A Day at The Canyon Aqua Park
Families gathered early on Friday, July 18, at The Canyon Aqua Park (CAP) to start their day and enjoy one of the most popular summer spots in the Texas Panhandle. This visit marked the beginning of a special week as the park prepared to celebrate its eighth anniversary on Saturday, July 19, with a variety of activities and events.
Among the first visitors was Amarillo resident Travis Lewallen, who brought his daughters, Serenity and Michaela, for a day of fun in the water. They had already been at the park for about 30 minutes when they arrived. “We try to come at least once a week,” said Lewallen. “It’s just three blocks away, so it’s easy.”
Serenity, a regular visitor, was excited to return. She loves swimming, the diving board, and the lazy river. “I think it’s a lot of time well spent,” she said. Michaela, on the other hand, enjoyed spending time with her sister. When asked who was the better swimmer, she quickly pointed to Serenity. “She’s right about that,” Lewallen laughed. “That one floats like a rocket.”
The anniversary celebration on Saturday included a noon luau, free souvenir tumblers, ticket giveaways, and prize drawings at the end of each session. Park Manager Stephanie Bass shared that they gave away a birthday party package for 2026 and a season pass for next year. “The turnout was great — it was a fun way to celebrate eight years of the CAP,” she said.
The birthday package includes a shaded pavilion, four pizzas, 10 drinks, 10 ice cream treats, and free admission for the birthday guest. The CAP features fast slides, diving boards, a kiddie splash zone, and a lazy river that draws the biggest crowds. “The lazy river is by far our most popular attraction. It fills up quickly,” Bass noted.
During peak season, the park averages more than 600 visitors per day. For the 2025 season, several improvements were introduced, including a new Snack Shack offering pre-packaged items like Dippin’ Dots and drinks to reduce wait times at the main concession stand.
Another addition this year was the expansion of toddler time, a Friday morning program that debuted last summer. After selling out in 2024, the park doubled its offerings this season. “It’s $4 for one adult and one child,” Bass explained. “We keep a one-to-one ratio for safety. If you have multiple kids, just bring another adult — Mom, Dad, Grandma, whoever.”
The CAP employs 17 lifeguards daily and enforces strict safety rules. Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests are allowed, and outside toys and inflatable floaties are prohibited. Life vests are available on site at no charge.
General admission tickets are valid for one three-hour session, with different pricing for various days:
- Monday through Thursday
- Session 1: Noon to 3 p.m. – $6
- Session 2: 4 to 7 p.m. – $6
- Friday and Saturday
- Session 1: Noon to 3 p.m. – $8
- Session 2: 4 to 7 p.m. – $8
- Sunday
- Session 1: 1 to 4 p.m. – $8
- Session 2: 5 to 8 p.m. – $8
Admission for children age 3 and younger is free, and senior citizens receive a $2 discount on general admission.
“This is a family-friendly facility,” Bass said. “We make sure there’s something for everyone, and we want people to feel safe while they’re having fun.”
For updates, hours, and event details, visit the City of Canyon’s website or follow the CAP on social media.
