35 Chicago Area Water Parks (What Parents Think)

We're collecting tips & reviews for the best water parks in Chicago & the suburbs (with a few Wisconsin favorites), to help parents plan a trip with their kids!

Whether you make it a Dells weekend or check out a local waterpark near you, our interactive map helps you find the best option for your family!

From lazy rivers to thrill rides to splash pads, these Chicago waterparks offer fun in the sun for the whole family. Remember indoor waterparks for a year-round option, too.

If you've visited any Chicago water parks, give your favorites a "like" and leave a review to share your tips with fellow parents!


 

    Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park (Bolingbrook Park District)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Shila said:  Bolingbrook Park District's Pelican Harbor features 4 water slides, lazy river, splash pad, beach volleyball, sand play area, lounge chairs, and a zero-depth entry pool.

    Bolingbrook, IL

    Family Aquatic Center (Vernon Hills Park District)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Shila said:  Vernon Hill's outdoor water park features 3 slides, 2 pools, 1 lazy river, plus so much more.

    Vernon Hills, IL

    Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Alexandra F. said:  Six Flags Great America's water park attractions feature pulse-pounding water slides, relaxing lazy rivers, and family-friendly play areas.

    Gurnee, IL

    Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Sarah D. said:  Whether your children need towering water slides, baby pools or anything in between, Great Wolf has an impressive array of watery fun. Great Wolf offers day passes as well as a hotel for a weekend escape, and sits just across the way from Six Flags Great America.

    Gurnee, IL

    Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center (Mundelein Park & Recreation District)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Alexandra F. said:  Barefoot Bay is a New England-themed water park that spans six acres. Key features include a wading pool for toddlers, flume and tube slides, 740-foot lazy river, diving well, zero-depth entry and an AquaClimb poolside climbing wall.

    Mundelein, IL

    Atcher Island (Schaumburg Park District)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Gina I. said:  This neighborhood waterpark features separate fenced areas for younger kids including a kiddie pool and splash pad with slides and a dump bucket. The waterpark also has a large zero depth pool, funnel slide, and more.

    Schaumburg, IL

    Turtle Splash Waterpark (West Chicago Park District)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Kristy Pepping said:  West Chicago Park District's Turtle Splash Waterpark features 5 acres of family fun. You'll find 2 water slides, a 12' waterfall, zero-depth entry into the pool, splash pad area with bucket drops, playground, sandbox, an amazing multi-level playground called Toucan's Hideaway and more.

    West Chicago, IL

    Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center (Fox Valley Park District)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Shila said:  Fox Valley Park District and the City of Aurora co-own a family-friendly aquatic center that features many different water slides, a zero depth entry leisure pool, and a tot-friendly splash pad with tons of spray guns, waterfalls, and sprinklers.

    Montgomery, IL

    Splash Country Water Park (Fox Valley Park District)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Alexandra F. said:  Co-owned with the City of Aurora, main attractions at Splash Country Water Park include a zero-depth pool, enclosed water play area with interactive features such as spray guns and water falls, sand play area, tube slides, and a 1,100-foot long lazy river that happens to be the second-largest lazy river in Illinois!

    Aurora, IL

    Breaker Bay Waterpark (Blue Harbor Resort)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Shila said:  This 54,000-square-foot entertainment area and waterpark is always 84 degrees, making it an ideal year round destination for both Milwaukee and Chicago families. Blue Harbor Resort's indoor waterpark features an expansive activity pool, tube slides, lazy river, surf simulator, and more. Day passes are available. Stay the night and explore many other special amenities, too!

    Sheboygan, WI

    Raging Waves

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Alexandra F. said:  Illinois' largest waterpark has activities for the entire family, including a 600-foot-long family raft ride, exhilarating speed slides, and an enormous wave pool.

    Yorkville, IL

    Pirate’s Cay Indoor Waterpark (Holiday Inn Fox River Resort)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Molly Weber said:  This year-round indoor water park hotel has a facility enclosed completely in glass so you still have views of the outside even when the weather may not be ideal for outdoor activities. Even better, the roof is retractable for nice summer days! There is also easy access to a casual dining area for quick snacks or meals. The park features a lazy river, water slides, pirate ship playscape, arcade room, locker rooms, and a retail shop. The water park is open to the general public, though guests staying at the resort receive a discounted rate.

    Sheridan, IL

    Timber Ridge Lodge & Water Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Kristy Pepping said:  Timber Ridge Lodge & Water Park offers climbing, swimming and an on-site restaurant. The waterpark has 50,000 square-feet of slides, a lazy river, swimming pool and more. The park also features an arcade, arts and crafts, pool swings, toddler water play area and more. This water park is exclusive to hotel guests only.

    Lake Geneva, WI

    Springs Water Park (The Ingleside Hotel)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Shila said:  Less than 30 minutes from Milwaukee, this indoor water park features 3 slides, a lazy river, activity pool, dump buckets, whirlpool, and more. The largest slide is 362 ft. long.

    Pewaukee, WI

    Grand Bear Falls (Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock)

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Kristy Pepping said:  Enjoy a wet and wild family day at Grand Bear Falls with their 24,000 square foot indoor water park with play zones, slides, wave pool, lazy river, and 15 person hot tub!

    Oglesby, IL

Primary photo:   Raging Waves

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

View Map
35 places in this list