The Best Water Parks In Las Vegas (Top 5 -Must Visit!)
Las Vegas in the summer…it’s hot…it’s dry, and it’s one of the most perfect spots in the country to visit a water park. However, before you visit, you’ll want to know which Las Vegas water parks are worth your time.
Las Vegas has a ton of amazing pools, and some even have a waterslide or two, but nothing holds a candle to a true Las Vegas water park. These are the five water parks in town I love the most.
Keep reading to find out why I believe these five water parks are the ones you’ll want to check out when you visit Las Vegas.
1. Cowabunga Bay (Top Las Vegas Water Park)
Cowabunga Bay is the best water park in Las Vegas. Only 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, it’s the perfect place for a family daytime outing, a complete vacation, or even an entire summer (with a season pass).
Cowabunga Bay Attractions
The waterpark covers 25 acres and has over a dozen water slides, several separate water attractions, and a few places to grab a bite to eat. They even have a shopping and souvenir store.
Just some of the water slide rides you’ll find at Cowabunga Bay waterpark:
Beach Blanket Banzai – Four riders jump in a raft and race down over 600 feet of exciting twists, turns, and drops. A thrilling slide for the whole family!
Breaker 1-9 – Choose from one of four different slides as you race your way down these high-speed tubes!
Point Panic – Jump on an inner tube and take a thrilling run down this completely enclosed water slide in pitch-black darkness. You’ll never know when the next turn is coming!
Surfing USA – The starting line is over 50 feet high as you line up to race five other riders down the slopes side-by-side.
Wild Surf – This is the one you’re eyes will be glued to as you enter the parking lot! It’s the largest man-made wave in the world. Hop in a four-person raft and ride the wave.
Zuma Zooma – This is definitely one of the most fun and exhilarating rides you’ll find at this water theme park. You basically stand on a trap door that opens unexpectedly and drops you straight down.
There are also some slides for the younger children, plus an entire splash area called Cowabunga Kids Cove.
In addition to the water slides, you’ll find a lazy river as well as one of the biggest wave pools in Nevada.
Cowabunga Bay Park Ticket Prices
General admission at the waterpark for one day starts at around $45, with lower prices depending on the individual’s height and age. Parking is an additional cost and runs about $8. There’s also an option to store your belongings in a secure locker for an extra fee while you enjoy the theme park ($11 – $15 a day).
| Cowabunga Bay Admission Type | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| (48″ and over) General Admission | $44.99 |
| (less than 48″) Youth Admission | $32.99 |
| (65 and older) Senior Admission | $19.99 |
| Summer Nights Ticket (4 pm – 9 pm) | $29.99 |
| Choose your day passes | from $24 |
Note: You can get a reduced rate waterpark ticket if you plan in advance by choosing a specific day to visit.
Cowabunga Bay Water Park Season Pass & Cabanas
If you plan on visiting the water park more frequently, Cowabunga Bay also offers season passes.
A standard season pass is around $100 and will qualify the holder for admission and discounts within the park and includes free parking throughout the summer.
If you want a truly relaxing experience, you can rent a 10 x 10-foot cabana with lounge chairs, a ceiling fan, safe to secure your valuables, and an exclusive cabana pool for the day with a price of around $180 Mondays through Thursdays and about $200+ for weekends and holidays.
Cowabunga Bay Discount Tickets
You can sometimes find discount ticket prices for Cowabunga Bay here on groupon. While not always available, these discounted tickets can sometimes be available for up to as much as 50% off the standard ticket price at the waterpark.
Plan to Arrive Early at This Park
Some recurring criticisms with guests of the water park are the slow wait times for the water slides.
As much fun as I have here, I agree that you can spend a lot of time waiting in slow lines when it gets busy. My advice is to arrive as close to opening time as possible, and then you’ll have an hour or two to slide to your heart’s content before the lines start to get long.
Hotels Near Cowabunga Bay Water Park
If the waterpark is the main attraction of your Vegas, visit you’ll want to know which hotels are near Cowabunga Bay water park. Cowabunga Bay is partnered with several nearby hotels if you wish to stay closer to the park.
Sunset Station is the premier hotel of Henderson and Cowabunga Bay’s official hotel, it’s easy to see why. Sunset Station boasts a casino, bowling alley, movie theater, and restaurants and is only 2 minutes from the water park.
Green Valley Ranch is located just a few miles from both the Las Vegas Strip and Cowabunga Bay, Green Valley Ranch is a great option. Prices vary from very affordable to very luxurious.
Or you can see a complete list of hotels near Cowabunga Bay on Tripadvisor.
Cowabunga Bay Address, Website & Dates of Operation
Park opening and closing times change throughout the season and are based on the weather as well as the local school’s summer schedule but are clearly listed on their website for the season (see below).
- Website: Cowabunga Bay Water Park
- Address: 900 Galleria Dr, Henderson (google maps)
- Distance from the Strip: Approximately 10 miles to Mandalay Bay
- Hours of Operation: Check calendar for hours and dates
2. Cowabunga Canyon (Water Park Las Vegas)
Cowabunga Canyon (formerly Wet n’ Wild Las Vegas) is another one of the best waterparks in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it can be found on the west side of the valley. Located about the same distance from the Strip as Cowabunga Bay, it’s another great option for families and children who want to get the most out of their Vegas vacation.
Cowabunga Canyon Theme Park Attractions
Sporting 8 water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a kid’s area with child-friendly water slides, this is a great place for families with young children.
Some of the best water slides here include:
Boot, Scoot, & Boogie – Rides down this slide are like being in the belly of a snake with more twists and turns than just about any other water slide! A multi-person ride with speeds up to 18 mph.
Dust Bowl – Two riders slide down a fully enclosed tube before dropping into the huge bowl where they get splashed and spun around until they g