Choosing the best water park in Las Vegas is hard, especially considering there are so many extravagant pools and water fixtures all around the Vegas Strip and Off the Strip.
Also, it can be hard to know what truly counts as a water park with many pools adding a few fixtures and loosely using the name ‘water park.’
However, some Las Vegas water parks are famous and bring you the best offerings any world-class water park could ever hope to offer. Such a place is Cowabunga Bay Water Park.
If someone asks you what the name of the water park in Las Vegas is, then there is a good chance they are talking about Cowabunga, or at least its closest ‘competitor’, Cowabunga Canyon.
Read on to learn of the best water parks in Las Vegas that feature everything from thrilling water slides to lazy rivers and wave pools. Grab your swimsuit and start planning the aquatic fun for your next Vegas trip!
The Best 2 Water Parks in Las Vegas
There are so many extravagant water features and exquisite pools in Las Vegas, which makes the search for the best water park a bit daunting. The confusion is taken a step further when you realize many water parks aren’t actually water parks but rather marketed as such.
So, this begs the question, Does Las Vegas have any true water parks?
Consider a true water park as an amusement park or recreational facility that features various water-based attractions such as water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, water playgrounds, and other aquatic activities.
Generally speaking, a great Las Vegas water park should have a significant number of water-based attractions or activities that are designed to provide entertainment and fun for visitors of all ages.
The top water parks should also include amenities such as changing rooms, lockers, food and beverage options, and seating areas for visitors to relax and enjoy their time at the park.
Hopefully, the above features will help differentiate the facilities that use the term “water park” loosely. It is always a good idea to check the park’s website or other promotional materials to ensure it offers the attractions and amenities you’re looking for before visiting.
With that said, let’s dive into the best two water parks you can visit in Las Vegas today:
1. Cowabunga Bay Water Park
- Address: 900 Galleria Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 and
- Phone: 725 267 2262
- Business Hours: Depends on opening days, seasons, weather, & events
- Ticket Prices: from $69.99
- Major Attractions: thrilling water slides, lazy river, live entertainment, free tubes
Cowabunga Bay Water Park, also known as Cowabunga Bay, is a popular attraction in Las Vegas, known for its thrilling water slides, lazy river, wave pool, and other aquatic attractions. Voted Beat Waterpark in Las Vegas for several years in a row, the Cowabunga has become a household name in the region.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just looking for a fun way to cool off in the heat of the desert, Cowabunga Bay has something for everyone.
The water park has three locations, two of which are located in Summerlin and Henderson near Las Vegas.
Henderson is technically not part of Las Vegas, but it still belongs to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, stretching across the entire area of the Las Vegas Valley. It is also easily accessible from the Strip.
Cowabunga Bay in Henderson is situated just about 12 miles southeast of the main Las Vegas center and about a 20-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip.
The park is open seasonally from March through September; hours of operation vary by day and can be found on the park’s website.
Cowabunga Bay is first of all known for its 25 water slides and kids’ attractions, 16 of which are slides with various heights, depths, and fun decorations.
- A must-try that is very popular is the raft ride ‘Wild Surf’, which includes a slide with rafts that carry four people and then drop down a 60-foot drop into the water wave.
- There is also the fun 300-foot-long water slide featuring a huge bowl where you and your friends sit and then spin around as you drop down into the pool through the slide.
- The seven-story Zuma Zooma body slide is another must-try in the park. It is a high-speed journey slide that takes you down an enclosed flume at 40 mph, making it Nevada’s fastest water slide.
- Head into the Point Panic, a complete darkness tube that is equipped with special lighting to get your freak on. Proceed to the Good Vibrations tube slide that takes you on a 600-foot-long slide with the help of rebound chambers.
- Marvel at one of the largest pools in Nevada, the Surf-A-Rama Wave Pool, covering over 35,000 square feet. The wave pool is a popular spot for families and thrill-seekers alike. Waves can reach up to four feet high, creating a fun and exciting experience for all.
For a more relaxing experience, the park’s lazy river is the perfect place to float and unwind. The river is over 1,000 feet long and winds through lush tropical landscaping. Designed specifically for young children, Kiddie Cove features smaller slides, splash pads, and other age-appropriate attractions.
Dining options at the park include a full-service restaurant, snack stands, and a bar. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food and drinks into the park, with the exception of glass containers and alcohol. For those who want to relax in style, Cowabunga Bay offers private cabanas with amenities such as a TV, refrigerator, and comfortable seating.
2. Cowabunga Canyon
- Address: 7055 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89148
- Phone: 725 267 2277
- Business Hours: Depends on opening days, seasons, weather, & events
- Ticket Prices: From $69.99
- Major Attractions: thrilling water slides, lazy river, live entertainment, free tubes
This popular water park is another favorite among locals and tourists alike, also offering a wide variety of thrilling rides, slides, and attractions. It is a similar experience to the Cowubanga Bay, and you will be forgiven for mistaking one for the other.
Cowabunga Canyon used to be Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas before it got rebranded in 2022 when Pyek Group, owners of Cowabunga Bay, bought it. They both share seasonal passes now and feature more than 24 different attractions.
Pricing at Cowabunga Canyon is similar to that of Cowabunga Bay, and the attractions are also similar to some extent. Tickets come in seasonal passes for ages three and up ($99.99) and seasonal passes for seniors ($69.99), ages 65 and up.
The passes give you unlimited entry to Cowabunga Canyon, as well as Cowabunga Bay, where you can enjoy all the endless slides, entertainment, and tube rides all summer. For an extra $34.99, you can get their signature All You Can Drink Souvenir Cup, which can be refilled with endless fountains of drinks all day long.
Feel free to bring your own food to any of the two water parks, provided it is in a Ziplock bag. Smaller coolers are also allowed to bring in factory-sealed water only.
Cowabunga Canyon also has a variety of food and drink options available throughout the park, including fast food favorites like burgers, fries, and pizza, as well as healthier options like salads and wraps. The park also has a variety of snack bars and drink stands located throughout the park, serving up everything from ice cream to smoothies to refreshing cocktails for the adults.
On top of the attractions, Cowabunga Canyon brings you DJ performances and surprise events from popular artists/performers.
Cowabunga Canyon’s main attractions not only include a 17,000-square-foot wave pool but also:
- The Tornado – A giant funnel slide that sends guests swirling down a massive water slide and into a massive whirlpool simulating the feeling of weightlessness and getting stuck in a storm, all at the same time.
- The Constrictor – A twisting, turning water slide that winds its way through a series of tight loops and turns, speeding the guests at 18 mph.
- Royal Flush Extreme – A steep 360-foot long, six-lane, high-speed slide that sends guests flying through the air and splashing down into the pool below.
- Hoover Half Pipe – A half-pipe style slide that sends guests racing up and down the sides of a giant water wall.
- Colorado Cooler Lazy River – A relaxing 1,000-foot-long, slow-moving river ride that winds its way around the water park.
This park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for fun, excitement, and relief from the scorching Las Vegas heat. With a wide variety of rides, attractions, and amenities, there’s something for everyone at this popular water park.
Water Slides & Other Water Features in Las Vegas Hotels
Las Vegas has some of the world’s best pools featuring great waterfalls, lazy rivers, gorgeous greenery, tropical ambiance, and even 14 million-pixel screens. With their many features, only a few Las Vegas hotels have aquatic facilities that can make any water park fanatic happy:
Mandalay Bay Beach
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Las Vegas brings you Mandalay Bay Beach, an artificial beach made up of 11 acres of 2,7000 tons of sand, which is linked to a lazy river, a wave pool, and towering waterfalls. Take a dip in the 1.6-million-gallon wave pool or swim in the ¼ mile-long lazy river.
Unlike water parks, outside food is prohibited in the pool area, and neither are beverages of any kind unless they are purchased at the pool shopping & dining facilities.
Tank Pool at Golden Nugget
You have probably heard of the 200,000-gallon Shark Tank in the Golden Nugget Casino. However, you may not have known that it is also comprised of a three-story waterslide that takes you down the full length of the huge tank.
You get to watch all the sharks and sea animals swim in the pool as you slide to the bottom of the slide. Mermaid shows that happen every night make the thrill even more exciting for kids; you will have them thanking you for days after this experience.
For the adults and more adventurous types, the pool also offers a shark dive opportunity where you get to swim with the sharks inside the Shark Tank.
Splash Zone at Circus Circus
The Splash Zone offers a variety of fun aquatic activities for all ages in its one-acre space at Circus Circus Las Vegas.
The 50-ft long slide tower is the main show, made of three slides including the Splash Pad, a large water play area with interactive water features and fountains that are perfect for younger children to cool off in.
The pool and splash pad add some playfulness to the area with attractive colorful backgrounds and kids-themed designs. Let the young ones spill buckets in the splash pad and also mess around with water cannons & balloons as you take in the Vegas sunshine.
Guests can also relax in the pool area, which features lounge chairs, umbrellas for shade, and a poolside cafe serving tasty snacks and refreshing beverages. For a more private experience, cabanas are available for rent and come with personalized service and additional amenities like TVs and refrigerators.
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Conclusion
While it may be difficult to choose the best water park in Las Vegas, there are some exceptional water parks that offer world-class attractions and amenities. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or looking for a relaxing experience, Las Vegas has a water park for everyone.
The Cowabunga Bay Water Park stands out as one of the best, featuring thrilling water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and other aquatic attractions that cater to visitors of all ages.