Paper towels....
If you are controlling the heat pad you can always turn down the heat if it gets too hot. My issue with rocks, is that's it's going to be a pain to clean. I mean a pain. I would not suggest a waterfall either. There have been threads where the ball has gotten stuck. They have lots of small spaces, and you would be surprised what a ball python could fit into.
Paper towels are awesome. They are quick to change, cheap, and they have different thicknesses.