Make A Splash This Summer At These Illinois Water Parks

ACROSS ILLINOIS — Take heart, Illinois: Warm weather is on the way. After a winter of being cooped up inside, Illinois's water parks beckon.

Whether you’re looking to escape for a day or make an overnight or weekend out of it, there are many awesome indoor and outdoor water parks in the Chicago area and beyond. Most outdoor parks open Memorial Day weekend, or in early June, and run through late August or until Labor Day weekend.

Some facilities require reservations and may exercise capacity limits. Worker shortages may also force some facilities to temporarily close for a day or two, so call ahead first.

Patch has rounded up park district aquatic centers with curvy slides, lazy rivers, interactive sprinklers and sprayers, plus commercial venues, including the Tsunami Surge, billed as the world's largest water coaster at Six Flags Great America's Hurricane Harbor.

COOK COUNTY

Mystic Waters Aquatic Center
2025 Miner Street, Des Plaines
Opens: June 4
Type: Park district
Details: Tall slides, drop slides, leisure pool, water features, cafe
Admission until 6 p.m.: $14.50 adult residents; $11.25 seniors/youth 17 and under (residents); $16.50 adults (non-residents), seniors and youth $13.50 - NR.
Twilight admission after 6 p.m. (subject to current capacity): $11.25 (adult residents), $14.50 NR; $10 seniors (60+) and youth (17 and under), 12.25 NR; 2 and under free.
Regular season: June 4 to Aug. 14; Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Post-season: Aug. 20 to Aug. 21, noon to 7 p.m.
Special hours: July 4, noon to 7 p.m.
Call ahead to make sure the pool is open or check the app.

Family Aquatic Center at Heritage Park
105 Community Blvd., Wheeling
Opens: May 29
Type: Park district
Details: Details: Water playground with large tipping bucket, tube and body slides, two drop Pool with splash pad area, water slides, diving boards, two drop slides, zero-depth main pool, splash pool, toddler slide, sand play area, sand volleyball, picnic area, lap lanes, snack bar, locker rooms.
Admission: $10 adult residents/$13 for non-residents; $8 for senior (62+) residents/$9 NR; Free for children 2 and under.
Twilight admission (4 p.m. to close): $7 individual age 3+.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (May 29 to Aug. 7)
Post season: Aug. 8 to Aug. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Aug. 13 to Sept. 5 (weekends only), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Type: Park district

White Water Canyon
8221 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
Opens: June 4
Type: Park district
Details: 5 acres of swimming and splashing fun for the whole family, featuring water slides, lazy river, diving board, concessions.
Admission: Residents $10 ($5 after 5 p.m.); $5 after 4 p.m. starting Aug. 15; non-resident $20 all day.
Regular season hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 4 through Aug. 14
Special hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 26 and July 4
Post-season hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 to Sept. 5; Labor Day 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Centennial Outdoor Aquatic Center
16028 127th St., Lemont
Opens: June 3 (season pass holders), June 4 general public
Type: Park district
Details: Slide, diving board. 6-lane, 25- meter pool. Leisure pool with zero-depth entry and some play pieces.
Admission: $6 for residents, $9 for non-residents. Children 2 and under free. Season passes available.
Hours: 9 to 11 a.m. daily (pass holders with children 11 and under); noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 4 to June 14. Daily pool hours may be adjusted and or sections of the facility may be closed due to inclement weather, attendance or staffing.

Rainbow Falls Water Park
200 Rev Morrison Blvd, Elk Grove Village
Opens: June 4
Type: Park district
Details: Swim-season attraction with a tropical theme & numerous pools & rides including a huge 4-way slide. (Park district).

Admission: $10 for residents/$16 for non-residents; free for tots under 24 months; $6 for seniors (65+), $10 NR (65+).
Hours: 11 a.m. 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 4 though Aug. 8.
Post season: 11:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m., weekends only starting Aug. 13 through Sept. 5.
Holiday Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Spray 'N Play
Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove
Opens: June 1
Type: Park district
Details: Land-based family park with water sprays, fountains & toys plus a picnic area.
Admission: Free for 12 months and under; $4 for children and adults; $2 for 62 and up; $2 for twilight (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 12:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Flick Outdoor Aquatic Center
951 McHenry Road, Glenview
Opens: May 28
Type: Park district
Details: 5-pool center featuring zero-depth play pool, diving well, drop slides, kiddie pool with slide and play features, two giant flume slides, interactive spray area, changing rooms, locker rooms, Garden Grill concessions.
Admission: $13 for resident/$16 for non-resident
Pre-season hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 28-May 30 and June 4-June 8; and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 9-June 10.
Regular season: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Meadowhill Park
1479 Maple Ave, Northbrook
Opens: May 28
Type: Park district
Details: 32-acre park with lots of sports & adventure areas, including a Velodrome, climbing wall and 4 pools, featuring diving boards, lap lanes, locker room, outdoor swimming pool, play features, shade canopies, sun deck, water slides, zero-depth pool.
Admission: N/A

The Water Works
505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg
Opens: May 30
Type: Park district
Details: Three water slides, rapid water channel, water playground, diving pool, lap pool, zero depth entry pool, whirlpool, family changing room.
Open swim admission: $8 residents/$9 NR; children under 2 free.

DUPAGE COUNTY

East End Pool
463 Schiller Street, Elmhurst
Opens: May 28
Type: Park district
Details: Zero depth wading pool with kids slide, 8 Lane Lap Pool, Drop slide, 1 meter and 3 meter diving boards, ADA accessible aquatic lift, concessions by Bacci Pizzeria, family change area and gender-neutral bathrooms and locker rooms with showers.
Admission: Youth (2-15), $8 resident/$10 NR; adult (16-61) $9/$12 NR; seniors (62+) $7/$10 NR.
Hours: See hours.

Normal P. Smalley Pool
665 S York St, Elmhurst
Opens: June 19
Type: Park district
Details: Slide, diving board, spray area
Admission: $10

Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center
828 Montgomery Road, Aurora
Due to staffing shortages, the pool is closed for 2022.

Paradise Way Water Park
437 E St Charles Rd, Lombard
Opens: May 28
Type: Park district
Details: Operated by the Lombard Park District, the park features zero-depth entry to leisure pool with spouts, fountains, water sprays and whirlpool; Hurricane sidewinder (body slide), wipe out (bowl slide), pipeline (speed slide) and Alligator Crossing water walk. Splashdown, a 12-foot dive well, boasts both a 3-meter and 1-meter dive board and drop slide. Dolphin Cove, the 8-lane lap pool can be set up to encourage lap swim, water basketball and volleyball. Turtle Cove for young kids offers zero-depth, fountains and water slide. Concessions.
Admission: Adults (18+) $11/$16 NR; seniors (60+) $8/$14 NR; child (3-17) $8/$14 NR; 2 and under free. Twilight (after 5 p.m.) $9/$13 NR, child (3-17) $7/$10 NR; seniors $7/$10 NR. Pool passes available.
Hours: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday, until 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 to Aug. 9.
Post season hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Aug. 13 to Sept. 4

Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park
8301 Janes Ave, Woodridge
Opens: May 28
Type: Park district
Details: Bayou-themed water park operated by the Woodridge Park District featuring a spray playground, lazy river, sand, zero-depth pool, an island, tubing, water fall cascade, tall water slides, a six-lane lap pool and shack shack.
Admission: $10 for residents and $17 for non-residents.
Hours: Visit website for hours and dates.

KANE COUNTY

Santa Springs Water Park
601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee
Open: May 28 through Sept. 5; amusement park open through Oct. 30
Type: Commercial
Details: Santa's Village has opened Santa Springs, which includes water slides, water play areas and cabanas where parents can site while the kiddos play.
Admission: $34.99 for any person over 39 inches tall, includes admission to Santa Springs and Santa's Village.

KENDALL COUNTY

Raging Waves
4000 N Bridge St, Yorkville
Opens: June 6
Type: Commercial
Details: "Illinois' largest water park" with water slides, mat races, cabanas for rent, a four-story water fort with slides,
Admission: Any date-tickets starting at $44.99 valid through Sept. 5, pick-your-date tickets starting at $29.99. Party packages available (8 people); all-day cabanas starting at $200.

LAKE COUNTY

Hurricane Harbor
1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee
Opens: May 28
Type: Commercial
Details: 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 boats 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. Guests who have NOT received a COVID-19 vaccine must wear a face covering during their visit.
Admission: Tickets start at $29.99 for one-day admission. Six Flags only accepts credit/debit cards, including parking.
General pool hours: noon to 8 p.m.; see the full summer schedule.

Esper A. Peterson Foundation Family Aquatic Center
250 Library Lane, Grayslake
Opens: May 28
Type: Municipal
Details: The outdoor aquatic center includes water slides, kids splash area and frog slide. All aquatic center patrons that are not fully vaccinated and/or above the age of two years old shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when unable to maintain social distance or in the designated areas spelled out in the guidelines.
Admission: Daily admission is $18 per person for those 2 years old and older.

Great Wolf Lodge
1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee
Opens: Year round.
Type: Commercial
Details: 80,000 square ft. indoor water park where it's always 84 degrees. Thrilling waterslides, a giant tipping bucket and zero-depth entry water play areas for pre-swimmers.
Admission: Day passes start at $40, overnight packages available.

LASALLE COUNTY

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

McHENRY COUNTY

Stingray Bay Aquatic Center
12015 Mill St., Huntley
Opens: May 28 to Aug. 16
Type: Park district
Details: Massive outdoor aquatic center with water slides, a kids water play area, lap swim and diving boards. Concessions sold at Ray’s Cafe.
Admission: $10 resident/$13 non-resident (age 3+); twilight rates (after $5 p.m.) $6 resident/$8 non-resident; 2 and under free, $6 twilight, $8 non-resident.
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Special hours: noon to 6 p.m. Memorial Day (May 30) and July 4.

SANGAMON COUNTY

Knight's Action Park & Splash Kingdom
1700 Knights, Recreation Drive, Springfield
Opens: May 28
Type: Commercial
Details: Multi-amusement venue with rides, attractions and water park. Splash Kingdom features eight exciting water slides, giant wave pool Sorayground- Camile's Reef,
Admission: Regular water park pass $35.95 adult, second-day pass $25; child (under 48 inches) $28.95, second day pass $25; seniors (60+) 28.95; 2 and under free. Promotions and group prices available throughout the summer.

WILL COUNTY

Heritage Falls Water Park
101 Troxel, Romeoville
Opens: June 4
Type: Park district
Details: Splash pad, a pool complete with a deep-end, two diving boards and two water slides.
Admission: $9 for residents, $14 for non-residents
Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (pass holders) and 1 to 5 p.m. general public, Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to noon (pass holders) and noon to 5 p.m. general public Saturday and Sunday, June 4 to Aug. 15.
Post-season hours: After Aug. 15, Heritage Falls will continue to be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (pass holders) and noon- 5 p.m. general admission on weekends through Labor Day (Sept. 5).

Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park
200 Lindsey Ln, Bolingbrook (located in Volunteer Park)
Opens: May 28
Type: Park district
Details: Indoor/outdoor water park, four water slides, zero-depth pool, Lazy River, sand volleyball, interactive "sprayground," 10-person hot tub.
Admission: $7 for residents, $10 for non-residents.
Hours: Vary through Aug. 31.

Winnebago County

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford
7820 Cherryvale N Blvd, Rockford
Open: May 28 through Sept. 5
Type: Commercial
Admission: Single-day starts at $29.99
Details: 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.