Water slides and lazy rivers, splash pads and wave pools, indoor surfing and outdoor tanning: however you want to get soaked, waterparks deliver the best opportunities to dive into the deep end and then dry off in the sun. And with over a thousand waterparks in the USA, there's no shortage of options for aquatic family fun.
Click through this gallery to discover the best waterparks in the United States...
Combining the thrills of a theme park with the charm of a classic family holiday, Big Sky Waterpark (open mid-June to August) offers an abundance of wet and dry excitement, making it one of the coolest attractions in Montana. Brave the seven-storey Geronimo Speed Slide, battle with water balloons on the lawn and enjoy a variety of other attractions. With a range of admission prices, you can easily find the right deal, and the Twilight Pass (entry from 3pm) will save you a few extra dollars.
Wings and Waves is changing the way you experience indoor waterparks. This innovative Oregon attraction has a wave pool that screens films, while the Sonic Boom water slide offers a unique twist with its virtual reality experience, bringing a new dimension to waterpark fun. Riders wear a VR headset and are instantly transported into different realms as they slide down, making each ride an exciting adventure. Little aviators and adults alike will also love touring the on-site Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Check the park's schedule before you go, as opening hours vary.
Located inside the Wonderland Park, Morgan’s Inspiration Island is an ultra-accessible waterpark designed for visitors with diverse abilities and has been recognised on TIME’s World’s 100 Greatest Places list. It's adjacent to Morgan’s Wonderland, an equally accessible theme park for all ages. Splash out on a dual pass to both sites for the ultimate day out.
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Unlike other parks that have separate admission tickets, Pittsburgh’s Idlewild and SoakZone offers all the fun of a theme park and waterpark with a single ticket. Little ones can run amok on Captain Kidd’s Adventure Galley – a multi-level structure with slides, sprays and tipping buckets – while big kids will enjoy the twists and turns of Pipeline Plunge.
Bringing island vibes to the middle of Iowa, Lost Island is an oasis with 11 major water slides, including Molokini Crater, which shoots riders into a 60-foot (18m) funnel before they plunge into the pool below. The littlest swimmers might be more impressed by the pretty mermaids gliding around Mermaid Cove – and thanks to the adjoining theme park, there's plenty of opportunity for dry fun too.
Rides and slides are the main attractions at Idaho’s Boulder Beach, located within Silverwood Theme Park. Offering thrilling experiences for adrenaline junkies and relaxing soaks for young ones, Boulder Beach is perfect for family fun. Take a spin on raft slide Ricochet Rapids for a memorable adventure. You'll cascade down a 40-foot (12m) mountain, plunge into a 30-foot (9m) valley and finish with an exhilarating ride through an enclosed tube. Ticket options vary in price, with a significant discount available for arrivals after 4pm.
Taking the phrase 'wet and wild' literally, award-winning Zoombezi Bay is connected to the huge Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Featuring interactive attractions like Baboon Lagoon and thrilling slides such as Big Boa Falls and Python Plunge, it's fun for the entire family. Toddlers will love this place too – 2023 saw the arrival of Pelican Point, a small splash pool with slides and sprinklers ideal for little ones.
Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World in Florida is a tropical paradise offering the largest wave pool in North America, with swells that reach up to six feet (1.8m) tall. As of July 2024, it's temporarily closed, but the park features a plethora of other water slides and attractions, including Ketchakiddee Creek for younger children and thrill rides like Humunga Kowabunga for thrill-seekers.
Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells is a sprawling complex spread across 12 football fields’ worth of space. Divided into four indoor and four outdoor parks, each section offers unique experiences, such as the see-through roof at Wild WaterDome, as well as the Lunar Loop and Cosmic Drop Thrill Slides. At five storeys tall with a trap-door launch, they're not for the faint-hearted. There's also an adults-only pool with a swim-up cocktail bar, for anyone interested.
A 40,000-square-foot (3,716sqm) indoor waterpark themed around Oceania, Splasher's of the South Seas offers something for all ages. From the exhilarating Rarotonga Cannonbowl slide to the relaxing Malucca Sea adult hot tub, the park provides year-round entertainment and relaxation – perfect for families seeking both excitement and leisure. While admission rates tend to be on the higher side, hotel guests of the adjacent Canad Inn can take advantage of discounts.
The astounding views at River Ranch Water Park will convince you to stay at this Hilton resort. Located in Phoenix, your hardest choice will be whether to enjoy the mountain views from the lazy river or from a shady cabana. With cocktails and cuisine from the poolside Slim Pickens restaurant delivered right to your sun lounger, River Ranch Water Park offers the best seat in the hotel. Better yet, it’s open year-round and is one of the less frantic waterparks on this list – those wishing to let the kids splash about while kicking back in a cabana will enjoy it most.
Carolina Harbor at Carowinds offers a year-round waterpark experience with attractions like the Boogie Board Racer, the longest mat-racing slide in the region. Families can also explore the Aeronautica Landing area, featuring aviation-themed rides and dining options inspired by airport lounges. It may be over 50 years old, but Carolina Harbor continues to expand its offerings, ensuring a memorable visit for guests of all ages.
Lake Compounce knows a thing or two about delivering a memorable experience – it's been doing so since 1846. The oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, this waterpark is thrill-a-minute. Experience weightlessness with a journey through the Venus Vortex, rocket down a mountain on the Sawmill Plunge or sit back and relax in the Croc-O-Nile lazy river, while the tots play at Clipper Cove.
Only in a place called Santa Claus, Indiana, will you find both a theme park and a waterpark dedicated to your favourite holiday. Get festive and grab some lunch at Santa's Merry Marketplace before racing against your family and friends on Cheetah Chase, the world's first launched water coaster, and relaxing in the Bahari wave pool.
In Texas, there’s only one word for fun under the sun: Schlitterbahn. Essentially four waterparks in one, Schlitterbahn has miles of lazy rivers, the Boogie Bahn Surfing Ride and several water playgrounds for children of any age. While pricier than some other parks, Schlitterbahn serves up a lot of bang for its buck, and there are online discounts available.
With four pools, seven water slides and a variety of dining options, Avalanche Bay provides a diverse range of activities for visitors of all ages. Highlights include the Glacier Hot Springs hot tub for adults and the Haute Route Water Crossing obstacle course, which will have the whole family smiling. Stay at one of the on-site lodges to make a holiday of it, and to take advantage of great savings on park tickets.
While central Florida has no shortage of waterparks, Buccaneer Bay is the only one located in a state park. Found within Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, this exhilarating park is hugely popular in summer months and for good reason. A sandy beach, a lazy river and the Lil’ Mates Caribbean Cove wading pool are perfect for young children – only outdone by the site’s famous mermaid shows. Big kids will enjoy the fun-filled Cannonball and Pirate’s Revenge slides, which plunge into the natural Weeki Wachee Springs.
There’s a reason this is one of the most popular family attractions in Oahu. Teens will favour the Shaka’s 36-foot (11m), 70-degree drop, while little ones will love the 8,000 square-foot (743sqm) Lil Kahuna Beach. As for the adults, they'll be impressed by the wide range of attractions set against the backdrop of Oahu's stunning landscapes. Cultural experiences such as evening luaus further enhance the Hawaiian ambiance, making Wet’n’Wild Hawaii a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking fun in the sun.
An expansive resort featuring three waterparks, both indoor and outdoor, Wilderness at the Smokies is an ideal destination for year-round family vacations. Attractions like the Salamander Springs kids' area and the climate-controlled cabanas offer comfort and convenience amidst the thrilling rides and aquatic adventures. With a variety of lodging options ranging from cosy cabins to spacious suites, Wilderness at the Smokies ensures a memorable stay – particularly because entry to the waterparks is free for guests.
The Golden Nugget hotel and casino in Las Vegas offers a unique waterpark experience thanks to its signature water slide, The Tank, which sends riders whizzing through a 200,000-gallon (757,000-litre) shark tank. While the award-winning pool is suitable for all ages, it might be best to save the sharks for the older kids as the ride has a definite fear factor.
Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Virginia, offers a thrilling waterpark experience with attractions like Riptide Race, Virginia’s first mat-racing slide. Families can also enjoy Aquazoid Amped and other adrenaline-pumping rides, while the themed areas and interactive play zones are ideal for children, making the park a popular destination for anyone seeking waterpark fun and excitement in the Mid-Atlantic region.
A unique outdoor experience on a spring-fed lake, ACE Adventure Water Park is home to the infamous BLOB ride, a literal launch pad that sends people skywards via a giant inflatable. Also featuring an extensive inflatable obstacle course, a scenic location and many other attractions, you're sure to have an unforgettable day of exploration and excitement in the Mountain State.
New Jersey’s own slice of the Wild West comes in the form of Mountain Creek Waterpark's Colorado River – not the natural feature, but a thrilling whitewater-rafting experience that is rivalled only by the 18-foot (5.5m) freefall drop at the end of the Bombs Away water slide. Loved by locals and tourists alike, there’s a few rides and attractions suitable for younger children – a little lazy river being one of them – but big kids are definitely the focus here.
A stone's throw from the shores of the Atlantic, Jolly Roger Splash Mountain Water Park lets guests choose how to soak up the sun. The Aqualoop, a 360-degree looping water slide, and The Master Blaster, which includes an uphill ride, are crowd favourites, but the Rain Forest treehouse play area is the family-friendly attraction that’ll splash its way into your memories. Whatever your age, there’s a ride for you here, and with a range of flexible passes to choose from you’ll likely find yourself coming back for more.
Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park brings Hawaiian vibes to the Florida Panhandle. Surf the Honolulu Half Pipe without ever waiting for waves to break, then plunge into darkness with the freefall drop on Jumanji. With more than 40 different water play areas, rides, slides and pools, kids and adults will have plenty of options to consider riding next while floating in the relaxing lazy river.
Whether you’re cooling off in the summer or warming up in the winter, a dip at Star Plunge in Hot Springs State Park is never a bad idea. Open year-round, this Wyoming spot has both indoor and outdoor pools, toddler-friendly water slides, hot tubs and even a pool for babies. Don't miss the natural steam room that is Vapor Cave – cut into a mountain, this area is heated by natural mineral water.
California amps up the adrenaline at Raging Waters. The Los Angeles location features Aqua Rocket, the state’s first hydromagnetic water coaster; Neptune’s Fury, a 30-miles-per-hour (48km/h) raft ride into darkness; and the new Bombs Away ride, which drops riders through a trap-door floor and straight down at 26 feet (8m) per second.
Water World in Denver, Colorado, is a sprawling waterpark featuring a variety of themed rides and attractions (including ones themed around dinosaurs and ancient Egypt) set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. From adrenaline-pumping slides like the Mile High Flyer to family-friendly options like the Lazy River, the park offers something for everyone seeking summer waterpark excitement.
Named Best Outdoor Waterpark in Newsweek Magazine’s 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards, Noah's Ark is, unsurprisingly, packed with rides and slides. Raft down 700 feet (213m) of twists and turns on the Congo Bongo or take on the Scorpion’s Tail – the country’s first looping, near-vertical water slide which towers over the rest of the park at almost 10 storeys high.
The awe-inspiring Krakatau volcano at the centre of this immersive, themed waterpark sets the tone – and the rest of the park delivers. Part of Universal Orlando Resort, this tropical oasis transports visitors to the mythical Waturi Island, where thrill-seekers can plunge down the heart-pounding Ko'okiri Body Plunge, a 125-foot (38m) free-fall slide, or brave the twists and turns of the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. The virtual queuing through TapuTapu wristbands means no standing in line for hours either – just show up when it's your turn.
Now discover the planet's most thrilling out-of-this-world rides