Thinking about hitting a water park this weekend? Whether going to an indoor one where temps are always in the 80s or an outdoor one by the beach in the summer, there is no shortage of water parks in NJ where the whole family can have a ball getting wet. And it works for all ages—with toddler play areas, rolling wave pools, lazy rivers, and water slides big and small, there’s something for everyone, especially water park resorts where you can escape for a quick getaway. Read on for the best indoor and outdoor water parks around NJ to take your family. And don’t forget to check out our guide for things to do in New Jersey, too. (featured photo credit: DreamWorks Waterpark at American Dream)
Here are the best water parks in NJ and surrounding areas
Outdoor water parks for summer fun
(Note: Unless otherwise indicated, most outdoor parks open Memorial Day weekend.)
You know you are at one of the water parks in NJ when the park is on the boardwalk. Runaway Rapids is right on the Keansburg Amusement Park. Photo Credit: @janekikoka
Diggerland – The Water Main
Soak and swim in the 2-acre Water Main at Diggerland USA. Kids will love playing on the construction-themed splash pads, shooting hoops at the in-pool basketball area, going on water slides, doing a swim vortex, and so much more. Experience Rip Rap Run, where you can splash through different obstacles, the splash playground Jackhammer Bay, or take an exciting ride down The Pipeline. There is also a shaded eating area, a cafe, personal lockers, and spacious personal cabanas. And just in case you are wondering, regular admission and a season pass cover the entrance fee for Diggerland USA and The Water Main. And don’t miss their wave pool with waves up to 4 feet high and 52-foot slide towers with three unique slides.
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Runaway Rapids at Keansburg Amusement Park
Runaway Rapids is an exciting family waterpark on the Boardwalk of Keansburg’s Amusement Park. Kids can explore interactive play areas while encountering numerous fun water features. Get showered by the Water Mushroom, swing high from a rope before plunging into a pool with Nestea Plunge, or test your coordination on the Moon Walk. Runaway Rapids has plenty of other watery attractions, from their Lazy River to their Tipping Bucket & Bridge to many more laid-back swim areas like the Toddler’s Reef, Lost Lagoon, and Comfort Cove. They have multiple in-park snack bars, lockers, changing rooms, and picnic pavilions and they offer a group-rate food package if you’re bringing the whole family along. Don’t want to get wet? They offer a Dry Spectator Ticket option as well.
275 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
For the latest water park technology and fun, take a ride to Jackson and visit Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Great Adventure. Caribbean Cove is an adventure oasis with multiple water features and slides. Climb seven stories and jump into the Tornado, a water ride unlike any other (with a “maximum” Six Flags thrill rating). Hurricane Harbor also has family rides, like The Big Bambu and Reef Runner, where you all pile onto a raft and then brace for the six-foot plunge. Other rides include Boreas, Eurus, Zephyrus, and Nortus—all four high-speed tube slides for maximum thrills. When you’re ready to mellow out, hang out at The Blue Lagoon wave pool. This park has various snack bars, ATMs, locker rentals, showers, nursing areas, and private cabanas. In 2024, look out for the new Splash Island with a new tree-house play structure, 14 new slides for kids, added rental cabanas, more shade, and freshened-up dining options.
1 Six Flags Boulevard at Route 537, Jackson, NJ 08527
Mountain Creek Water Park (opening June 22, 2024)
One of New Jersey’s most coveted destinations for active families, Mountain Creek uses its mountainous location to its advantage, making it an excellent vertical park full of exciting features. The Zero-G enclosed waterslide stands 100 feet tall and sends guests plummeting through a trap door and completing two full loops before splashing down at the bottom. Go white water rafting on the Colorado River Rapids—an adventurous rafting ride through the natural Mountain Creek environment. This water park is all about action and adventure, but there is also tons to do for kids, including the Sprayground, Fishing Village, and the Lost Island River for those who aren’t ready for the bigger thrills. When you’re ready for a break, there are poolside snack bars, cabanas (fitting up to 8 guests), lockers to keep valuables safe, and a nearby hotel.
200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
Land of Make Believe & Pirate’s Cove
A visit to Pirate’s Cove is the perfect way to cool off during a trip to the Land of Make Believe family amusement park. Children will love the life-size Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship, where they can find the waterslides on board or explore Blackbeard’s Pirate Fort before getting dumped with a giant 1,000-gallon bucket. Littles will enjoy splashing around at the Pirate’s Cove Wading Pool, America’s largest wading pool. And together, families can have a river tubing experience down Blackbeard’s Action River Ride. But don’t think Pirate’s Cove is all tame—the Sidewinder features an unbelievably steep four-story drop and is the only slide of its kind in the tri-state area.
354 Great Meadows Road (Route 611), Hope, NJ 07844
Crystal Springs is unique because it’s one of the first water parks in NJ that is a municipal water park. Photo Credit: @vikolya1985
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark
The Township of East Brunswick is home to New Jersey’s first municipal water park, offering accessible, safe, and fun water activities for the whole family. This facility features several main attractions—a recreational pool, lap pool, spray park, kiddie pool, activity pool, family pool, lazy river, and water slides. In addition to aquatic fun, a family-friendly concession stand sells food and pool accessories such as sunscreen, goggles, and more. During the 2024 season, they offer limited chairs, grills, or picnic tables. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
380 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
The Splashplex-East Hanover
An extension of the Funplex, the action turns wet outside during the summer at their water park. Thrill-seekers can plunge speed waterslides, enclosed tube slides, open tube slides, and body slides. While the kids take water fun to the next level, parents can hang out at the cabanas for a resort-like experience. When your crew is ready to take it down a notch, the whole family can relax together while floating down the lazy river or swimming in the infinity pool.
182 NJ-10, East Hanover, NJ 07936
The Splashplex- Mount Laurel
Like the one in East Hanover, this water park has varying levels of slides, an activity pool, Sharkey’s Cafe, bowling, amusement rides, and a picnic pavilion steps away from an indoor amusement park. And recently, five new slides have been added, doubling the size of this water park in NJ.
3320 NJ-38, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054
Clementon Park & Splash World
This two-in-one amusement park fulfills any family’s need for water park adventure and classic amusement park thrills with a single admission. Kids can explore Shipwreck Bay and Laguna Kahuna, get the blood pumping on Torpedo Rush and Sky River Rapids, or cool down on the Lazy River and Big Wave Bay. When you are ready to grab a towel, head to Clementon Park to experience kid-friendly rides, including the Vintage Carousel, Railway, and Giant Ferris Wheel.
144 Berlin Road, Clementon, NJ 08021
Spiral down some slides at Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach, and there are so many water parks in NJ worth checking out. Photo Credit: @casinopier_bwb
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Waterpark
Located in the heart of Seaside Heights Boardwalk, this water park is in the center of lots of boardwalk action with gorgeous ocean views. Check out the large and small slides, wave pool, and Interactive Play Area with multiple levels of watery fun, including the 500-gallon Nantucket Bucket that could dump water on you any time. The Revolutionary Wild River is not your ordinary “lazy” river—it’s filled with water cannons, fountains, and bubbles ready to burst when you least expect it. This water park also offers plenty of lockers to keep your belongings safe, private cabanas, changing rooms, a shower area, and concession stands when it’s time for a treat. Try the new Boston Sea Party with two separate flumes for 2024.
800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
OC Waterpark (Opens officially June 15, but may open the weekend before)
OC Waterpark is one of New Jersey’s beloved beachside water parks on the boardwalk. In addition to the popular spiraling, plunging, and speeding water slides, there’s a water playground where little ones can explore the pirate ship, climb the lighthouse, and play under raining palm trees. Older kids will love Adventure Peak, a 35-foot climbing wall with five challenges at the top. In addition, this water park offers multiple slides for all ages, a mini-golf, a lazy river, air jumpers, and many places for toddlers.
728 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08826
Morey’s Piers & Raging Waters Water Park (Opens June 1, 2024)
This South Jersey water haven has been a favorite family fun destination for decades, as no two visits to this water park seem ever to be the same. You’ll find speed slides, river adventures, an interactive pirate ship and forts, body slides, fountain pools, rope swings, and family activity pools. Because the layout of Raging Waters is a dynamic, multi-leveled design, kids feel like they’re playing in a tropical paradise. The giant lazy river twists and turns throughout the entire pier, allowing for fun views of every ride and activity from the comfort of your inner tube.
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Tomahawk Lake Water Park
Tomahawk Lake Water Park is within a 20-acre lake and is celebrating its 72nd year. Take the Crazy Horse Run, Apache Plunge, or the serpentine body slide known as the Sitting Bull. Or plunge down the Geronimo coaster or on a single or double tube on the Black Snake. After an afternoon of waterpark fun, check out the 18-hole golf course, volleyball area, and old-fashioned picnic area with more than 800 tables.
155 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta Township, NJ 07871
Water parks in NJ are barrels of fun, especially Thundering Surf in Beach Haven. Photo Credit: @chrisette-richards
Thundering Surf (opens June 15, 2024)
Celebrating over 45 years of creating family memories, Thundering Surf is the world’s longest, continuously operating water park. It’s loaded with multiple slides, a lazy river, a surfing simulator, and areas for young kids like the Toddler Area and Cowabunga Kids, an interactive splash park. Together, families can float down the lazy river with water activities along the way, experience tube water slides, or sunbathe on the family sundeck. You can also rent one of the cabanas to create a space for your family to set up camp, with lounge chairs, deck chairs and tables, a complimentary locker, and complimentary water bottles. This is definitely one of those water parks in NJ that you won’t want to miss.
Bay & Taylor Avenues, Long Beach Island, NJ 08008
Splash Zone Waterpark (opens June 22, 2024)
This Wildwood water park has a variety of ways to keep you cool on a hot summer day. When the bell sounds, watch out for the 1,000-gallon water bucket as it tips, making a splash in Giggle Bay. Or take the Beast of the East, a five-person raft ride, or the totally enclosed Midnight Run tube slide. The little ones can cool off in the Zoe Zone, designed for infants and toddlers. There are also cabana rentals, the Flow Bar, or grab a bite at The Zone Grill.
3500 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Ocean Oasis Water Park & Beach Club at Morey’s Piers (Opens June 15, 2024)
At the end of Surfside Pier at Morey’s Piers is a waterpark filled with buckets of fun. Drop five stories in three seconds on the Cliff Dive. Race five friends in WipeOut!, a six-lane slope slide with 12,000 gallons of water circulating through it daily. If you are kid-free, hit the Water Lilies Swim Up Bar, or take the littles to The Activity Pool, The Puddle, or the action-packed Bonsai Beach. Cabana and locker rentals are also available.
3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Sesame Place
If you’re heading to the amusement park, pack a swimsuit to spend time at this water park with younger kids in mind. Ease on down Big Bird’s Rambling River, let loose in Bert and Ernie’s Splashy Shores, or get splashed with a 1,000-gallon bucket of water at The Count’s Splash Castle. Your littles will love Elmo’s Silly Splashy Slides and Abby’s Fairy Falls. It’s the perfect respite on a hot day when you’ve had your fill of the amusement rides.
100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA 19047
LEGOLAND® New York Resort Water Playground
Crash, splash, and slide into this new oasis with waterslides, a cascading splash with 318 gallons of water, and a build-your-own LEGO boat to float and race. When you dry off, you can visit seven areas of bricktastic fun with everything from Merlin’s Flying Machines to the Brick Party Carousel. And if you want to keep the fun going, you can stay overnight in the LEGOLAND® New York Resort Hotel with LEGO® themed rooms. The water playground is available by reservation only.
1 Legoland Blvd., Goshen, NY 10924
Indoor waterparks for any time of year
Is this a dream? DreamWorks Water Park is the largest water park in the United States. Photo Credit: American Dream DreamWorks Water Park
American Dream DreamWorks Water Park
Located inside American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ, this is the largest indoor water park in the United States, and being inside means it’s on, whether rainy or chilly, temps. Head to the slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools—and when your kids have had their fill (or their skin starts to wrinkle), you can hit the restaurants, mini-golf courses, aquarium, and an indoor skiing slope (because this being American Dream, you can ski in even 100-degree heat). Staying a while? The DreamWorks Water Park also offers poolside cabanas for up to five guests to kick their shoes off and get comfortable, as well as Sky Box Suites, which offer luxury amenities like designer décor, flat-screen television, a private changing room, and Coca-Cola beverages.
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Big Kahuna’s
With its tropical theme and indoor and outdoor parks, Big Kahuna is a “must” for families year-round. This impressive space feels like an underwater fantasyland, with the winding Tiki Tides lazy river wrapping around activities, including the Little Lizard Landing adventure playland, Komodo Crossing obstacle course, Aqua Arena water basketball court, and The Flow Rider, an indoor surfing simulator. Big Kahuna’s has no shortage of outdoor fun either—the Tidal Waves wave pool, Hibiscus Bay, and Little Kahuna Lagoon are just some fun-in-the-sun activities—and you’ll find amenities for a full-day stay like VIP Cabanas, an island-themed cafe, and arcade.
535 North Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Island Waterpark
The largest indoor/outdoor beachfront water park in the United States is open at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City. Island Waterpark has everything from waterslides to lazy rivers, restaurants, pools, and even outlet shops. How many water parks in NJ can you say will feature a 100,000 square-foot retractable glass-pane roof to make it a year-round family-friendly spot? With 11 slides, a 10,300 square-foot splash pad, and even a surf simulator pool, there’s no shortage of fun. There’s even an adult-only zone.
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Welcome to the biggest indoor water park in NY with state-of-the-art features and a luxury lodge experience. It’s always a balmy 84 degrees inside, thanks to the transparent roof that lets the sun peak inside and holds the heat. So, while you’re floating along the lazy river fringed with palm trees and lush vegetation, you’ll have views of the majestic Catskill Mountains steps away (and miles of hiking trails you can easily access from the resort). Take a spin down the Krakken water slide, try the thrilling Nor’Easter, or race your family on the Jiggerty-Jaggerty. The kids will flock to the Later Gator Crossing, the Cannon-Ballers, or the little ones will love the Puddle Ducks. Besides the water park action, you can find luxe suites, family fun adventures, and many great dining choices on site.
555 Resorts World Drive, Monticello, NY 12701
Both parents and kiddos will have a blast at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Photo Credit: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
You will find three parks at the resort: an outdoor pool, an indoor water park, and Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures. The resort’s centerpiece is the indoor waterpark filled with over 220,000 square feet of thrills—twist down the Barreling Baboon slide, race your kids down the slide with the Cheetah Racers, or test your balance on the Flowrider and practice your bodyboarding and surfing skills. If you are looking for more, float in the Lazy River, let the kiddos frolic in Coral Cove, or your littles can even turn into a mermaid for the day. Suites go up to five bedrooms, and Kalahari makes sure there’s plenty for parents to do as well, including a spa and signature restaurants offering gourmet fare and artisan cocktails.
250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA 18349
Great Wolf Lodge
Gear up to get wet at this popular resort with a Western feel and lots to entertain the whole family for a weekend. Cool off at the interactive four-story water fort treehouse with slides and toys. Float away in the Crooked Creek, try the tandem tube ride Alberta Falls, or take a 40-foot drop at Coyote Cannon and then relax in the family hot tubs (or the adults-only one for the two of you). Kids will also love the “dry” activities, where they can wave a wand on a Magiquest Adventure, go mining for gemstones, go bowling, play indoor glow golf, or visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop. Suites are roomy enough for families, and dining is family-focused, with many allergy-friendly menu options.
1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, PA 18355
H20ooohh! at Split Rock Resort
Rain, snow, sleet, or freezing temps won’t stop your family from enjoying indoor water park fun at Split Rock Resort. With over 50,000 square feet of water attractions, get ready for three four-story slides, a wave pool, Leapin’ Lillypads, and everyone’s favorite, the dumping bucket. Don’t miss a ride on Pennsylvania’s Komodo Dragon to surf and test your balancing skills. There is also a hotel, golf course, and dining facility on-site.
428 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony, PA 18624
Aquatopia at Camelback Mountain
With 13 water slides, you can’t go wrong with a family vacation at the Camelback Resort. The Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark is open year-round and allows you to enjoy 84-degree water in the middle of the winter. Don’t miss the indoor cabanas, poolside amenities, and interactive toddler area. You can also spend your day at one of the five indoor activities such as Rock Climbing, Laser Tag, Escape Rooms, and Virtual Reality Experiences. Check out their Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark when the weather turns hot, with thrill-seeking rides and a wave pool boasting the Pocono mountains in the background.
193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, PA 18372
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