Summer is here and it can get hot in Northern Virginia, sometimes hitting triple digits! Luckily, you don't have to travel all the way to the beach to cool off. There are many great water parks that offer a wide variety of activities throughout our region.
At SplashDown Water Park in Manassas you can experience the thrill of two 4-story waterslides, shoot through two Cannon Ball Slides and whirl through the Tropical Twister. Test your skills on the Lilly Pad and the Log Walk. Young visitors will enjoy the never-ending bubblers and spray fountains in Sandcastle Kids Kove, along with the interactive slides and their own play area. On Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 am, kids five and under and their caregivers get the park all to themselves!
Atlantis Water Park at Bull Run Regional Park near Centreville features two waterslides, a 500 gallon dumping bucket, open pools, and a dedicated area for smaller kids.
Volcano Island Water Park is at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling. This tropical themed water park feature two waterslides, one open and one closed, a large main pool, and a splash area with a 500 gallon dumping bucket. There is also a miniature golf course
Great Waves Water Park at Alexandria’s Cameron Run Regional Park features 20 acres of wave pools and waterslides. If you need a break from the water, the park also features a deluxe miniature golf course, a nine-station batting cage, picnic shelters, and a special events pavilion. Ocean Dunes Water Park in Arlington features one of the region’s largest water dumps. The big blue bucket holds 500 gallons of water! There are sprays, fountains, and a wading pool for younger visitors. There are also regular swimming pools for those looking to swim laps. When you're ready to dry off, you can entertain yourself with a round of miniature golf or you can hit the batting cages. Volcano Island in Sterling features a 500-gallon dumping bucket, a main pool with a 230-foot open slide, and a 170-foot dark slide. There's a wading pool, sandy area, and sprinklers for younger children to enjoy. An 18-hole miniature golf course is also adjacent to the park.
Ocean Dunes is a beach themed water park at Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington. It features water slides and a splash area with a 500 gallon dumping bucket.
Water Mine in Reston features Rattlesnake River, a “lazy river” that you float down in an inner tube. “Big Pete” and “Little Pete,” are two sets of slides that dumps you into a four foot pool. Younger children can climb through a covered wagon that ends with a water slide, and the littlest visitors can romp through Tenderfoot Pond, a splash area with pint-sized slides and geysers. The Water Mine is located in Lake Fairfax Park, home to a 20-acre lake, marina, carousel, and skate park.
Pirates Cove Water Park, located at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton features a mega 300-gallon dumping bucket, fire the water cannons and waterslide. You can relax in the sun on the huge deck, or search for buried treasure at Buccaneer Beach. Pirates Cove features cool souvenirs and fun-filled activities for kids and adults of all ages.
Our Special Harbor Spray Park at Lee District RECenter in Alexandria is a fully accessible complex featuring Chesapeake Bay-themed attractions including a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers and a lighthouse. The beach area is quieter with softer bubblers and interactive water tables. The computerized water maze and dumping crab basket provide more lively activity. If the kids get tired of water play, there’s an amazing playground right next to the water park entrance.
Whatever you decide to do, stay cool and enjoy your summer!
