Volente Beach Water Park in Austin

A few weeks ago, my company held a beach party at Volente Beach Water Park at Lake Travis.  The first thing I noticed on the drive in was the fact that Lake Travis is gorgeous.  This water park is right on the lake and consequently, despite slides and ice cream stands, is really quite picturesque.

After parking in the gravelly lot uphill from the park, my boyfriend and I made our way in.  We passed a Dippin' Dots stand at the entrance - I haven't seen those since I was 13! - and a the park's parakeet, along with changings cabanas, a "surf shop," and restrooms.  As you continue on, you pass shaded areas with tables and benches that are generally reserved for parties and the water slides.  The park is not too big, but it has a couple of nice rides.  If you are afraid of heights, however, you may have trouble with the water slides.  It looked like a lot of fun from where I was standing, which is to say, firmly on the ground.

There is also a large pool area for the children, and at one end, there is a volleyball net for those who want to keep an eye on their kids while having a little fun themselves.  The water park has a full events calendar, accessible from the website, that includes movie screenings and live music every weekend.  There is a bar on the beach for the adults who want to sip a margarita while sunning and taking in the scenery.  What more could you ask for, really?

They also have several nice packages for birthday parties and functions, as I learned through my company experience.  We had a barbecue lunch that was hosted and served by the park employees, and even a caricaturist.  All in all it was a good time, even for a childless couple like myself and my boyfriend.  If you have kids, it's a great place to go.  If you don't and you're looking for a place to relax, it is still a place to go.  The only time I wouldn't recommend it is if you are childless and looking for a real water park, because there is little for you to do here.  The website photos makes it seem larger than it is.  In reality, it is small, but quite good for families.  Children are easily impressed and this park reminded me of the rinky dink water parks of my childhood that felt like heaven.  Not only that, but the wait times and line sizes are miniscule.  According to the Austin Chronicle, the rides and slides at Volente Beach were made by the people at Schlitterbahn, an amazing water park that will nonetheless keep you waiting three hours for one ride. 

One last tip if you're planning a trip to Volente Beach Water Park: Keep an eye out for deals and coupons on Pepsi cans and in Austin Family magazine, the AT&T Yellow Pages, the Austin Relocation Guide, and various Volente Beach brochures.  Saving some extra cash on admission is never a bad thing!

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April D. Boland is a freelance writer and editor.  Originally from New York City, she now resides in Austin, Texas where she enjoys reading, writing, soaking up culture and taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors that she never had back home.  She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Della Donna, a webzine for women for which she heartily accepts submissions.  Her published work can be found at her website, AprilBoland.com, and she blogs about writing at These Words.