labor Day.Planning your visit
Tarrant County splash season runs Memorial Day through Labor Day. Free pads open around 10 AM. Splash Dayz runs a full summer season with modest admission fees. Pack sun-protective swimwear, water shoes, and sunscreen. Admission-based venues are worth a quick hours check before driving in summer, as schedules can shift mid-season.For more kids' events near Pelican Bay this week, see the Pelican Bay events page.
Pelican Bay 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: Splash Dayz Water Park and most Pelican Bay 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 Marine Park Aquatic Center, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Pelican Bay Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Pelican Bay, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 15 miles of Pelican Bay. The top picks include Splash Dayz Water Park, Marine Park Aquatic Center and Benbrook Community Splash Pad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Pelican Bay are free?
2 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Benbrook Community Splash Pad and Heritage Park. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Pelican Bay?
Splash Dayz Water Park in White Settlement is the closest pick at about 7.1 miles from Pelican Bay. 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 Pelican Bay splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Pelican Bay-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 Pelican Bay open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Pelican Bay-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.