Round Rock's Rock 'N River Promises a Way to Beat the Heat

Before I get to the nitty-gritty details, I would like to thank my husband for finding this place. Beating the heat in Texas is certainly a chore. We were looking for a way to engage our toddler in more than just the baby pool swimming sense. This was the perfect way of achieving our mission.

The benefits of Rock 'N River clearly outweigh any negatives that I found. So let me start with what I like so much about this refreshing, family-oriented place.

For starters the drive is a bit of a hike for us. With the location off of 79 in Round Rock near the Dell Diamond in Old Settler's Park, the full day of splashing in their pools made it worth the while. We live in Del Valle not so far to the airport. And, considering that DH is laid off at the moment, this was a great way to relieve the stress, have fun and forget the troubles for several hours.

Lilian, our darling daughter, is three and the depth of each pool was perfect for her. Similarly, the water slides, tipping buckets and water blasters helped her beat the boredom of just sitting around a baby pool. And speaking of such, the baby pool, along with the other main pool, starts at zero entrance and features floor geysers that she played with for sometime. Something about the sensation of running water, I guess.

However, what makes this perfect for the tots and infants is that it is one foot maximum in depth and offers a fully-covered awning. The perfect place to sit with your little ones and soak in the cool water! Also featured are the "froggy slide" (as Lily calls it), a tot's "first" water slide with running water, and a spraying water pipe that releases about six arches of water - perfect for kids to become used to being sprayed in the face by water - something we have been trying to overcome with Lilian for some time.

The beauty about this place is that when Lilian is ready for a new activity, we just walk over to the main pool, again with a zero-beach entrance. Here, Lilian can splash in the tipping buckets, journey through the water tunnel, slide down the covered water slide, stand under the tipping frogs, or shoot the water cannon - just to name a few. Also, this pool offers a large circular area of about two-feet and a few inches with a bench along its wall. Mostly, this is where the adults chill out and talk. Occasionally you will see children in this area, but it seems to be a place where it is less splashing and more talking. Perfect if you just want to hang out and prevent meltdown in the sun.

And let's not forget about the lazy river! Is any aquatic center complete without one? Although it is not Lilian's favorite to visit, we usually do it about every other time we visit. She is not for splashing in the face - so once is certainly enough for her. An extension of the main pool, his is just like any other lazy river with splash cannons and rainbow spouts that douse its adventurers with water. It may be much shorter than many of the larger parks, but it is still great for lounging and meets its purpose.

For the adults, Rock 'N River features a two large water slides. One is completely covered, and another is open. Children must be 48'' to ride.

If you are worried about the safety of your child, this place certainly puts it at bay. Lifeguards are completely attentive and actively do what they are paid to do. They are polite and truly look out for the children. *However, parents, this does not mean that they are your personal lifeguard for the day! We all must watch our children around water!*

Although arm floaties and other floating devices are not permitted, Rock 'N River offers certified life jackets for children without cost. Leave your car keys, driving license or something that you can part with while you are there and your child is set!

Lastly, what makes Rock 'N River great is that it allows R'NR goers to bring in coolers of food and drink (no alcohol or glass). We have taken advantage of this many times over the last few weeks. As policy, the center has an employee checking contents at the door, which is fair enough. I would not want my child stepping on glass that someone neglected to place in a receptacle (in which there are plenty).

Other amenities that Rock 'N River features: a concession stand, shaved, flavored, shaved ice (pickle?! - must try this one at some point!), fifty-cent lockers, and covered picnic tables (reservations available - there's always a party going on there and it seems that Little Caesar's is the popular pizza choice).

As for the negatives, what I can say is that it can get crowded from what I hear and the distance we have to travel to get there. The park is 40,000+ square feet, but I have yet to see it crowded to the point where we were uncomfortable or want to leave. Also, there is a nominal fee of $4.50 for adults and $3.50 for children. Much cheaper than Schlitterbahn and Volente Beach, and less overwhelming for a toddler and more for her to do! I think Round Rock residents are charged this, and it is a dollar more for non-residents of the city.

I can say that we will continue to visit this place. We can cool off with my daughter while "hitting up the playground" at the same time. She loves it and on average she is on the go for hours. There is little to no stopping for her while we visit; she enjoys it this much. Lilian sleeps incredibly well on the days that we visit and she gets the exercise she needs.

Rock 'N River is open From late May until early September. Hours are 10 AM to 8 PM during peak season (M, Tu, Th, Sat) and 1 to 8 PM (F and Sun); closed on Wednesdays.

More information about Rock 'N River can be found at http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/pools.