Beat the heat at this indoor water park. It’s just a short drive from Fort Worth
If you don’t have a nearby pool or body of water to cool down, you may have to resort to other things to beat the Texas heat.
Luckily, there’s an indoor water park just 30 minutes away from Fort Worth that helps you cool down while avoiding a crippling burn.
An entry into Epic Water’s Rio Grand action river, the largest lazy river in North Texas, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Grand Prairie.The 80,000-square-foot Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, located at Epic Central in Grand Prairie, recently made USA TODAY’s 10BEST list for the best indoor water parks for 2025. It’s got everything — we are talking water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, a surf simulator, an arcade and a full bar for the adults.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R25ekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R45ekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframeVisitors pay one price for parking and all activities for the whole day. You can pack a lunch to picnic on the mega-lawn or even leave for lunch and come back. Epic Waters also offers many lunch options, including a nearly 2-foot-long loaded hot-dog.
The $30, 22 inch mega-dog at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Grand PrairieThe Star-Telegram team went to take an Inside Look for ourselves.
Here’s what we found out.
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is actually more of an indoor-outdoor concept.
Its roof is completely made of glass planes, but is built with UV protection so while the sun still shines in, it’s not doing damage to your skin. However, the roof also has the capability to open– think like AT&T Stadium’s roof. This concept allows Epic Waters to stay open year-round.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2dekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4dekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe“Just imagine in the winter time, it doesn’t snow a lot here, but when it does, you’re swimming and watching it snow outside — that’s pretty neat,” Epic Waters general manager Rob Lapinto said.
The water at Epic Waters stays 86 degrees year-round — cool enough for summer months, but still warm during a frigid winter.
Epic Water’s outdoor portion features a 10,000 square foot wave pool. Guests enjoy tranquility before a new set of currents flood in on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Grand Prairie.The water park also has fenced-in outdoor patios in both the front and back. The front patio holds tables and chairs with a view of Epic Central’s Illuvia water fountain show, as well as the giant Epic Central lawn (perfect for picnicking). The back features the 10,000-square-foot wave pool, which is also equipped with lawn chairs.
However, the real fun happens inside. When you walk in, you are immediately met with the 600-foot Rio Grand lazy river — the largest lazy river in North Texas. Epic Waters likes to call it the Action River, because the river wraps around the entirety of the indoor space and sends small, scaled waves throughout the river for an even more relaxing float.
An Epic Water’s visitor is learning how to surf on the Flow Rider at the indoor water park on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Grand Prairie.Epic Waters’ biggest attraction is the FlowRider. This surf simulator allows visitors to surf, body surf or boogie board without a beach. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to surf — Epic Central offers optional lessons and a trained lifeguard to guide you through it.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2lekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4lekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframeThere are three signature slides: The Locura, The Yellowjacket Drop and the Aquanaut. There are also three other slide attractions — the Texas Twist, E-Racer and Prairie Plunge.
Four Epic Waters visitors dash down the E-Racer water slide on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Grand Prairie.The Locura is seven stories tall with a 40-foot drop, for those who dare.
The Yellowjacket Drop is an innertube water slide that sends you through a winding slide out to a wall that you slide up, and drop right down for a “zero-gravity” experience.
The Aquanaut is also an innertube slide for two riders with 90-degree twists and turns.
The Texas Twist is the longest slide in the park, with twisty, enclosed turns for single riders.
The E-Racer is a series of slides for visitors to ride down on mats and race their neighboring sliders.
The Prairie Plunge has a 50-inch drop for single riders.
The wave pool sends calm waves every 10 minutes for swimmers to float and enjoy. The waves are not large enough to surf, but they are big enough to rock your floatie.
Children crowd the Rascals Roundup water park playground at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Grand Prairie.And for the kids, there is the Rascals Roundup, which is essentially a water playground with shallow water, water guns, mini slides and water buckets. Every inch of the water park is monitored by trained lifeguards and professionals who are audited by Ellis & Associates.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2sekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4sekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframeLastly, if the adults want to kick back and relax, Epic Waters also has Longboards, a full service bar.
For those 21-years and older, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark has a full service bar equipped with TVs that play all the major sports games.How much does it cost to go to Epic Waters?
During the summer, Lapinto suggests buying tickets ahead of time online to guarantee a spot.
Ticket pricing does vary, due to the season, holidays or if the park is holding a special event. But generally, tickets are between $40 and $50. A ticket to Epic Waters also grants you access for the 10-hour whole day. Once you have your wristband, you can come and go as you please.
Here’s the pricing:
Children under 3-years-old: free.
Weekdays are generally $44 plus tax for general admission (Subject to change; it’s best to check the website for your desired date).
Weekends and holidays are around $54 plus tax (Subject to change; it’s best to check the website for your desired date).
$300 cabanas for up to eight guests with a TV and private server.
A $200 annual pass that gets you free general admission for the whole year, plus 15 percent off all food and drink every visit and one free cabana rental on a weekday.
Grand Prairie residents with a Grand Prairie ID get a discount (about 10 percent off).
Use of the free parking lot right outside the park (during the summer, they also offer free shuttles for those who may have to park farther away).
Epic Waters is open year-round. During summer months, the park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The wave pool operates everyday (if weather permits) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are located at 2970 Epic Place in Grand Prairie.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R37ekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R57ekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframeAnd one last reminder from Lapinto: “The best attraction with our water park that not a lot of people talk about is that your kids are gonna sleep great that night.”
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