The short version: Waco Surf is open through the fall and winter. The Surf Lagoon runs every day of the year, lodging is open, and fishing, trails, golf, horseback riding, pickleball, and massage all continue. The water park (slides, lazy river, splash pool) is seasonal and is closed for 2026, returning in 2027. Check wacosurf.com for current daily hours before you visit.
Every fall the question comes in some version of the same wording: “Is Waco Surf still open?” Here is what the off-season actually looks like, and how to plan a trip around it.
What’s closed
The water park, which includes the Wedge waterslides, the lazy river, the kids’ slides, and the splash pool, typically operates from early May to mid-September. It is closed for the 2026 season. Lodging guests normally receive 50 percent off water park passes bought on site, so that perk is paused until the park reopens in 2027. If you are planning around the slides and lazy river, see Visiting Waco Surf With Kids and aim for summer 2027.
If your group is split between surfers and non-surfers, that changes the planning math. The good news is that the non-surf side of the property is more developed than it was even a couple of years ago.
What’s open
Surf
Public Learn to Surf, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced sessions run on the hour, and private sessions let a group rent the entire lagoon. Water temperatures drop through the fall, so pack a wetsuit. Our fall and winter water temperature guide has month-by-month specifics.
Lodging
The Waco Surf Hotel, the cabins, the Lake House, the Road House, and the RV sites all operate year-round. Cabins 6 and 7, the Lake House, and the Road House have full kitchens, which matters more in the off-season when you may want to cook rather than eat out every meal. All lodging guests get complimentary Beach Passes and can book surf sessions before they open to the public.
Fishing
The lakes on the property are stocked year-round with bass, catfish, and crappie. Poles are available to rent and bait is sold at the front desk, or bring your own gear. Catch and release or keep your fish. Wavepool Mag noted in its coverage of the 2026 season that the fishing lakes are separate from the Surf Lagoon, so it is a real second activity rather than a side note.
Trails
Rental bikes and side-by-side UTV trail access are available across the property’s roughly 500 acres. Cooler weather makes this a better activity in November than it is in July.
Golf and horseback riding
Both are arranged through the resort’s concierge. Tee times are booked at nearby courses, and guided horseback rides run at Brazos Bluffs Ranch. Neither is on property, so build the drive into your day.
Pickleball, massage, and dining
Pickleball courts and professional massage treatments were added for the 2026 season; confirm availability when you book. Food and beverage outlets, including the Surfside Shack, run on seasonal hours, so check current hours before you count on a specific spot for dinner.
Lemur Lagoon
Yes, still here. Leashed dogs are allowed near Lemur Lagoon, which is the one place on property where that is true.
Off-season planning notes
- Book surf first, then lodging. Public sessions typically release four to six weeks before each month and book out roughly two months in advance. A Stay & Surf package lets you reserve sessions earlier. Email stayandsurf@wacosurf.com for help pairing dates, and see Planning an Overnight Surf Trip for a sample itinerary.
- Know the alcohol rules. Waco Surf is in a dry county. On the surf and beach side, drinks are sold at the Dive Bar, Surf Cafe, and Saloon after you swipe your ID to join a free private club. BYOB is not allowed on the surf side, and with the water park closed, the BYOB area is off the table for the season.
- Weather. Operations run rain or shine, but lightning within 10 miles clears the water. If a surf delay runs past about 30 minutes, the session is canceled and you receive a Surf Resort Credit valid for 12 months. Details are in the cancellation policy.
- Dogs. One dog per cabin with a pet fee. No dogs in the hotel, the surf houses, or any body of water.
- Nightly resort fee. A $20 per night resort fee is included in the listed lodging rate and covers parking, WiFi, in-room amenities, and beach access.
Why the off-season is worth it
The surf press has been clear about what the lagoon is: Texas Standard called Waco “the surfing capital of Texas,” and the Texas Monthly feature found that most surf guests travel in from out of state. Those visitors are not timing their trips around the water park. They are timing them around open surf sessions and a wave that runs the same way in January as it does in July.
If your group needs the slides and the lazy river, plan for May through September 2027. If your group needs waves, the off-season is wide open.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waco Surf open in the winter?
Yes. The Surf Lagoon, lodging, fishing, trails, and most activities run year-round. Only the water park is seasonal.
When does the Waco Surf water park reopen?
The water park is closed for the 2026 season and is scheduled to return in 2027. It typically operates from early May to mid-September.
Can non-surfers do anything at Waco Surf in the off-season?
Yes: fishing in stocked lakes, bike and UTV trails, pickleball, massage, concierge-arranged golf and horseback riding, and the beach with a Beach Pass, which is complimentary for lodging guests.
Is the lodging discount on water park passes available this fall?
Not while the water park is closed. The 50 percent on-site discount for lodging guests resumes when the park reopens in 2027.