IL Water Park, Aquatic Center Guide 2025

ACROSS ILLINOIS — After a winter of being cooped up at home, Illinois’ water parks beckon. 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. Also, when temperatures drop below 72 degrees, pools may close for the day, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead.

COOK COUNTY

Atcher Island

730 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg

Opens: May 24

Type: Park District:

Details: A tropical-themed water park with water slides, a unique circular drop slide, children's playground and more.

Hours: Special hours May 24-29. Daily hours 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting May 30.

Admission: $10 for residents, $14 for non-residents

Mystic Waters Aquatic Center
2025 Miner Street, Des Plaines
Opens: May 31
Type: Park district
Details: Tall slides, drop slides, leisure pool, water features, cafe
Regular season: May 31 to Aug. 10; Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Post-season: Aug. 16 to Aug. 31, 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 31
Type: Park district
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.
Regular season hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, May 31 to Aug. 10
Post season: Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31

White Water Canyon
8221 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
Opens: June 1
Type: Park district
Details: 5 acres of swimming and splashing fun for the whole family, featuring water slides, lazy river, diving board, concessions.
Regular season hours: Noon to 8 p.m. daily, May 31 through Aug. 10. Special event hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4
Post-season hours: Aug. 11 to Aug. 31; Friday, 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Centennial Outdoor Aquatic Center
16028 127th St., Lemont
Opens: May 30 (season pass holders), May 31 public
Type: Park district
Details: Slide, diving board, 6-lane, 25- meter pool. Leisure pool with zero-depth entry and some play pieces.
Regular Season 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, May 31 to Aug. 10. 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: May 1
Type: Park district
Details: Swim-season attraction with a tropical theme & numerous pools & rides including a huge 4-way slide.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 31 through Aug. 10.
Post season: 11:30 a.m. 5 p.m., weekends only starting Aug. 16 and Aug. 17; Aug. 23-Aug. 24; and Aug. 30-Aug. 31. 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
Type: Park district
Opens: June 16 tentative
Details: This is one of the largest facilities of its kind, features over 20 water toys, sprays and fountains, plus a picnic area. It’s completely interactive and there is no limit to the fun that can be had at the Spray ‘N Play.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 12:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 4.

Flick Outdoor Aquatic Center
951 McHenry Road, Glenview
Opens: May 24-May 26, May 31-June 1, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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.
Regular season: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 7 to Aug. 10; 11:30 to 5 p.m.
Holiday Hours: July 4
Lap swim (adults): 6.a.m. to 10 a.m. daily
Post-season: Aug. 16 to Aug. 31, weekends and Labor Day 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Meadowhill Park
1479 Maple Ave, Northbrook
Opens: May 26 to Aug. 10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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.

Northbrook Sports Center
1730 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook
Opens: May 26 to Aug. 10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Type: Park District
Details: Diving Boards, Locker Room, Outdoor Swimming Pool, Pool Play Features, Shade Canopies, Sun Deck, Vending Machines, Vortex Pool, Water Slides, Zero-Depth Pool

The Water Works
505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg
Opens: May 26, noon to 6 p.m.
Regular Season: Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. open swim.
Type: Park district
Details: Three water slides, rapid water channel, water playground, diving pool, lap pool, zero depth entry pool, whirlpool, family changing room.
Lap Swim: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday.: 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

DUPAGE COUNTY

Coral Cove Water Park

849 W. Lies Road, Carol Stream

Opens: Saturday, May 31

Type: Park district

Details: Beach-themed water park with large walk-in pool, water slides, driving board, spray and playground, drop slide, climbing wall and tot area.

Hours: Hours vary.

East End Pool

463 Schiller Street, Elmhurst
Opens: May 30 to Aug. 12
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.
Hours: See hours.

Normal P. Smalley Pool
665 S York St, Elmhurst
Opens: June 7
Type: Park district
Details: Slide, diving board, spray area
Hours: 11am-6pm daily, June 7 to Aug. 10
Holidays: Noon to 6 p.m.

Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center
828 Montgomery Road, Aurora
Opens: May 31
Details: Zero-depth entry leisure pool, two drop-off slides into a plunge pool; one twisting enclosed body flume slide; two winding body flume slides; kid-friendly areas with spray guns, waterfall, a small slide and dumping coconut tree; two regulation sand volleyball courts, outside food and beverages are allowed, sand play area with seating and shade, lap-lane swimming at designated times.
Regular season hours: 10:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 12:30 to 6 p.m., Friday through Saturday, May 31 to Aug. 10.
Post-season hours: Weekends only, Aug. 16 through Aug. 31, 12:30 to 6 p.m.
Holiday hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Independence Day and Labor Day

Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park
8301 Janes Ave, Woodridge
Opens: May 31
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, waterfall cascade, tall water slides, a six-lane lap pool and shake shack.
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 31 to Aug. 10
Post season: noon to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday only, Aug. 16 through Sept. 1.

KANE COUNTY

Santa Springs Water Park
601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee
Open: Water park open May 26 through Sept. 1; amusement park open through Oct. 26
Type: Commercial
Details: Santa's Village has opened a Caribbean-themed Santa Springs, which includes water slides, water play areas and cabanas where parents can sit while the kiddos play.
Hours and Admission: Visit website

KENDALL COUNTY

Raging Waves
4000 N Bridge St, Yorkville
Opens: May 31 through Aug. 31, and Sept. 1, Sept. 1, 6, 7
Type: Commercial
Details: "Illinois' largest water park" with water slides, mat races, cabanas for rent, a four-story water fort with slides.
Hours: Hours vary, but generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; check the schedule.
Admission: Buy tickets online.

LAKE COUNTY

Hurricane Harbor
1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee
Opens: May 26
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 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.

Admission: Buy tickets and passes online.
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 26
Type: Municipal
Details: The outdoor aquatic center includes water slides, kids splash area and frog slide.
Hours: General pool hours are noon to 8 p.m. May 23 through Sept. 1 . See the full summer schedule.

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 water slides, a giant tipping bucket and zero-depth entry water play areas for pre-swimmers.
Admission: Make reservations online.

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.

Pirate's Cay Indoor Waterpark

2558 N 3650rd Rd, Sheridan, IL

Opens: Year round

Type: Commercial

Details: Pirate-themed water park with lazy river, body slides, tube slides and kiddie playscape.

Admission: Individual, group and party packages.

McHENRY COUNTY

Stingray Bay Aquatic Center
12015 Mill St., Huntley
Opens: May 24 to Aug. 12
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.
Hours: 12:15 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Special hours: noon to 6 p.m. Memorial Day (May 26) and July 4.

SANGAMON COUNTY

Knight's Action Park & Splash Kingdom
1700 Knights, Recreation Drive, Springfield
Opens: May 24
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: Promotions and group prices available throughout the summer. Buy tickets online.

WILL COUNTY

Heritage Falls Water Park
101 Troxel, Romeoville
Opens: May 31
Type: Park district
Details: Splash pad, a pool complete with a deep-end, two diving boards and two water slides.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (pass holders) and 1 to 6 p.m. public, Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to noon (pass holders) and noon to 5 p.m. general public Saturday and Sunday, May 31to Aug. 9.
Post-season hours: After Aug. 8, 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. 1).

Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park
200 Lindsey Ln, Bolingbrook (located in Volunteer Park)
Opens: May 26
Type: Park district
Details: Something for every swimmer and skill level.
Hours: Hours vary. See schedule.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford
7820 Cherryvale N Blvd, Rockford
Open: May 26 through Sept. 1
Type: Commercial
Admission: Single-day starts at $30; passes available. Buy online.
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.