Summer in Arkansas means rising temperatures. These water parks and splash pads across the Natural State are fantastic places for families to cool off, beat the summer heat, and have a great time doing it! Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and lots of energy, because these excellent locales will get the kids out of the house and entertain the whole family for hours on end. There are so many summer things to do in Arkansas, just look below.
- Parrot Island
Facebook/Parrot Island Waterpark Fort Smith’s newest water park attraction can’t be left off this list! This park features slides and attractions for all ages. Check out the website for more information!
- Julius Breckling Riverfront Park
Flickr/Anthony K. Valley These two free splash pads in downtown Little Rock are great spots to cool off. Children under 5 can head to Riverfront Park’s Children’s Play Area behind the Marriott Hotel. The Peabody Adventure Park near the climbing wall features a cool splash pad that’s open for children of all ages. The Little Rock city website has more information.
- Diamond Springs Water Park
Facebook/Melissa Durr Located within the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, this is a fun way for families to cool off after a hard day of digging in the sun for diamonds. The water park features waterfall hideaways, geysers shooting from beneath the surface, sprayers, waterspouts, cascades, two water slides, and more. The Arkansas State Parks website has additional information.
- Tyndall Park
Facebook/Courtney Farnam This Benton community mini-water park features splash pads that are popular with small children. Tyndall Park also has water spouts, a misting arc, and filling-and-dumping buckets. Check out the Benton city website for more information.
- Arkadelphia Aquatic Center
Facebook/Arkadelphia Parks & Tourism Come enjoy all kinds of water activities here! Arkadelphia Aquatic Center boasts arching sprays, floating play pieces, a pool with zero depth entry, and an open-flume water slide. For more information about the park, including hours of operation and admission fees, check out the City of Arkadelphia website.
- Parker Park Community Center
Anna Mcdaniel/Google Maps This Jonesboro, Arkansas public park, opened in 2014, features splash pads for families to enjoy. The Jonesboro website has additional information.
- Splash Zone
cityofjacksonville.net This popular Jacksonville park features a water tunnel, two water slides, umbrella-shaped water showers, and a tea cup water attraction for small children. Get more information at the Jacksonville city website, including hours of operation, as they vary throughout the summer.
- War Memorial Park
rivermarket.info The splash playground at this Little Rock park offers rocks, nets, nooks, and crannies to climb on with fountains, mist, and plenty of water. A covered slide and a view of Coleman Creek nearby are also a draw for families. The Little Rock website has more information on this free park.
- Crenshaw Springs
Facebook/Crenshaw Springs Water Park This White Hall water park is named after the natural spring that attracted the community’s first residents to the area. Families will find two 40-foot slides, a lazy river, zero-depth entry pool, a rock climbing wall, and splash areas for the little ones. Check out their Facebook for hours of operation and admission prices.
- Rogers Aquatic Center
Facebook/Rogers Aquatics Center Located in Rogers, this park is a beautiful 3-acre water park filled with water fun for the whole family. The park offers daily admission or “Splash Passes” for families to enjoy the facilities. The city of Rogers website has more information.
- Crystal Falls at Magic Springs
Flickr/David Sanabria This Hot Springs water park is a popular part of the Magic Springs amusement park. Crystal Falls features thrilling slides for daredevils and a variety of fun water activities for the family. Daily admission and season passes are available. The Magic Springs website has more details.
- Wild River Country
looking4mockingbirds.wikispaces.com Editor’s Note: Wild River Country is currently closed.This North Little Rock water park is the biggest in the state and sets the standard for summer fun with numerous thrill slides and a huge wave pool. Daily admission and season passes are available at the park, which also offers specialty attraction discount days throughout the summer season.
The usual Arkansas summer weather can seem unbearably humid, but a trip to these Arkansas splash pads and water parks for the family will certainly make it seem cooler. Have fun at these spots across the Natural State!
Facebook/Parrot Island Waterpark
Fort Smith’s newest water park attraction can’t be left off this list! This park features slides and attractions for all ages. Check out the website for more information!
Flickr/Anthony K. Valley
These two free splash pads in downtown Little Rock are great spots to cool off. Children under 5 can head to Riverfront Park’s Children’s Play Area behind the Marriott Hotel. The Peabody Adventure Park near the climbing wall features a cool splash pad that’s open for children of all ages. The Little Rock city website has more information.
Facebook/Melissa Durr
Located within the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, this is a fun way for families to cool off after a hard day of digging in the sun for diamonds. The water park features waterfall hideaways, geysers shooting from beneath the surface, sprayers, waterspouts, cascades, two water slides, and more. The Arkansas State Parks website has additional information.
Facebook/Courtney Farnam
This Benton community mini-water park features splash pads that are popular with small children. Tyndall Park also has water spouts, a misting arc, and filling-and-dumping buckets. Check out the Benton city website for more information.
Facebook/Arkadelphia Parks & Tourism
Come enjoy all kinds of water activities here! Arkadelphia Aquatic Center boasts arching sprays, floating play pieces, a pool with zero depth entry, and an open-flume water slide. For more information about the park, including hours of operation and admission fees, check out the City of Arkadelphia website.
Anna Mcdaniel/Google Maps
This Jonesboro, Arkansas public park, opened in 2014, features splash pads for families to enjoy. The Jonesboro website has additional information.
cityofjacksonville.net
This popular Jacksonville park features a water tunnel, two water slides, umbrella-shaped water showers, and a tea cup water attraction for small children. Get more information at the Jacksonville city website, including hours of operation, as they vary throughout the summer.
rivermarket.info
The splash playground at this Little Rock park offers rocks, nets, nooks, and crannies to climb on with fountains, mist, and plenty of water. A covered slide and a view of Coleman Creek nearby are also a draw for families. The Little Rock website has more information on this free park.
Facebook/Crenshaw Springs Water Park
This White Hall water park is named after the natural spring that attracted the community’s first residents to the area. Families will find two 40-foot slides, a lazy river, zero-depth entry pool, a rock climbing wall, and splash areas for the little ones. Check out their Facebook for hours of operation and admission prices.
Facebook/Rogers Aquatics Center
Located in Rogers, this park is a beautiful 3-acre water park filled with water fun for the whole family. The park offers daily admission or “Splash Passes” for families to enjoy the facilities. The city of Rogers website has more information.
Flickr/David Sanabria
This Hot Springs water park is a popular part of the Magic Springs amusement park. Crystal Falls features thrilling slides for daredevils and a variety of fun water activities for the family. Daily admission and season passes are available. The Magic Springs website has more details.
looking4mockingbirds.wikispaces.com
Editor’s Note: Wild River Country is currently closed.This North Little Rock water park is the biggest in the state and sets the standard for summer fun with numerous thrill slides and a huge wave pool. Daily admission and season passes are available at the park, which also offers specialty attraction discount days throughout the summer season.
Did we miss any of your favorite water-themed attractions? Tell us about them in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Parrot Island Waterpark, 7300 Zero St, Fort Smith, AR 72903, USAAddress: 400 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USAAddress: Diamond Springs Water Park, 209 State Park Rd, Murfreesboro, AR 71958, USAAddress: 913 E Sevier St, Benton, AR 72015, USAAddress: 2575 Twin Rivers Dr, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, USAAddress: 1506 N Church St, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USAAddress: 201 W Martin St, Jacksonville, AR 72076, USAAddress: Little Rock, AR 72205, USAAddress: 9801 Dollarway Rd, White Hall, AR 71602, USAAddress: Rogers Aquatics Center, 1707 S 26th St, Rogers, AR 72758, USAAddress: Magic Springs, AR 72686, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arkansas Splash Pads And Water Parks May 04, 2021 Lisa Sammons What are some activities for summer in Arkansas? Summer in Arkansas may be hot, but there’s plenty to enjoy! We have so many fun places to check out, from our many lakes and rivers to a drive-thru animal adventure at Wild Wilderness Safari in Gentry. Animal lovers will also want to check out Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, it’s a big cat sanctuary with plenty of tigers. Cosmic Caverns in Berryville is one of the best caves in the country to explore, and it stays a cool 64 degrees all year. Check out this list for more fun summer destinations! Are there swimming holes in Arkansas? We’ve got oodles of swimming holes in Arkansas that are just begging for visitors and locals alike to come get a break from the heat. Cedar Creek, located in Petit Jean State Park, is very popular, as is the Steel Creek Campground area. If you’re fond of hiking, the Mirror Lake Trail will lead you straight to a gorgeous natural swimming hole. It’s about a five-mile trail, but there are plenty of spots to stop and rest along the way, so don’t be discouraged by the length (plus, the reward is more than worth it!). Are there places to kayak and canoe in Arkansas? Siloam Springs Kayak Park is a bit of a hidden gem in Arkansas. It’s not nearly as well-known as some of our other kayaking and canoeing spots, but it’s so much fun! If you want a whole list of rivers to check out, make sure to click here. We particularly love the Eleven Point River; it tends to be a little less busy than some of the other rivers on the list, and the river is not too difficult even for beginners.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arkansas Splash Pads And Water Parks
May 04, 2021
Lisa Sammons
What are some activities for summer in Arkansas? Summer in Arkansas may be hot, but there’s plenty to enjoy! We have so many fun places to check out, from our many lakes and rivers to a drive-thru animal adventure at Wild Wilderness Safari in Gentry. Animal lovers will also want to check out Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, it’s a big cat sanctuary with plenty of tigers. Cosmic Caverns in Berryville is one of the best caves in the country to explore, and it stays a cool 64 degrees all year. Check out this list for more fun summer destinations! Are there swimming holes in Arkansas? We’ve got oodles of swimming holes in Arkansas that are just begging for visitors and locals alike to come get a break from the heat. Cedar Creek, located in Petit Jean State Park, is very popular, as is the Steel Creek Campground area. If you’re fond of hiking, the Mirror Lake Trail will lead you straight to a gorgeous natural swimming hole. It’s about a five-mile trail, but there are plenty of spots to stop and rest along the way, so don’t be discouraged by the length (plus, the reward is more than worth it!). Are there places to kayak and canoe in Arkansas? Siloam Springs Kayak Park is a bit of a hidden gem in Arkansas. It’s not nearly as well-known as some of our other kayaking and canoeing spots, but it’s so much fun! If you want a whole list of rivers to check out, make sure to click here. We particularly love the Eleven Point River; it tends to be a little less busy than some of the other rivers on the list, and the river is not too difficult even for beginners.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Summer in Arkansas may be hot, but there’s plenty to enjoy! We have so many fun places to check out, from our many lakes and rivers to a drive-thru animal adventure at Wild Wilderness Safari in Gentry. Animal lovers will also want to check out Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, it’s a big cat sanctuary with plenty of tigers. Cosmic Caverns in Berryville is one of the best caves in the country to explore, and it stays a cool 64 degrees all year. Check out this list for more fun summer destinations!
Are there swimming holes in Arkansas?
We’ve got oodles of swimming holes in Arkansas that are just begging for visitors and locals alike to come get a break from the heat. Cedar Creek, located in Petit Jean State Park, is very popular, as is the Steel Creek Campground area. If you’re fond of hiking, the Mirror Lake Trail will lead you straight to a gorgeous natural swimming hole. It’s about a five-mile trail, but there are plenty of spots to stop and rest along the way, so don’t be discouraged by the length (plus, the reward is more than worth it!).
Are there places to kayak and canoe in Arkansas?
Siloam Springs Kayak Park is a bit of a hidden gem in Arkansas. It’s not nearly as well-known as some of our other kayaking and canoeing spots, but it’s so much fun! If you want a whole list of rivers to check out, make sure to click here. We particularly love the Eleven Point River; it tends to be a little less busy than some of the other rivers on the list, and the river is not too difficult even for beginners.
