Best Water Parks Near Philly for Kids

Enjoy water slides and water rides galore at the biggest outdoor waterpark in PA. Photo courtesy of Camelback Mountain Resort
Enjoy water slides and water rides galore at the biggest outdoor waterpark in PA. Photo courtesy of Camelback Mountain Resort
5/5/23 - By Cait Sumner

Water parks are a great way to beat the heat in the summer, and the Philadelphia area has so many awesome places to make a splash. From water slides, lazy rivers, tubing thrill rides, surf simulators, toddler splash areas, and even swim-up bars for the adults—we've got you covered for all the best water park attractions near Philadelphia. So grab your swimsuit, towels, and sunscreen, and get ready to keep cool and carry on.

For more ways to water-play with less of a plunge and more of a spritz, check out our favorite local splash pads and spraygrounds, or browse our roundup of free swimming pools in Philly, both of which you'll find in our Philadelphia Guide to Beaches, Pools, and Water Parks.

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Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.
You get two parks for the price of one at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.

Top Outdoor Water Parks in Pennsylvania

1. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom — Allentown

The best part about Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is you get into both parks for one admission price. Wildwater Kingdom features so many great attractions including Lollipop Lagoon, Wildwater Rapids, Aqua Racer, giant wave pools, serpentine slides, two lazy rivers, and a racing slide. Additionally, Seaside Splashworks was added to the park in 2020 and contains multiple water slides, splash zones, and dozens of beach-themed play features. Some rides are geared towards older kids (with minimum heights of 42 inches or more) while others, like Splash Landing, are geared towards little ones.

2. Sesame Place — Langhorne

Sesame Place is the perfect water park for your little adventurer. Kids love playing on the Count's Splash Castle, riding the huge slip and slide, or catching a wave and riding down the accelerator slides on Elmo's Surf 'n' Slide. The best part is admission gets you into the whole park, so kids can do more than just play in the water.

RELATED: Best Splash Pads and Sprinkler Parks for Philly Families 

 Hersheypark's water park.
Enjoy the rides and cool off at Hersheypark's water park. 

3. Hersheypark — Hershey

Hersheypark may be better known for its dry rides, but the water park is plenty of fun, too. It includes a wave pool, coaster ride, multiple water slides, a lazy river, and lots of interactive water play attractions. Big kids will love the East Coast Waterworks section, while little ones can enjoy Sandcastle Cove. The 11-acre water park is included in the theme park admission rate. 

RELATED: Cheap Swim Lessons for Kids in Philly

Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark is an expansive outdoor water park in the Poconos. Photo courtesy of the resort.

Camelback Mountain becomes Camelbeach in the summer.

4. Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark — Tannersville

This outdoor water park features thrilling attractions, including Sand Storm, a huge funnel tube ride; Triple Venom, a six-story ride with three different high-speed, quick turn, huge drop slides; and Vortex and Spin Cycle, the park's bowl-shaped slides. In 2023, the park plans to open Rival Racer, a slide with 8 lanes so visitors can race their friends to the bottom. Add in lots of fun splash and water play areas for kids, a surf simulator, and zip-lining for some dry fun, and the kids will be begging to return. If you're too tired to drive home or want to make a whole vacation out of it, stay at Camelback Lodge, which is also equipped with an indoor water park for guests.

5. Dutch Wonderland — Lancaster

Called Duke's Lagoon, the water park portion of Dutch Wonderland is a parent's dream and a preschooler's delight. It's not too overwhelming, with many fountains and small slides for little ones, but there are still a few bigger slides to entertain older siblings. Families can rent cabanas and grab food at Sharky's Grill for cool drinks, chicken tenders, and burgers.

RELATED: Best Swimming Lakes Near Philadelphia

Kalahari Waterpark.
Splash through all the water features at Kalahari Waterpark.

6. Kalahari Waterpark — Pocono Mountains

America's largest indoor water park, Kalahari is connected to a hotel with an outdoor pool and arcade. This park features a bodyboarding and surfing wave pool, water coasters and flume rides, a water play area for kids, a separate toddler area with tiny slides and activities, and a basketball pool. Kalahari also has a swim-up bar and whirlpool spas for grown-ups to relax and enjoy while the kids play. There's also a seasonal outdoor pool attached to the water park. Day passes to the water park are available, even if you don't stay overnight at the resort.

RELATED: 70 Things To Do in the Poconos with Kids

Families can hit the rides together at Great Wolf Lodge's indoor water park.
Families can hit the slides together at Great Wolf Lodge's indoor water park.

7. Great Wolf Lodge — Pocono Mountains

For families looking to beat the heat indoors, the recently renovated Great Wolf Lodge offers many attractions. From relaxing hot springs and cabanas to thrilling water slides and wave pools, everyone in the family is sure to enjoy a visit to this destination. In addition to water fun, guests can enjoy a ropes course, bowling, miniature golf, arcade games, and a creation station. For an additional charge, purchase special wands to embark on the MagiQuest live-action game throughout the lodge. This indoor water park is only accessible to overnight guests of the lodge.

RELATED: The Best Jersey Shore Beaches for Families

Diggerland's water park, The Water Main.
Diggerland's water park includes a splash area for little ones. 

Best New Jersey and Jersey Shore Water Parks

8. Diggerland's Water Main — West Berlin

This construction-themed amusement park debuted The Water Main, a brand-new water park in 2020 where guests can enjoy pools, a water obstacle course, slides, a wave pool, a slide tower, and even a toddler splash area. Check out the basketball hoops, too! You can also reserve a cabana ahead of time so the whole family can spread out. Admission to the water park is included in the ticket price for the theme park.

9. Big Kahuna's — West Berlin

Boasting indoor and outdoor options, this water park, formerly Sahara Sam's Oasis, is perfect for year-round adventures. The indoor area contains lots of unique slides, the state's only surfing simulator, and an adorable toddler area. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the park also offers an outdoor beach area featuring a leisure pool, splash park, and a 12,000-square-foot wave pool. If kids need a break from the water, they can head to the arcade area for even more fun.

10. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor — Jackson

If you like water rides that thrill, Hurricane Harbor is the place for you. Check out the Big Wave Racer, an 1,800-foot slide with lots of steep drops, Cannonball, Wahini, and Jurahnimo Falls, which feature a 75-foot drop, or the Tornado, a 132-foot tunnel. Not into high speeds and big drops? Hurricane Harbor also offers family tube rides and kids' rides. Head over to Calypso Springs to enjoy a 100,000-gallon pool, an erupting geyser, a huge lounge deck, and oversized umbrellas. 

11. The Splashplex — Mt. Laurel and East Hanover

Splashplex features outdoor attractions such as wave pools, slides, and a boardwalk. Reserve a cabana in advance for a shaded area to relax with the family. Get a break from the sun's rays with inside options including bowling, arcade games, and laser tag. Splashplex is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

12. OC Waterpark — Ocean City

This beachside water park offers slides, a lazy river, and a few thrill rides, too. Take the younger children to Lil' Buc's Bay for more shallow water play with interactive features. If the family needs a break from water activities, play a round of miniature golf.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Jersey Shore Boardwalks and Amusement Parks 

Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Dave Howarth.
Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers is a tropical thrilling getaway. Photo by Dave Howarth

13. Morey's Piers and Water Parks — Wildwood

There are two water parks at Morey's Piers: Raging Waters Water Park is located at the end of Mariner's Pier, while Ocean Oasis Water Park is at Surfside Pier. Check out Shotgun Falls, Rocket Raft Run, the speed slides, and rope swings. Ocean Oasis features an endless river, as well. Younger kids will love the interactive pirate ship and family pool.

14. Breakwater Beach Waterpark at Casino Pier — Seaside Heights

A great place to visit while you're at the shore, Breakwater Beach offers free-fall slides, serpentine slides, a mat race slide with a plunge drop, an interactive multilevel splash play area, and hot tub springs. Yes, hot tub springs. 

15. DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Mall — East Rutherford

This DreamWorks-themed water park is sure to delight your little ones. With themed water rides featuring characters from Madagascar, Shrek, Trolls, and more, there's a little something for kids big and small at this park. Little adventurers can ride the slides at the Penguin Frozen Fun Zone and thrill seekers will love the Carnivortex, a high G-force experience with a trapdoor capsule that leads into a horizontal loop. Make a whole trip out of it; the complex also features Nickelodeon Universe amusement park and Big Snow, an indoor skiing, sledding, and snowboarding slope. Tickets are sold separately.

A version of this article was first published in 2016. Writer Alyce Wilson contributed to the update.

Photos courtesy of the water parks

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