Within 50 miles of Post, TX · Updated 2026-06-29Post is a small Garza County town where summer heat comes early and stays late. The closest splash pads are in Lubbock, about 37 miles west — the city added three free spray parks in 2024 that give Post families a solid summer day trip destination. Young City Park in Shallowater is a closer paid option if you prefer fewer crowds. Here are the best splash pads near Post, TX for the 2026 summer season.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Post
1. Rodgers Splash Pad (Lubbock)
about 55 min from Post each way, but Lubbock rewards the drive if you plan a few hours.
Location: 3200 Bates Street, Lubbock, TX 79415
North Lubbock's free spray park with the best playground attached: Rodgers Splash Pad pairs modern climbing structures and swings with water arches and spray loops. All three Lubbock city pads have the same water features; Rodgers stands out for its playground equipment. Free, ADA accessible, open Wednesday–Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 37 miles from Post.
Good to know: splash pad, ground sprays, water arches, spray loops, playground, ADA accessible. Closed Tuesdays.
Parent tip: Tuesday opens late here (noon), while Mae Simmons closes Thursday mornings and Maxey on Wednesday mornings. The city staggers maintenance so at least two of the three free pads are at full hours every day.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Rodgers portal.
2. Maxey Splash Pad (Lubbock)
about 55 min from Post each way, but Lubbock rewards the drive if you plan a few hours.
Location: 4020 30th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410
Free Lubbock splash pad — 37 miles west of Post: Maxey Splash Pad at 4020 30th St is the newest of Lubbock's three free city spray parks. Ground sprays, water arches, spray loops, covered seating, restrooms, and full ADA accessibility at no cost. Open Thursday through Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday opens at noon for maintenance. One of three free pads the city added in 2024.
Good to know: splash pad, ground sprays, water arches, spray loops, covered seating, ADA accessible. Closed Wednesdays.
Parent tip: Wednesday is Maxey's late-open day. On Wednesdays, Mae Simmons and Rodgers pads are both running full hours — the city designed it this way intentionally. Always two full-hours pads available.
3. Mae Simmons Splash Pad (Lubbock)
At 35.8 miles, one of the farther picks from Post, so pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.
Location: 1301 E 24th Street, Lubbock, TX 79404
One of three free Lubbock pads — Mae Simmons is the east Lubbock anchor: Mae Simmons Splash Pad serves the east side of Lubbock with ground sprays, water arches, and loops, plus a full playground and covered seating. Free, ADA accessible, open Friday–Wednesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Thursday noon). 36 miles from Post on US-380 west.
Good to know: splash pad, ground sprays, water arches, playground, covered seating, ADA accessible. Closed Thursdays.
Parent tip: If Thursday is your day to visit Lubbock, skip Mae Simmons and head to Maxey or Rodgers — both are at full 10 a.m. hours on Thursdays.
4. Young City Park Splash Pad (Shallowater)
about 74 min from Post each way, but Shallowater rewards the drive if you plan a few hours.
Location: 301 Avenue Q, Shallowater, TX 79363
Season pass for $35 at Shallowater's Young City Park near Lubbock: Young City Park offers $3 daily or $35 season access (June–mid-August, Tuesday–Saturday). The splash pad is supported by a playground, two dog parks, pavilion, and walking trail. Smaller and calmer than Lubbock's city pads; about 49 miles from Post. Waiver required per child.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, dog park, pavilion, walking trail, picnic areas. Closed Sundays & Mondays.
Parent tip: The splash pad requires a signed liability waiver per child. Download the form from the city website ahead of time. Evening birthday party rentals are available Tuesday–Saturday 7–9 p.m. at $75/hour minimum.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Young City Park city page.
5. Water Rampage (Lubbock)
A longer haul from Post at 35.1 miles, so save this one for when you want a real change of scenery.
Location: 6602 Marsha Sharp Freeway, Lubbock, TX 79407
Step up to a full water park — 35 miles west in Lubbock: Water Rampage has operated for 35+ years with a wave pool, lazy river, multiple water slides, and Pirate's Cove, a dedicated children's area for toddler through tween. It's the best water park in the West Texas region. Opens Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day. When the free spray pads aren't enough excitement for the day, this is the answer.
Good to know: wave pool, water slides, lazy river, children's area, splash pad, pavilion rentals.
Parent tip: Day visits run noon to 6 p.m. Private evening parties are available 6:30–8:30 p.m. Book online via FareHarbor or call (806) 771-5953. Opens May 23 for the 2026 season.
How we picked these
Post has no in-town splash pad, so all picks are within a 40-mile drive. Lubbock's three free city-run spray parks are the main options — they're free, well-maintained, and open most days from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Young City Park in Shallowater is the smaller paid alternative with less crowd pressure. Water Rampage in Lubbock rounds out the list for families wanting a full water park day.Planning your visit
Lubbock's free spray parks run Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., each closing one weekday for maintenance — the city staggers the schedule so at least two are always open. Young City Park in Shallowater runs Tuesday through Saturday, June through mid-August. Water Rampage opens Memorial Day weekend and closes after Labor Day. From Post, take US-380 west to Lubbock for the quickest route.For more kids' events near Post this week, see the Post events page.
Post 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: Rodgers Splash Pad and most Post 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 Maxey Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Post Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Post, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 50 miles of Post. The top picks include Rodgers Splash Pad, Maxey Splash Pad and Mae Simmons Splash Pad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Post are free?
3 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Rodgers Splash Pad, Maxey Splash Pad and Mae Simmons Splash Pad. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Post?
Water Rampage in Lubbock is the closest pick at about 35.1 miles from Post. 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 Post splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Post-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 Post open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Post-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.