Anyone who’s lived in Colorado for any length of time knows that there’s no such thing as too much water. From raging rivers to snow-capped peaks, the Centennial State is full of natural waterways waiting to be explored.
Looking for a fun-filled day out with the family? Check out one of Colorado’s many water parks! Whether you’re looking for a place to cool off on a hot day or want some family-friendly fun, Colorado has it all.
From lazy rivers and thrilling slides to wave pools and kids’ areas, there’s something for everyone at the best water parks in Colorado. So put on your swimsuit and get ready for some fun in the sun!
Note: Some locations may still be temporarily closed due to Covid, or inclement weather during their open season. Call to check before making plans to go.
- Great Wolf Lodge – Colorado Springs
- Old Town Hot Springs – Steamboat Springs
- Water World Colorado – Federal Heights
- Pirates Cove Water Park – Englewood
- Island Kingdom Water Park – Denver
- Hotel Glenwood Springs – Glenwood Springs
- Bay Aquatic Park – Broomfield
- H2O′ Brien Pool – Parker
- Brighton Oasis Family Water Park – Brighton
- Clear Creek White Water Park – Golden
- Walsenburg Wild Waters Park – Walsenburg
- Discovery Bay Outdoor Waterpark – Greeley
- Family FunPlex Indoor Waterpark – Greeley
- Final Thoughts
- Other fantastic water parks to consider for some family fun
Great Wolf Lodge – Colorado Springs
The Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs is home to the biggest indoor water park in the state. With over 50,000 square feet of slides, pools, and activities, it’s perfect for a day or weekend of fun. Best of all, the park is open year-round, so you can enjoy it whatever the weather.
With 11 different types of rides and attractions, there’s something for everyone at Great Wolf. Head to the Howlin’ Tornado for a thrilling ride down the six-story slide, or relax in the lazy river. There’s also a wave pool, several kids’ areas, and an adults-only hot tub.
Recommended ages: All ages, kids 2 and under are free
Open: Year-round, hours vary on holidays
Admission Price: Full-day pass and half-day pass available. Prices and hours vary depending on the time of year.
Why not check out our guide to all of the Great Wolf Lodge locations to find out more?
Old Town Hot Springs – Steamboat Springs
If you’re looking for a water park with a Western twist, check out Old Town Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs. With 4 hot springs, and water temperatures ranging from 98 to 103 degrees, it’s the perfect place to relax after a long day of playing.
The source of all the water is the Heart Spring, which was used by the Native American Ute Indians. This natural mineral hot spring pumps out over 200 gallons of 102-degree water out of the ground per minute. This water eventually feeds all of the pools at their facility.
The Heart Spring has been pumping water for more than a century. This is important because the water is at a consistent temperature. The Native American Ute Indians who first settled the area used the natural springs for physical and spiritual healing. Later, it was used by the first homesteaders.
There are also two water slides on-site, each standing at an impressive 230 feet.
Don’t forget to check out the Wibit during the summer. Kids can have a lot of fun on this floating obstacle course.
Recommended ages: All ages. Children must be 44 inches tall and strong swimmers to ride the water slides. Kids must be 15 years or older to sit in Hot springs.
Open: Year-round, with hours varying for holidays. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Admission Price: Kids 2 and under are free. Admission is $21-$27 for hot springs depending on age. Add $7 per day for unlimited water slides. Yearly memberships are available.
Water World Colorado – Federal Heights
Located in Denver, this water park is the largest in the state with over 48 acres of aquatic fun. It has something for everyone, from thrill-seekers to those who just want to relax in the sun.
This is a water park you’ll want to visit again and again. Imagine a place where you can ride through an abandoned temple or encounter dinosaurs on your journey. You may think that this is only possible in the imagination, but it’s real!
Water World Colorado has over 20 thrill-filled themed rides for anyone who seeks out some thrilling fun at their summertime destination. There are also several kids’ areas and a wave pool.
Recommended ages: All ages
Open: Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours vary on weekdays and weekends.
Admission Price: Prices start at $26.99-$31.99 plus tax/fees. Buy tickets online to save. Prices for admission are based on height. Kids 40″ and under are free. Seasonal passes are available.
Pirates Cove Water Park – Englewood
Ahoy Mateys! This small but fun outdoor water park is perfect for a day of family fun. It has a variety of pools and slides, as well as a lazy river and a kiddie pool.
The Leisure Pool at Pirates Cove has a pirate-themed water playground structure, a zero-depth entry, and a giant dump bucket. It’s perfect for the kids to enjoy hours of fun.
A sandy beach to make sandcastles and a lazy river that winds through the upper levels of the park make this a perfect place to relax on a hot day. Are you brave enough to go down the Swirling Vortex from the lazy river?
Recommended ages: All ages
Open: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Hours vary on weekdays and weekends.
Admission Price: Admission starts at $10. Kids 23 months and under are free. Englewood residents receive discounted prices.
Island Kingdom Water Park – Denver
This amusement park and water park combo is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. With more than 20 slides and attractions, it’s no wonder why this place is always so crowded!
For thrill-seekers, there are a number of attractions and rides in the water park to enjoy. Want to race down the water slide? Team up with a friend or family member on Gangplanks to set off on the two continuous tube slides. Who will get to the bottom first? Swirl around in a circle until you can’t anymore on the Tube Top, which offers plenty of excitement for riders.
Families have options for the younger children as well with the family slides. Check out the Splashdown as you travel 75 feet, twisting and twirling with some squeals (or screams) of delight from the kids.
They also have a wave pool and a lazy river.
Recommended ages: All ages
Open: Island Kingdom Water Park is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Admission Price: Kids 2 and under are free. Prices start at $44.99. The water park is free with Elitch Gardens Theme Park admission from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Hotel Glenwood Springs – Glenwood Springs
The Hotel Glenwood Springs is the area’s only indoor water park, making it an excellent choice for family vacations.
Hotel Glenwood Springs Splash Pool and Indoor Waterpark is a one-of-a-kind water park with a big indoor pool and an indoor waterslide. Guests can also enjoy their wading pool and recreation area.
There’s also a toddler play area, which is perfect for the little ones. A rain tree fountain greets kids as they enter the children’s zone that features a zero-depth entrance.
With so much to do here, the weather will no longer be an issue to have fun at the pool!
Recommended ages: All ages
Open: Seasonally, check website for availability
Admission Price: Included with room reservation
Bay Aquatic Park – Broomfield
Looking for a place where your younger children can safely play too? This is the place for that! The Bay Aquatic Park is designed for children between the ages of 1 and 13 years old.
If you are traveling with kids who are on the younger side, you will be happy to know that the leisure pool was designed with a zero-depth entry.
This water park is perfect for those who love a good thrill. The older kids will enjoy the two giant water slides and a lazy river.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the day at this aquatic park.
Recommended ages: Designed for families and children ages 1-13 years
Open: Seasonally in the Summer through Labor Day
Admission Price: $5-$9. Residents get discounted pricing. Kids 3 and under are free.
H2O′ Brien Pool – Parker
This pool is a great place to beat the heat during the summer. The H2O Brien pool is a popular summer hangout spot for the residents of Parker, Colorado. It is located just 20 minutes outside of Denver. This water park is perfect for adults and kids alike. Adults will enjoy the lap pool, concession stand, and shaded seating areas.
Kids, get ready to splash your way down the two 182 foot water slides. The toddlers will enjoy the zero-depth entry to the large water jungle gym, with water spraying out in all directions from the spray garden to the geysers! There’s no doubt the kids will want to come back again! Plus, with all that splashing around in the water, they are sure to sleep well!
Recommended ages: All ages. Riders must be 40″ tall to ride the yellow slide, 48″ to ride the red slide, and 52″ to ride the blue slide.
Open: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Admission Price: Kids 2 and under are free. Adults 62 and over are free. All others $6-$8
Brighton Oasis Family Water Park – Brighton
The Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic Park is a water-entertainment park for people of all ages. On a hot day, this water park is the ideal location to cool down. It features several pools, slides, and fountains suitable for families of all sizes.
Come and enjoy the deep pool, wave generator, and lazy river with a zero-depth entrance. This water park has a water basketball court, two thrilling water slides, and a climbing wall for those looking for extra fun.
The two thrilling water slides will give you an adrenaline rush. If you are looking for a more relaxing experience, take a float down the Lazy River.
The water park features a tot pool with several interactive water features and an entry with zero depth. Bring money for snacks or bring your own drinks and food. Either way, you’re sure to have a fun-packed day!
Recommended ages: Families with younger children
Open: Seasonally in the summer. The Brighton Oasis will not open unless the daily predicted high is at least 70 degrees.
Clear Creek White Water Park – Golden
Clear Creek White Water Park isn’t your typical water park. It’s a unique and natural scenic spot specifically designed for recreational purposes. It is the place to go if you are looking for some excitement on the water. This park offers kayaking, canoeing, and tubing on Clear Creek.
This park is perfect for those who love a good adrenaline rush. It offers visitors the chance to raft down Clear Creek through a series of challenging rapids. With 800 feet of beautiful, rushing water that features rocks in the stream bed where beginners can splash about in pools or eddies, this 1/4-mile course is perfect for both recreational kayakers and canoeists.
The tubes come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re on a budget, they should be able to do what’s necessary. The best option is one with a mesh bottom so your butt doesn’t stick out while also providing sturdy back support through the tube material to make it easy to go tubing all day!
Recommended ages: All ages, families with teens or older children
Open: Seasonally June through September
Admission Price: Free
Walsenburg Wild Waters Park – Walsenburg
Walsenburg Wild Waters Park is a family-friendly water park in Walsenburg. The park has something for everyone, from the lazy river and splash pads for the little ones to the extreme slides and deep diving well for the more adventurous!
The Walsenburg Wild Waters water park has 2 large water slides, 3 pools, and a lazy river. It also has many different water features, such as dump buckets, sprays, and fountains to splash around in.
There is also a children’s play area with small slides and fountains in the zero-depth entry pool. And, if you need a break from the sun, there are several shaded areas with picnic tables.
Pack a lunch and spend the day at this wonderful water park!
Recommended ages: All ages
Open: Seasonally, check website for dates and hours
Admission Price: Kids 2 and under are free. All others $5.25-$7.25
Discovery Bay Outdoor Waterpark – Greeley
Discovery Bay is a great place to spend a hot day in the Summer! The Discovery Bay Waterpark is an amazing place to take the kids this summer. With a large pool, a 243-foot slide, zero-depth area, and lazy river, it’s no wonder that it’s one of Greeley’s most popular attractions!
Designed specifically to look like an archeological dig site, the park has granite wall art representing the history of Northern Colorado all the way back to the Paleolithic era.
Kids will splash around in the dinosaur water playground, which offers a one-of-a-kind custom design complete with tipping tanks, bubbling geysers, and a bridge.
There is something for everyone at Discovery Bay!
Recommended ages: All ages
Open: mid-May to mid-August, 12 – 5 p.m.
Admission Price: $4 for youth and seniors, $5 for adults, and $1.50 for children 5 and under, accompanied by an adult.
Family FunPlex Indoor Waterpark – Greeley
The Family FunPlex Indoor Waterpark is an amazing place to take the kids this summer. With a heated pool, large thrilling water slides, and a lazy river, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the best water parks in Colorado!
The younger kids can explore the zero-depth pool and water jungle gyms and take a break at the outdoor patio for a quick snack break.
Anyone over 48″ tall can splash and twist down a ride on their long indoor waterslides! Don’t miss splashing around at the water basketball hoop and getting your heart pumping during a long swim at the 25-meter lap pool.
There’s something for everyone at the Family FunPlex Indoor Waterpark!
Recommended ages: All ages
Open: Year-round and closed on some holidays, hours vary
Admission Price: $5 for youth and seniors, $6 for adults, and $2 for children 5 and under, accompanied by an adult.
Final Thoughts
Colorado is known for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities, and water parks are no exception. These are some of the best water parks in Colorado which are perfect for a summer day of fun with the family! From raging rivers to relaxing pools, there’s something for everyone here. Soak up the sun and enjoy some aquatic excitement this summer at one of these great water parks!
Other fantastic water parks to consider for some family fun
If you’re hoping to find some more of the best water parks, our round-up below will be the perfect place to start.
- 12 of the Best Indoor Water Parks in Michigan
- 6 of the Best Indoor Water Parks in Texas
- 18 of the Best Indoor Water Parks in the US
- 16 of the Best Water Parks in Texas
- 11 of the Best Water Parks in Kentucky
- 10 of the Best Water Parks in California
- 12 of the Best Water Parks in Tennessee
- 11 of the Best Water Parks in Ohio
- 11 of the Best Water Parks in Indiana
- 10 of the Best Water Parks in Mississippi
- 9 of the Best Water Parks in Massachusetts
- 11 of the Best Water Parks in Arizona
- 9 of the Best Water Parks in Illinois
- 7 of the Best Water Parks in Atlanta, Georgia
- 9 of the Best Water Parks in New England
- 9 of the Best Water Parks in North Carolina
- 7 of the Best Water Parks in Oregon
- 8 of the Best Water Parks in Orlando
- 8 of the Best Water Parks in Maryland
- 13 of the Best Water Parks in the Caribbean
- 6 of the Best Water Parks in The Bahamas
- 10 of the Best Water Parks in Las Vegas
- 12 of the Best Water Parks in Florida
- 6 of the Best Water Parks in Oklahoma
- 9 of the Best Water Parks in Alabama
More about our TFVG Author
A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.
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