Summer is just around the corner, and there's no better way to beat the heat than by visiting a water park. It just so happens that the USA is home to some of the best waterparks in the world, with an exciting range of attractions and experiences for visitors of all ages.
With high-speed water slides, powerful wave pools, lazy rivers, and even water play structures for young kids, the best water parks in the USA are the perfect family destination for a fun-filled day.
America boasts some of the best water parks on the planet. Ready to see what makes each of the best water parks in the USA so special? Well, then, it's time to grab your sunscreen, pack your swimsuit, sandals, and water shoes, and get on the road to see what watery adventures await the entire family!
The Best Water Parks in the USA
Ready to travel across the country to learn about some of the best water parks in the USA?
Legoland's Water Parks - Carlsbad, CA
First up is Legoland Water Park, located within Legoland California, in Carlsbad. What's to see and do? There are actually two water parks at Legoland California: The actual Legoland Water Park, and the Legends of Chima-inspired Chima Water Park. Not to worry: Both water parks give kids (and their parents) numerous opportunities to soak everything in!
What can you do at Legoland's water parks? Run through the water jets at Surfer's Cove's Wipeout Lagoon, get competitive on the Riptide Racers, or — if the pirate life’s for you — hop aboard the Soak-N-Sail. Meanwhile, over at Chima Water Park is the huge Lion Temple Wave Pool and more!
Cowabunga Bay Water Park - Draper, UT (or Las Vegas, NV)
Cowabunga Bay Water Park, 20 miles away from Salt Lake City, offers visitors a chance to experience a surfin' safari in beautiful surroundings. What Cowabunga Bay lacks in size, it more than makes up for in the experience provided: The water is clean, the atmosphere retro, and fun is easily found!
Another good thing about Cowabunga Bay is that if Vegas is more your thing than Utah, there's also a Cowabunga location in the Las Vegas area (Cowabunga Vegas)...a 23-acre water park with 20 different attractions! Which one will you choose to visit? It's up to you!
Noah's Ark WaterPark - Wisconsin Dells, WI
The Wisconsin Dells area is known as "the waterpark capital of the world," and you can experience for yourself why that is at Noah's Ark WaterPark. Noah's Ark WaterPark is one of the best water parks in the USA and is the biggest water park in Wisconsin Dells.
They have introduced a new waterslide just in time for the 2023 season: Chameleon, featuring dynamic sounds, vibrant lights, and undeniable thrills. Beyond that, there are dozens of other water attractions to keep the fun alive.
Silver Dollar City's White Water - Branson, MO
At the Silver Dollar City amusement park in Branson, Missouri, you can experience endless aquatic entertainment at the White Water park. Featuring 13 acres of water rides, slides, and waves and 2 million gallons of water, you can't help but get wet!
Glide on the surge of the 500,000-gallon Surf's Up Wave Pool, and then calm yourself down with a peaceful float along the Aloha (lazy) River.
Younger visitors will love Coconut Cove, while the adults will thrill-seek in one of the two 26-feet-per-second KaPau Plummet water slides — a 70-degree drop from a 40-foot tall tower. Whoa!
Splashin' Safari - Santa Claus, IN
When the weather outside isn't so frightful, head on over to Splashin' Safari, part of the Holiday World Theme Park complex in Santa Claus, IN. This water park has been ranked by both USA Today and TripAdvisor as one of the country's top water parks, and it shows.
Entrance to the African-themed Splashin' Safari is free for Holiday World ticket holders; when you're there you should check out the Wildebeest Water Coaster or go down ZOOMbabwe — a 102-foot enclosed water slide that is amongst the world's tallest!
Aquatica San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
Located next to SeaWorld San Antonio, Aquatica San Antonio is a bit of tropical paradise in South Texas. You'll find it hard to stay dry thanks to thrilling water slides, enticing pools, and inviting sandy beaches. When you aren't getting your feet (or everything else) wet, relax in one of Aquatica's private cabanas.
As for the little ones, there's the 3,000-sq-ft Kata's Kookaburra Cove. Oh, and if engaging with sea life is your thing, check out the stingray feeding experience!
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon - Orlando, FL
One of two water parks located at the Walt Disney World Resort (the other is Blizzard Beach), Typhoon Lagoon features a wave pool for which the park is named, along with many other attractions. Split up into several areas (Mount Mayday, Hideaway Bay, and the eponymous Typhoon Lagoon), there's plenty to keep you wet and busy.
Enjoy Mt. Mayday's Humunga Kowabunga slides, take a surf lesson at Typhoon Lagoon, or lounge at the Sandy White Beach next to Hideaway Bay's Crush'n'Gusher.
Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Darien Lake - Corfu, NY
Last but not least is Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Darien Lake, in upstate New York (a short drive from another fantastic watery attraction — Niagara Falls!).
Six Flags parks are known for their Hurricane Harbors, of which there are 14 scattered across the US. Each Hurricane Harbor is different, and the one at Six Flags Darien Lake's attractions range from the 70-foot-tall Brain Drain water slide to the Wahoo Wave pool, with 30-foot crests.
Looking for something a little less thrilling? Then enjoy yourself in the Flotation Station lazy river.
How to Prepare for the Best Water Parks in the USA
Visiting the best water parks in the USA is bound to be a good time, but you can have an even better time by preparing for the weather before you go.
Since you're going to be out in the sun all day, be sure to bring and use plenty of sunscreen — but not just any sunscreen will do. You should use waterproof sunscreen, and you may have to apply it several times over the course of your visit to a water park.
In addition, just because you're spending the whole day in water doesn't mean you don't need to drink any. Bring along a tumbler or water bottles filled with cool water, as it's going to be hot and you need to stay hydrated!
Visit the USA's Best Water Parks with Cruise America!
America is home to some of the most thrilling water parks in the world; there's never a shortage of wet and wild fun to be had. It's important to stay safe and hydrated at these water parks, but it's just as important to stay safe and comfortable while traveling to 'em. And one of the best ways to do that is in a Cruise America RV!
Whether you prefer water parks with high-speed water slides or relaxing on a tube in a lazy river, an RV provides a perfect home base for you and your family. The best water parks in the USA offer loads of fun for everyone, and so do the best RVs for rent or sale from Cruise America.
Planning a summer visit to one or several of the best water parks in the USA? Then check out Cruise America's RV selection today!
