The top 20 water parks in the US

Typhoon Lagoon can be found at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista. It is one of two water parks operating at the resort and was the second to open after Disney’s River Country. This closed in 2001.

The water park in Florida opened in 1989. It is inspired by a tropical paradise, with ships, fishing tackle and surfboards. Typhoon Lagoon’s sister water park, Blizzard Beach, first opened in 1995.

Typhoon Lagoon’s attractions include waterslides such as ‘Crush ‘n’ Gusher’, ‘Bay Slides’, and ‘Storm Slides’. Guests can also enjoy a lazy river called ‘Castaway Creek’, as well as family-friendly water rides, and the largest wave pool in North America.

In January 2022, Typhoon Lagoon welcomed guests for the first time in nearly two years after closing in response to Covid-19. New offerings include a shipwreck-inspired F&B outlet.

In April 2025, Walt Disney World announced that it would open both of its water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, for the season, for the first time since 2019. Post-pandemic, Disney World was alternating each water park’s opening, with just one available to guests at a time.

2023 attendance – 1,898,000

Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay opened in 2017. It replaced Wet ‘n Wild on International Drive. Volcano Bay is located next to Universal’s Cabana Beach Bay Resort. It covers 25 acres and includes more than 30 experiences and attractions. These range from body slides and raft rides to a multi-directional wave pool and hydro-magnetic waterslide coaster.

“Universal’s Volcano Bay sets a new standard on every level,” said Tom Williams, CEO and chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts. “It provides our guests with spectacular entertainment experiences and innovative technology that helps them enjoy more of what matters most – connecting with each other and having an amazing time together.”

In February 2025, Volcano Bay announced its first-ever nighttime event, combining aquatic attractions, live entertainment and more. During Universal Volcano Bay Nights, guests can enjoy live performances, DreamWorks character interactions and complimentary island treats.

Also, there will be lower wait times and exclusive access to rides like Krakatau Aqua Coaster and Ko’okiri Body Plunge. At Waturi Beach, there will be a live DJ, while nostalgic games such as hula hoop and limbo will be on offer under the park’s 200-foot Krakatau volcano.

2023 attendance – 1,800,000

United Parks & Resorts’ Aquatica Orlando opened in 2008. 

In 2021, Aquatica launched Florida’s first duelling water slide, Riptide Race, from ProSlide. Riptide Race riders slide side by side and face-to-face in racing lanes. 

In 2024, it opened Tassie’s Underwater Twist, described as Florida’s most immersive waterslide. Manufactured by WhiteWater, Tassie’s Underwater Twist takes riders through a recreation of Australia’s Shark Bay seagrass meadow.

The 129-foot-long slide includes a super-bowl element for riders on a two-person inner tube. Once inside the bowl, they are surrounded by seagrass meadows and schools of fish. Additionally, Tassie’s Underwater Twist features synchronised video projections and a musical score.

In 2019, Aquatica became a Certified Autism Center.

2023 attendance – 1,437,000

Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels near San Antonio in Texas provides a host of river rides, pools and waterslides. Schlitterbahn’s flagship waterpark has 51 attractions on more than 70 acres. Its four sections are each as large as most regional water parks. Every area includes a swim-up bar, lazy river and children’s area. Open year-round, the resort is home to hotel rooms, suites, cabins and vacation homes.

The park, alongside Schlitterbahn Galveston, was acquired by Cedar Fair in 2019.

In April 2024, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels opened the new Schatze’s Storybrook Park, a children’s area with the world’s first water coaster for kids, Bow Wow Blaster. This is a small version of the Master Blaster by WhiteWater.

The new addition includes three mini lands with six new slides, a giant 1,200-gallon tipping bucket, and more than 70 interactive water features. Also, the new area features extra seating with shade structures, as well as the new Schatze’s Shoppe.

2023 attendance – 933,000

Owned by United Parks & Resorts, Water Country USA can be found in Williamsburg, Virginia. Billed as Virginia’s largest family water park, Water Country USA is home to more than 40 state-of-the-art water rides and attractions. 

The US water park, which opened in June 1984, also features the Vanish Point drop slide, Aquazoid raft ride and Hubba Hubba Highway lazy river. ProSlide’s Riptide Race, Virginia’s first duelling pipeline waterslide, opened in summer 2023. Riders get the chance to race each other through 250 feet of slide and high-speed tunnels. Riptide Race opened at Aquatica Orlando, also owned by SeaWorld, in 2021.

2023 attendance – 736,000

Aquatica San Antonio, part of the United Parks & Resorts family, is a US water park with animal experiences. Its attractions include thrilling waterslides, a lazy river, lagoons, a huge wave pool and more than 42,000 square feet of beaches. Stingray Falls, the park’s signature attraction, plunges riders into an underwater grotto of hundreds of stingrays and tropical fish.

Opened in May 2012, Aquatica San Antonio also offers Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, the tallest drop slide in Texas. Additional waterslides include Tonga Twister, Taumata Racer, Walhalla Wave, HooRoo Run, Kiwi Curl, Riptide Race and Tassie’s Twisters.

In 2024, United Parks & Resorts announced plans to expand SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas with a new $6 million themed area, spanning nearly 150,000 square feet.

See also: 60 years of innovation at SeaWorld

2023 attendance – 650,000

Another aquatic park in United Parks & Resorts’ portfolio is Adventure Island. Located across the street from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the 30-acre attraction opened in June 1980. Highlights include the Rapids Racer, the world’s first duelling saucer waterslide, and Wahoo Remix, the park’s first slide to offer synchronised light and sound elements. 

Further waterslides found at Adventure Island are Solar Vortex, Colossal Curl, Riptide, Caribbean Corkscrew and Water Moccasin. The park also has a 17,000-square-foot wave pool, a children’s water playground, the Rambling Bayou lazy river, and a 70-foot drop slide. 

In 2023, Adventure Island opened a new interactive splash and play zone called ‘Shaka-Laka Shores’. This features 25 play elements, and a central play structure for children. In addition, it includes interactive aquatic attractions within a zero-depth area.

2023 attendance – 640,000

Knott’s Soak City is a water park adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm in California, owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. It is home to a variety of water slides, attractions, and pools, catering to different age groups and thrill levels.

It features 23 speed, tube and body slides including Shore Break featuring six different waterslide experiences and a thrilling family raft ride called The Wedge. The park is also home to the 750,000-gallon Tidal Wave Bay wavepool, a one‑third‑mile Sunset River, and and the three‑story Beach House, featuring 200 water guns, nozzles, sprayers and other interactive surprises.

2023 attendance – 580,000

Schlitterbahn Galveston is a 26-acre water park with more than 33 unique attractions. Found along the Texas coast on Galveston Island, it opened in 2006. It houses the award-winning Massiv water coaster, from WhiteWater and the award-winning Transportainment river system.

In 2019, the park opened the tallest and longest pair of head-first mat racers, Infinity Racers. It is also home to the original inland surfing ride, Boogie Bahn. As well as its Master Blaster, WhiteWater supplied a Multi-Lane Mat Racer, AquaPlay and AquaSplash, and a FlowBarrel.

Schlitterbahn Galveston has three sections – Blastenhoff, Surfenburg, and Wasserfest. All three provide state-of-the-art aquatic attractions, F&B and retail outlets. As well as Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, the park was acquired by Cedar Fair in 2019. 

2023 attendance – 539,000

Hurricane Harbor in Arlington is owned by Six Flags. This US water park is home to more than 40 rides, slides, attractions and pools across 47 acres. Hurricane Harbor also boasts three million gallons of water.

Highlights for children include Splashwater Beach and Hook’s Lagoon, while thrillseekers can enjoy rides such as Dive Bomber, Geronimo, Tsunami Surge and Typhoon Twister.

In 2024, Six Flags announced it was investing in its Hurricane Harbor water parks in LA and Arlington as part of a lineup of new experiences for its sites in 2025. Hurricane Harbor in Arlington will undergo the largest expansion in its history with the addition of a coastal-themed area.

This is anchored by a 58,000-square-foot, multi-level play structure for kids with 110 interactive water features, seven waterslides and a 1,000-gallon tipping water bucket. Among the waterslides are a mini tornado slide and a mini wave slide.

Also included in the expansion is a new self-play splash pad with 24 water features, as well as new family cabanas, oversized umbrellas, lounge furniture, refurbished restrooms, and a restaurant renovation.

2023 attendance – 476,000

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Jackson, New Jersey offers a million-gallon wave pool, one of the world’s longest lazy rivers, more than 23 waterslides, and a huge water playground.

In 2019, the park opened Calypso Springs, its largest expansion to date. Calypso Springs includes a 100,000-gallon activity pool featuring an obelisk-style fountain with an erupting geyser. 

In 2023, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor New Jersey introduced Splash Island, a new area for young guests offering a treehouse play structure, 14 new slides, curtain waterfalls and a huge water bucket.

2023 attendance – 450,000

The largest theme park in Arizona, Hurricane Harbor Phoenix has lazy rivers, a wave pool, family-friendly play areas and thrilling waterslides.

In 2021, the park debuted a new 42,000-square-foot expansion called Paradise Island. This includes a 12,000-square-foot activity pool, a new restaurant, and a water volleyball area and water basketball court. Owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Hurricane Harbor Phoenix first opened in July 2009.

2023 attendance – 450,000

Covering 25 acres, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles offers attractions catering to thrill-seekers and families alike. Notable rides include the Bonzai Pipelines and the Tornado. The park also features the River Cruise lazy river and the Forgotten Sea Wave Pool.

 

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Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles is undergoing a major transformation for its 30th anniversary in 2025. This includes expanded shaded areas, seating, cabanas and more amenities. The park will be upgraded with colourful slide and structure refurbishments, added landscaping, and improved F&B options.

“Our capital plans for the year ahead reaffirm our commitment to providing unparalleled thrills, immersive entertainment and unforgettable memories to guests of all ages,” said Six Flags president and CEO Richard Zimmerman.

“Whether you’re a diehard fan of record-breaking coasters and waterslides, a food lover on the prowl for unique and tasty treats, or a lifelong devotee of over-the-top festivals and live entertainment, you’ll find something to enjoy at our parks in 2025.”

2023 attendance – 440,000

Zoombezi Bay is a US water park owned by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio. It features a multi-level play structure, state-of-the-art waterslides, a wave pool, an action river and lazy river, private cabanas, and a children’s play pool. It includes attractions from both WhiteWater and ProSlide.

Python Plunge is Ohio’s only water coaster, and Big Boa Falls is one of only six slides of its kind in the US. Opened in 1946, Zoombezi Bay is spread across more than 22 acres.

2023 attendance – 411,000

On the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point Shores is located next to the Cedar Point amusement park. Its attractions cater to all ages, including six-story capsule drop slide Point Plummet, the family-friendly Lemmy’s Lagoon, the Cedar Creek lazy river or the Breakwater Bay wave pool.

 

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In 2025, Cedar Point Shores is set to introduce two new tube slides. These will feature multi-coloured, twisted layouts, with one incorporating translucent fibreglass sections that create dynamic lighting effects.

2023 attendance – 400,000

Dollywood’s Splash Country is a 35-acre aquatic attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Adjacent to the Dollywood theme park, this US water park features slides, pools and splash zones.

Attractions include the Mountain Waves wave pool, Little Creek Falls play area, and Downbound Float Trip lazy river. Waterslides include Fire Tower Falls, Mountain Scream, Mountain Twist, Slick Rock Racer and Wild River Falls. It features 23 attractions from ProSlide Technology Inc., an industry leader in water ride manufacturing and design.

Dollywood is a 160-acre theme park jointly owned by Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment. 

2023 attendance – 379,000

Another Six Flags park is White Water in Marietta, Georgia. The aquatic attraction has more than 24 state-of-the-art waterslides, a relaxing lazy river, and various child-friendly play areas.

Originally opened as White Water Atlanta in May 1984, the 69-acre water park became part of the Six Flags family in 1999. Six Flags White Water is the second gate to Six Flags Over Georgia, which boasts more than 40 rides and attractions.

2023 attendance – 373,000

Camelbeach is a water park in the Poconos in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. It boasts 37 rides and slides, an interactive area for toddlers, a wave pool, an adventure river and lazy river, and a FlowRider from WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer,

First opened in 1998, the state’s largest outdoor water park is part of the 560-acre Camelback Resort. The destination also offers skiing and snowboarding, adventure attractions, and the Aquatopia indoor water park.

2023 attendance – 366,000

Discovery Cove is owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. Opened in 2000, it limits attendance to around 1,600 guests per day to ensure a more intimate experience.

Attractions at Discovery Cove include Dolphin Lagoon, The Grand Reef snorkelling area, and a Freshwater Oasis with otters and marmosets in a rainforest environment. Ther eis also a free-flight aviary housing over 250 tropical birds, including parrots and toucans, as well as a tropical river that allows guests to float past beaches, waterfalls, and rainforest landscapes.

In 2024, United Parks & Resorts revealed plans for a new hotel at Discovery Cove.

2023 attendance – 363,000

Covering an area of 25 acres in Katy, Typhoon Texas is a family-friendly US water park with 33 waterslides, a lazy river and wave pool, and live entertainment. Slides include the Duelin’ Daltons, the Snake Pit and Lone Star Racers. It is home to 13 products from WhiteWater.

Typhoon Texas’ water parks in Pflugerville and Katy are owned and operated by Pyek Group. The company also has two parks in Nevada – Cowabunga Canyon in Spring Valley and Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas in Henderson.

2023 attendance – 357,000