For Houstonians, spring not only brings inconstant weather but usually disguises as an initiation to summer with a humid breeze to finish out the season. Luckily, there's no better remedy to combat the dry Houston heat than to live it up at a waterpark – and just right outside the city, there are a few family-friendly spots to choose from. This year, Big Rivers Waterpark will reopen to the public on April 2. 

Located in New Caney, the park looks to have 2022 as its redemption year. According to Carl Foy, Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures' Marketing Director, the summer of 2020 was not a success due to statewide shutdowns. "As you could imagine, attendance and revenue were both way down," he told Houstonia. "2021 was better for both. But with the uncertainty of the pandemic, it was still not to full potential."

Big Rivers will open earlier than previous years due to the addition of the Big River Fairgrounds. The new fairgrounds, featuring 11 amusement park rides, will introduce its first in-door roller coaster, Rolling Thunder. While earlier seasons were deemed unsuccessful, newly added attractions and rides will hopefully jumpstart the park into a beloved Texas-based attraction. 

Due to a continuance of high temperatures throughout the year (because we do live in Texas), the water park was able to extend operations after summer for select weekends and holidays. Several of the fairgrounds' added attractions were ready for use during the annual Christmas at Big Rivers event in December of last year. In contrast, others continued construction through the winter break and will now be accessible for the reopening. 

"This new section will help add more to the mix in the park and will attract more attendance," Foy added. He noted that the park hopes the attendance of 2022 will equal the combined numbers from 2020 and 2021. 

The expansion will also bring in new activities and entertainment, operating on Friday nights with Park After Dark, and redesigning its holiday festivities. 

"We have tons of concerts planned," Foy stated. "We are still working out the details." The premiere concert will be the Big Bayou Cajun Festival taking place on March 26, showcasing a variety of Cajun bands, food, and more fun."

Some of the competing water parks in the Greater Houston area are still releasing their reopening dates as spring approaches. Pirates Bay will reopen May 7, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will not reopen until April, and Typhoon Texas has not yet announced a reopening date. 

Big Rivers Waterpark, 23101 State Highway 242 New Caney, Tx 77357. Tickets, $19.99, plus tax, when you purchase online.  More information here.