Dive, Slide, Float: 10 Water Parks To Visit In Illinois This Summer

Cool down with a dose of adrenaline at these ten must-visit water parks in Illinois this summer. Whether you're looking for body flumes, monster slides, waves, swirl pools, tot areas or just want to relax floating in an inner tube down a lazy river, Patch has you covered.

JERSEY COUNTY

• Raging Rivers Water Park, Grafton, IL, 100 Palisades Parkway, Grafton
• Open: May 23 through Labor Day
• Features: Slide down the Mississippi Monster and twirl in the Swirl Pool. Other attractions include Treehouse, Endless River, Shark Slide, Runaway Rafts, Breaker Beach, Cascade Body Flumes and an Itty Bitty Surf City.

KANE COUNTY

• Santa Springs Water Park, 601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee
• Open: May 23 through Sept. 27
• Features: When Santa isn’t making toys or flying around the world delivering presents, he relaxes at Santa's Village, which includes water slides, water play areas and cabanas where parents can sit while the kiddos play.

KENDALL COUNTY

• Raging Waves, 4000 N Bridge St, Yorkville
• Open: May 31 through Labor Day
• Features: "Illinois' largest water park" with water slides, mat races, cabanas for rent and a four-story water fort with slides.

LAKE COUNTY (IL)

• Hurricane Harbor, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee
• Open: May 30 through Labor Day
• Features: Hurricane Harbor Chicago is now a separate park and has its own main gate located in the parking lot adjacent to Six Flags Great America. A separate admission ticket, season pass or membership is required to enter Hurricane Harbor Chicago. The water park boasts the Tsunami Surge, the self-touted tallest water coaster in the world. Other highlights include several water slides, a body surf pool, a 500,000-gallon wave pool, a children's pool and play area and more.

• Great Wolf Lodge, 1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee
• Open: Year-round.
• Features: 80,000 square ft. indoor water park where it's always 84 degrees. Thrilling water slides, a giant tipping bucket and zero-depth entry water play areas for pre-swimmers.

LaSALLE COUNTY

• Grand Bear Resort & Water Park, 2643 IL-178, North Utica
• Open: Year round
• Features: 24,000-square-foot indoor water park with play zones, slides, wave pool, lazy river and 15-person hot tub, concessions. Day and overnight packages available.

• Pirate's Cay Indoor Waterpark, 2558 N 3650rd Rd, Sheridan, IL
• Open: Year round
• Features: Pirate-themed water park with lazy river, body slides, tube slides and kiddie playscape. Individual, group and party packages.

SANGAMON COUNTY

• Knight's Action Park & Splash Kingdom, 1700 Knights, Recreation Drive, Springfield
• Opens: May 23 through Labor Day
• Features: Multi-amusement venue with rides, attractions and water park. Splash Kingdom features eight exciting water slides, giant wave pool, and a playground called Camile's Reef.

WINNEBAGO

• Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford, 7820 Cherryvale N Blvd, Rockford
• Open: May 30 through Labor Day
• Features: Formerly Magic Waters Park. The Six Flags venue offers thrilling water rides including tropical twisters, Tiki Island kids splash zone, Little Lagoon, Paradise Pipeline, Double Dare Drop, The Abyss, Tidal Wave, Tsunami Bay and more.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY

• Lake of Egypt KOA Campground, 75 Egyptian Parkway, Creal Springs

• Open: May 22 through Labor Day
• Features: Located inside the majestic Shawnee National Forest, the KOA campground is available for overnight camping and day visits. The water park features a massive floating obstacle course, large swim deck, and watercraft like canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and paddle boats. Campers of all ages will have a blast.