El Paso Water Parks Now Allow You to Bring in Food… For a Price

Ever since the city-owned water parks opened El Pasoans have taken issue with a rule that prohibited guests from bringing in their own food and drinks.

Famished swimmers had to satisfy their hunger with park concessions or return to their car to eat snacks they had packed. But now outside food and drink are allowed.

There are a couple of caveats, however, and one of them is that you have to pay for the privilege.

The ‘Cooler Pass’

It’s called the Cooler Pass and according to the El Paso Water Parks website, it costs $20 and “allows all park guests to bring in food and drinks to any of our 4 parks.”

The food and drinks have to be in a cooler, and the cooler “must be no larger than 48qt” and be able to fully close. The $20 price is per cooler, per day, and in addition to the entrance fee.

Cooler Passes are available for purchase at the front entrance of any of the water parks.

Not Everyone Is Loving It

The lifting of the no outside food rule hasn’t made everyone happy.

Many who have commented on the social media account of each individual water park were not pleased and disagree with having to pay to be allowed to bring in their own food.

While it isn't likely to change this swim season, you can always have lunch in the parking lot. Per the water park website, “guests may exit the park and re-enter the same park throughout the day.”

Park Hours

All four parks - Camp Cohen, Chapoteo, Lost Kingdom, and Oasis - are open daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the end of July, and then 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only from August 1 to Labor Day.