Mueller Lake Park & Splash Pad
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
1.5-3 hours
Best Ages
Best for ages 1-10
About
Mueller Lake Park is a modern, family-centered park in Austin's Mueller development, built on the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport site. The park combines a free interactive splash pad, a well-designed playground, a man-made lake with walking trails, and large open green spaces into one of the best free family destinations in the city.
The splash pad is the main draw for families with young children. It features ground-level water jets, arching sprayers, and interactive fountains that kids run through and play in. The water play area is large enough for dozens of kids without feeling crowded, and it is zero-depth (no standing water), making it safe for toddlers.
Adjacent to the splash pad, the playground offers a modern play structure with multiple climbing elements, slides, bridges, and a separate toddler section. The equipment is well-maintained and designed for a range of ages.
The lake trail is a paved, stroller-friendly loop of approximately 1 mile around the man-made lake. It is flat, shaded in sections, and perfect for a family walk or bike ride. The large grassy areas surrounding the trail are used for picnics, kite flying, and open play. The park's location in the Mueller development means restaurants and shops are within walking distance.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Morning (before 11 AM) for a less crowded splash pad. Summer afternoons are packed. The splash pad operates seasonally (typically April-September). Spring and early fall mornings are ideal.
Wait Times
No waits. The splash pad and playground are open access. Parking can be tight on weekend mornings.
Nearby Food
Mueller development (5 min walk): Torchy's Tacos, Colleen's Kitchen, P. Terry's Burger Stand, HEB deli. Thinkery museum is directly across the street.
Why Kids Love It
Mueller Lake Park is the park that Austin parents wish existed in every neighborhood. The splash pad is a large, interactive water play area with jets, sprayers, and ground fountains that kids run through screaming with joy. Unlike pool splash pads, this one is completely free and open-access.
The adjacent playground is one of Austin's best, with a modern play structure, climbing features, slides, and a separate toddler area. The park wraps around a man-made lake with a 1-mile walking trail perfect for strollers and bikes. Families spread out on the large grassy lawns for picnics while kids shuttle between playground, splash pad, and lake trail.
Local families from the Mueller neighborhood treat this as their backyard. The scene on a Saturday morning is kids in swimsuits, parents in camp chairs, and dogs on leashes.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Bring swim diapers for babies and toddlers at the splash pad
- The splash pad runs seasonally (April through September typically) -- check before visiting in shoulder months
- Claim a shady spot on the grass near the splash pad early -- shade trees are limited directly around the water area
- Combine with Thinkery children's museum directly across the street for a full-day outing
- Mueller development has Torchy's Tacos, Colleen's Kitchen, and P. Terry's within walking distance for lunch
What to Bring
- swimsuit and towel
- sunscreen
- pop-up shade tent
- picnic blanket
- change of clothes
- water bottles
- snacks
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$0 (completely free -- splash pad, playground, trails, and parking all free)
Tips to Save
- Already free.
- Bring your own food and drinks.
- The nearest restaurants are a short walk in the Mueller development.
- Bring a pop-up tent for shade near the splash pad.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Monday
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Sunday
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Thursday
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
