We get asked all the time, “which is the best lazy river in Texas?”. You may think this would be an easy question for us to answer… BUT they are all amazing lazy rivers for different reasons! I mean, is there such a thing as a bad lazy river??
So, without further adieu, here is our list of the top ten “best” lazy rivers in Texas senior-superlative-style so we can give them each their due. If you’re looking for information about pools at family friendly resorts in Texas too, check out our guide to pools and lazy rivers for endless options for the entire family to enjoy some family fun and beat the summer heat at the best Texas Family Resorts in the lone star state!
Be sure to check out our list of the Top 17 Best Family Resorts in Texas!
Top 13 Best Lazy Rivers in Texas
Check out our list of the Top 13 BEST lazy rivers in Texas while you’re planning your next family adventure across Texas.
1. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa – San Antonio, Texas
Award: Best Personality in a Lazy River
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa‘s lazy river is my personal favorite to float along. It’s clean, it’s pretty, it’s temperature controlled, and it’s long enough for a nice relaxing float. It is actually the longest lazy river of our featured Texas Family Resorts, at an impressive 1,100 feet. The whole river is about 3.5-4 feet deep and there are single and double tubes available. Unfortunately, there are no kid’s inner tubes, but our 4 and 6 year old managed the larger tubes just fine.
The winding river is lined with beautiful regional San Antonio flora giving off a tranquil hill country vibe synonymous with relaxation. When you get tired of the lazy river (like that could happen), you can also check out the family-friendly activity pool, kids pool, sandy beach pool, and an adults-only pool as well as two hot tubs and multiple water slides, even one that launches you into the lazy river!
What we love most about it:
- Option for a water slide that launches you into the Lazy River
- Long but never too far from where you started (or your towel!)
- Not connected to the beach area – no sand in the lazy river!
Read our full resort review here: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa
Looking to experience JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa – 23808 Resort Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78261
2. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa– San Antonio, Texas
Award: Lazy River Most Likely to Live by the Beach
The “Ramblin’ River” lazy river at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio will make you feel immersed in nature with its large shade trees and vibey Hill Country setting. It is a 950-foot oasis of relaxation that contrasts nicely with the bustling activity going on in the resort around you. There are cascading waterfalls that you can either choose to go under or can completely avoid just crossing to the other side of the river. It also passes by a sandy beach area, because what pairs better with a man-made river than a man-made beach?
The Hyatt provides single, double, and kid-sized tubes so everyone can ride comfortably. This lazy river connects directly to the main activity pool but not the adults-only or kids pools. Although it is temperature controlled, it can still feel cool on a brisk morning, which luckily doesn’t happen that often in Texas!
What we love most about it:
- Enjoying a drink from the riverside swim-up (float up?) bar
- Immediate access to the “beach” area
- Variety of tube sizes – single, double, kid-sized
Read our full resort review here: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
Looking to experience the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa – 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
3. Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center – Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas
Award: Most likely to get Splashed
The Paradise Springs lazy river at The Gaylord Texan offers a splashy-good time from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This lazy river pool has lots of fountains, cascading waterfalls, and “rapids” to keep you on your toes. There are both single and double tubes available. It is not heated, but it’s only open in the Summer so that’s not a problem. There is a heated outdoor pool year-round at the main resort if you happen to visit the Gaylord Texan in the “off season”.
The Paradise Springs water park pools and lazy river complex is located down the street from the main Gaylord Texan Resort and is accessed via a shuttle or you can walk there (about 15 minutes at a 3-year-old’s pace). Other features to check out at Paradise Springs include a large activity pool, a kids pool, water slides, and a massive water fort playground that you have to see to believe!
What we love most about it:
- Fountains, Cascading Waterfalls, Water Canons make the lazy river feel like a ride
- Paradise Springs Waterpark also gives guests access to the *HUGE* splash fort
- Kona Ice is poolside but note – they cannot charge it to your room number
Read our full resort review here: Gaylord Texan Resort and Spa
Looking to experience the Gaylord Texan Resort without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center –1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051
4. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines – Bastrop / Austin, Texas
Award: Most Likely to Stay Connected
The meandering 1,000 foot lazy river at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort connects all of the resort pools and slides together. It even connects to a fun beachfront pool and a “riverside” swim up bar so you quite literally never have to get out of the lazy river. Single, double, and kids tubes are available. It is not heated so it can be quite chilly in the cooler months, whatever those are in Central Texas!
There are large, beautiful trees that provide natural shade and a very relaxed atmosphere for your trip around the river. Floating in an inner tube, listening to the sound of this resort pools many waterfalls is peak relaxation. Plus, the food at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort is delicious! This resort has a more remote feel than the other Central Texas resorts, nestled in the woods close to Cedar Creek, Texas.
What we love most about it:
- Riverside swim-up bar – duh.
- Taking in the Hill Country views from the lazy river
- Pool lounging under a shady pecan tree. Ahh…
Read our full resort review here: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
Looking to experience the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa – 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd, Cedar Creek, TX 78612
5. Marriott Marquis Houston – Houston, Texas
Award: Most Texan Lazy River
The Marriott Marquis Houston is an upscale hotel located in the heart of downtown Houston with a spectacular, Instagram famous Texas shaped lazy river located on the “Parkside Terrace” pool deck. You can enjoy swimming, lounging poolside, or indulging in great food while taking in the stunning views at this rooftop oasis. And don’t forget about the rooftop bar! This temperature controlled lazy river is sure to put you in a Texas state of mind that would make Tim Riggins proud (iykyk), Texas Forever!
What we love most about it:
- Is it even a question…. the Texas shape of this lazy river!
- Rooftop view of Discovery Green from the pool deck
- Poolside dining menu… and basically every other menu at this hotel!
Read our full resort review here: Marriott Marquis Houston
Looking to experience the Marriott Marquis Houston without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍Marriott Marquis Houston – 1777 Walker St, Houston, TX 77010
6. Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston – Galveston, Texas
Award: Most Adventurous Lazy River
The Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston lazy river is our favorite lazy river located at a true water park. This Schlitterbahn Waterpark has 31 attractions spread out over three different areas, each with a cute German name – Wasserfest, Blastenhoff, and Surfenburg (cute, right?). Each of these sections is surrounded by a lazy river and the thee lazy rivers actually, wait for it…. connect together! Kristal River (Surfenburg) is your classic, relaxing lazy river, Torrent River (Wasserfest) is a cross between a wave pool and a lazy river, and Whitewater River (Blastenhoff) has rapids to navigate. It’s like a lazy river highway system, complete with the Aquaveyer conveyer belt, to get anywhere you want in the water park. Also, in the Winter they enclose part of it and heat it so you can float comfortably all year long!
Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston is a true water park and does not have any accommodations available on the property. The waterpark is walkable from the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa, and Convention Center and the Inn at the Water Park. The Moody Gardens Hotel has a resort-style pool of its own but the Inn at the Water Park is a more cost-effective option. For more of a true resort experience during your stay on Galveston Island, the San Luis Resort, Spa, and Convention Center is located just a short drive away on the seawall.
What we love most about it:
- Wave Pool + Lazy River = F.U.N!
- Using a lazy river as a legit mode of transportation around the waterpark
- Full-tilt waterpark with rides for the whole family
📍Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston– 2109 Gene Lucas Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554
7. Hilton Anatole – Dallas, Texas
Award: Best Lazy River Mullet
The Hilton Anatole lazy river is 360 feet long and connects almost all the water elements of JadeWaters Resort Pool Complex together. It is not heated and plenty of tubes are available to enjoy a float on the lazy river. Be sure to leave time to also check out the two water slides, kids’ splash area, and swim-up bar… in that order.
The Hilton Anatole is located in the heart of Dallas and is the perfect combination of hotel in the front, resort in the back. In addition to the great water park amenities, there are 5 great options for dining on site and did we already mention the swim up bar? Worth noting it a second time.
What we love most about it:
- Lazy River Mullet = Hotel in the front, Lazy River in the back!
- Splash pad and multiple pools also accessible to JadeWater guests
- The best way to beat the heat in Dallas, Texas!
Read our full resort review here: Hilton Anatole
Looking to experience the Hilton Anatole without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍Hilton Anatole – 2201 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
8. Hyatt Vacation Club – Wild Oak Ranch – San Antonio, Texas
Award: Best Kept Secret Lazy River (shhh)
The lazy river at the Hyatt Vacation Club San Antonio Wild Oak Ranch is an 800-foot oasis of relaxation that has recently been updated. It has the same great hill country landscape that we see at its sister resort, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, just down the street. This lazy river is not heated but that rarely matters in the Texas heat. When you get tired of the lazy river, be sure to also check out the indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, and water slide at Wild Oaks Ranch!
The Hyatt Vacation Club San Antonio Wild Oak Ranch is kind of a best-kept secret when it comes to Hill Country resorts. It is a smaller but more private resort compared to the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort with more spacious condo accommodations perfect for larger families. Guests at Wild Oak Ranch also get access to resort amenities and restaurants at the Hill Country Hyatt San Antonio Resort complete with a shuttle. The Secret’s out!
What we love most about it:
- Has more private feel to it compared to bigger resorts
- More spacious accommodations with 1, 2, or 3 bedroom condos
- Family-friendly indoor resort pool with water slide
Read our full resort review here: Hyatt Vacation Club San Antonio Wild Oak Ranch
📍Hyatt Vacation Club at Wild Oak Ranch – 9700 Military Dr W, San Antonio, TX 78251
9. Margaritaville Lake Resort – Lake Conroe, Texas
Award: Lazy River Most Likely To Be The Center of Attention
The infinity-shaped lazy river at the Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe isn’t that long but it’s clean, beautiful, and a central feature of the “Jolly Mon” Water Park. There are also water slides, a water playground, a splash pad, water cannons, multiple pools, and even a swim-up bar. It is not heated, although that usually isn’t an issue in the Houston area, where hot and humid pairs perfectly with a lazy river.
If you get tired of spending time in the pools, don’t forget you also have all the Lake activities at this lakeside resort to keep you entertained, including a nightly BYOB tiki cruise! And when you’re ready to dry off, there are attractions like sports courts, mini golf, and live music on-site to keep you entertained Jimmy Buffet-style!
What we love most about it:
- Jolly Mon Water Park complete with water slides, a lazy river, and a private beach
- Swim-up bar – it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right?
- It’s a short lazy river but it gets the job done
Read our full resort review here: Margaritaville Lake Resort. If you love lake resorts, check out our list of the Top 8 Lake Resorts in Texas!
📍Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe – 600 Margaritaville, Park Way, Montgomery, TX 77356
10. Great Wolf Lodge – Grapevine, Texas
Award: Lazy River Most Likely to Never Have a Bad Hair Day
The indoor lazy river at the Great Wolf Lodge located in Grapevine, just between Dallas and Fort Worth in North Texas, ensures you’ll have a relaxing float even if it’s cold and rainy outside. The Great Wolf Lodge is a super kid-friendly resort within a water park that feels like a full-on Walt Disney World theme park, complete with character appearances!
The water park is perfect for both little and big kids (and adults) with multiple water slides, splash pads, water playgrounds, and pools. There are plenty of activities to do outside the pool too and even themed suites for your family to stay in. Gather your wolf pack entire family and jump in! You can also purchase day passes if you’re not planning to stay overnight.
What we love most about it:
- Something for everyone in the year-round indoor/outdoor water park
- Toddler-friendly water park play spaces
- Family-friendly activities outside the pool too – like the Magi-Quest Adventure
Read our full resort review here: Great Wolf Lodge
📍Great Wolf Lodge Water Park – 100 Great Wolf Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051
11. The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton – The Woodlands / Houston, Texas
Award: Lazy River Most Likely to Choose its Own Adventure
The lazy river at The Woodlands Resort is an impressive 1,005 feet long. It is not heated and is separate from the other pools but winds past the racing slides, the poolside grill, and the super kid-friendly “spray-ground”. Decisions, decisions. Also with golf courses, tennis courts, and shopping nearby, The Woodlands is one of our favorite travel destinations in the Houston area!
What we love most about it:
- Floating on the gentle current and waves in this dynamic lazy river
- Beating the Texas heat with a relaxing afternoon on the lazy river
- Family fun on the Racing slides in the Resort Pool tower
Read our full resort review here: The Woodlands Resort
Looking to experience The Woodlands Resort without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton –2301 N Millbend Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
12. Schlitterbahn Resort – New Braunfels, Texas
Award: Most Authentic Lazy River
The OG Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas (between Austin and San Antonio for those in the back) has a similar approach to lazy rivers as the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston. There are 3 lazy rivers that each surround a different area of the water park resort and also connect together, creating a river transportation system. The lazy river used to end in the actual Comal River for a float but we’re told this no longer connects (boo). However, the Comal River does run right past the water park so it feels the most authentic! Bonus – you also have access to over 30 other water park attractions including slides and a wave pool.
What we love most about it:
- Full-tilt water park with over 30 slides and rides
- 3 Lazy Rivers at the waterpark
- Using a lazy river as a mode of transportation to navigate around Schlitterbahn
Read our full resort review here: The Woodlands Resort
Looking to experience The Woodlands Resort without the overnight rates? Check out this ResortPass deal!
📍Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels –400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130
13. Waco Surf – Waco, Texas
Award: Longest Lazy River in Texas The World.
Waco Surf is in, wait for it…. Waco, Texas. No joke, this is a 5,280 foot lazy river (your high school math is correct, that’s 1 mile long), making it the (alleged) longest lazy river in the world. It will run you $40-50 for the day to float and access the epic water slides, or upgrade to a “wet pass” and for a little more get access to the private beach club and lunch and drink options. It’s a great place to float the day away in Waco, Texas after a trip to the Magnolia Silos or before a Baylor Bears game.
What we love most about it:
- Setting world records for the longest lazy river in the world! (so Texas, right?!)
- A trip around will take you 45 (yes, Forty-five) minutes!
- This lazy river pairs perfectly with a morning spent at the Magnolia Silos
📍Waco Surf – 5347 Old Mexia Rd, Waco, TX 76705
Non-Lazy River Honorable Mentions
Texas resort pools and water parks so fun you won’t even miss the Lazy Rivers… gasp, I know!
1. La Cantera Resort and Spa (San Antonio)
2. Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa (Austin)
3. Lakeway Resort and Spa (Lake Travis, Austin, Texas)
4. Horseshoe Bay Resort (Lake LBJ, Central Texas)
5. San Luis Resort (Galveston Island, Texas)
6. Isla Grand Beach Resort (South Padre Island)
7. Cibolo Creek Ranch Resort (Marfa, Texas)
For more fun on the water check out our Best Lake Resorts and Best Beach Resorts in Texas!
So there you have it, hotels with lazy rivers, lazy river resorts, a Texas shaped lazy river, and even a straight-up water park. They’re all fun and they’re all lazy! In our humble opinion (and Texans are so good at being humble), Texas is home to some of the best lazy rivers in the country. Whether you’re looking for a family friendly float or an adventure-filled trip, there are obviously plenty of incredible spots to choose from. From Austin and San Antonio to Galveston and Houston to even Dallas, these lazy rivers offer relaxation, fun activities, and stunning scenery. So what are you waiting for? Grab your sunglasses and inflatable tube, and jump on in the water! Trust us, you won’t regret a day spent floating at one of these Top 13 BEST Lazy Rivers in Texas!
Thank you for reading! We really hope this article was helpful for you and your family in finding the perfect place for your next family friendly summer adventure. Don’t forget to check out the reviews from other travelers just like yourself at TripAdvisor.Com and compare the best rates for stays at the best hotels and resorts across the state of Texas.
Please note that this page contains affiliate links and any reservations made through such links will award our family a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. We are thankful for your support as this helps keep our family traveling to new resorts to continue providing you with reviews of the best resorts in Texas. Let’s work together to beat that Texas Heat! Remember, life is short but Summer is long.
From our family to yours, happy floating!
