Choosing Missouri for your next getaway with your family or friends is always a good idea. The state is filled with history, culture, tradition, and… Great barbeque. Of course, you’ll want to savor all the goodness the state offers, but you’ll definitely want to spend some time cooling off in one of the state’s many waterparks too!
Here are some of the best waterparks in Missouri that you should check out on your trip:
Best Waterparks in Missouri
Adventure Oasis, Independence
The first on our list is only open to the city’s residents. Adventure Oasis was once open to both locals and visitors, but the waterpark was so good that families and groups from outside the city kept coming back! The wait lines got too long for the park to handle, so they decided to accommodate only Independence residents. Still, it’s worth exploring what the people are raving about, right?
The waterpark features several pools, activities, and exercises. The waterpark’s highlights are the Side Swinder, Rattler, and Scorpion water slides. The family-friendly Side Swinder is a 308-foot raft slide, while the Rattler is a 210-foot open flume slide. If you’d rather ride a tube slide, the Scorpion is the 197-foot slide you’re looking for!
Adventure Oasis also has areas for little visitors. The Halfpint Paradise and Coyote Creek are where kids can have fun in the water with you! Hopefully, the waterpark will open its doors to everyone again soon.
Address: 2100 S. Hub Drive; Independence, Missouri 64050 | Phone: (816) 325-7370 | Website: http://indep.us/adventureoasis
Aquaport, Maryland Heights
Opened in 1998, Aquaport is a favorite among both locals and tourists alike. Aquaport has a Kids’ Area, so you don’t have to worry about bringing the little ones along. After all, waterparks are for everyone to enjoy! The area is complete with a shallow pool, several water sprays, and the Wacky Water Slide. When it’s not your turn to watch the kids, you can explore the rest of Aquaport!
One of the waterpark’s highlights is the Extreme Bowl. It’s best for the most adventurous thrill-seekers because it requires you to slide down an enclosed tube before swirling through the funnel-shaped bowl! You’ll go round and round before you finally splash into the pool below.
The newest addition to Aquaport’s lineup is the FlowRider. No, you don’t have to drive to the beach and catch a wave. You just have to head to the waterpark and try your hand (or your body) at this ride! The FlowRider is a continuous wave simulator that lets you bodyboard, surf, or wakeboard in the waterpark.
If you plan to spend a day at Aquaport, you can check out their scheduled programs, activities, and events beforehand. The waterpark is perfect for birthday parties or group events in Missouri!
Address: 11911 Dorsett Rd. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 | Phone: (314) 291-6550 | Website: https://www.marylandheights.com/visitors/aquaport/index.php
Big Surf, Lake of the Ozarks
If you find yourself in the Lake of the Ozarks and have a day to do anything you want, heading to the Big Surf is a good choice. Amazing rides and delicious food in one place? It’s the perfect destination for those looking to have some water-filled fun in the sun!
Big Surf has a 600-feet Lazy River and a 375,000-gallon pool that gives you 3-feet tall waves. If this is too much for your children, they can have fun at the Activity Pool or Splash Island. Splash Island is a zero-entry pool that only goes six to 18 inches deep. On the other hand, the Activity Pool is four feet deep with a lily pad bridge and swift tube slides.
For visitors who are ready for some serious fun, Big Surf has Challenger Flumes. They are 300 feet water slides that will make your heart race. Or, you can go for a four-story drop on the Zambezi Falls. If these are not exhilarating enough, the Space Bowl will take you on a swift slide and then drop you into a 30-ft wide bowl.
When you need to recharge, fill yourself with some burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and anything else you can find on the waterpark’s Surfside Grill menu. Sounds fun, right? The waterpark was Missouri’s Best 2021 Winner. Big Surf promises you nothing but big waves and bigger fun!
Address: 954 State Road Y, Linn Creek, Missouri 65052 | Phone: (573) 346-6111 | Website: https://www.bigsurfwaterpark.com/
CoCo Key Water Resort, Kansas City
[This park is permanently closed]Farmington Water Park, Farmington
The Farmington Civic Center has many activities for the youth and the young at heart. They have two indoor pools, a 1/8th mile indoor track, and three courts for volleyball, basketball, and tennis. They also have the Farmington Water Park!
A lap pool, a lazy river, and slides that will make your heart race, the waterpark has it all! The River’s Edge Splash Pad is always a winner for kids. They can try to dodge the water spray that comes out of the ground! What makes the waterpark more of a good choice for family bonding is the Pooch Plunge. It’s designated for dogs, where they can romp and play in the swimming areas.
Moreover, the Farmington Water Park has “Movies at the Water Park” where you can enjoy family-friendly films while you’re floating in the pool. The special event can make your water park experience even more memorable!
Farmington is the county seat of St. Francois, home to a community of more than 16,000 people. The waterpark is just one of the city’s many gems, so go ahead and explore!
Address: Farmington Community Civic Center Two Black Knight Drive Farmington, MO 63640 | Phone: 573-756-0900 | Website: https://www.farmington-mo.gov/farmington-civic-center
Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center, Cape Girardeau
Staying in Cape Girardeau and looking for a place where you can have some water-filled fun? You don’t need to go far! The Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center is the perfect place for families and friends who want to enjoy sunny days. And, because it’s a “family” waterpark, the rides and attractions cater to all ages.
Start with the pools: Lap Pool, Vortex Pool, and Zero Depth Entry Pool. All three welcome everyone, from the youngest to the oldest members of the family. The Lap Pool is for those who want to do some laps or just enjoy a relaxing swim. If your kids want to run around and have a splash-tastic time with new friends, the waterpark also has a Splash Pad. Water sprays and fountains will keep them cool and entertained for hours!
Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center’s highlights include mat racers and speed slides. The Blue & Green Mat Racers allow you to go in for a head-to-head race with your friends or family. If you’re not the competitive type, you can line up for the Orange Speed Slide. It’s a 259-feet slide with three drops from the 30 feet-tower. Go even crazier with the Yellow Speed Slide, which is 6 feet longer than the orange. It’s a free fall slide, so you’re bound to have an electrifying experience!
The waterpark also holds aquatic programs and events. You can certainly trust Cape Girardeau for your family’s aquatic needs!
Address: 1565 N. Kingshighway Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 | Phone: 573.339.6343 | Website: https://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/departments/parks___recreation/Facilities/cape_splash_family_aquatic_center
Oceans of Fun, Kansas City
“Extreme” is what Oceans of Fun is all about. Conveniently connected to Worlds of Fun, the waterpark has 16 areas to conquer!
Captain Kidd’s is a water playground for your kids who can’t swim yet or are still getting the hang of it. They can explore the pirate ship, go down the slippery slides, and have a blast with the water cannons. If you’re up for some game time with them, the Coconut Cove is the activity pool that welcomes all ages!
Oceans of Fun doesn’t run out of family areas. You have the Caribbean Cooler, where you can float and be lazy in the waters, and the Surf City Wave Pool, where you can brave the 5-minute waves together! Slides for adults and kids include the Aruba Tuba, which was opened in 1993. The 45-feet tall is 400 feet long, dropping you down into the pool with a splash.
And, of course, the waterpark has exhilarating rides for the bravest of hearts! The Constrictor was opened in 2013, and when you see it for the first time, you’ll know why it’s one of the most popular slides in the waterpark. Double tubes spiraling down, taking you through 360-degree tight turns? You’ll want to try it again and again! If you want to be adventurous with a friend, head over to the Hurricane Falls. Make sure you hold on tight as you speed down the 14-foot-wide flume and shoot up the steep sides that will show you how it feels like to be 90 degrees vertical.
Another unique ride at Oceans of Fun is the Monsoon. You and your family can get into a 20-passenger boat, travel up a lift, and drop into a wall of water. The ride has been available since 1992, and nobody has been safe from getting wet and wild. Oceans of Fun is not called one of the state’s best waterparks for nothing!
Address: 4545 Worlds Of Fun Ave, Kansas City, MO 64161 | Phone: 816-454-4545 ext. 1 | Website: https://www.worldsoffun.com/oceans-of-fun
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Eureka
It’s impossible not to have heard of Six Flags. It’s a chain of amusement parks all over America, known for giving families a great time. So, of course, their waterpark in Eureka is also set to provide you with one of the best days out! Six Flags Hurricane Harbor has about eight water activities and rides you can try to your heart’s content.
With the Big Kahuna, you get to jump into a jumbo-sized raft and race down into a massive open-air slide! It’s called the “Big Kahuna” because someone from your team has to be the Big Kahuna and ensure you conquer the widest, steepest, slickest snaking route.
Next on the list is the Tornado, which will also bring you all together in one raft. You must climb up seven stories and jump into a crazy ride into the eye of the tornado! Your raft will shoot you from a height of 75 feet and drop you down a 132-foot tunnel. You must go through the 60-foot-wide funnel and feel the tornado’s power, throwing you side to side until it finally spits you out into the pool!
Don’t worry; the waterpark also has family-friendly rides. You can unwind in the Gulley Washer Creek or catch some waves at the Hurricane Bay. And, when you’re down for some more screaming and thrills (after surviving the Tornado!), you can have the time of your life in the Typhoon Twister. You’ll definitely go home feeling like you’ve been to the best waterpark in Missouri!
Address: Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka, MO 63025 | Website: https://www.sixflags.com/stlouis
Splash Landing, Monroe City
MARK TWAIN LAKE JELLYSTONE PARK is known for giving locals and tourists unforgettable family camping experiences. Camping requires a lot of energy, so it’s only suitable to have a waterpark on-site to help everyone relax and have fun! Along with the other activities and amenities here, the waterpark makes Monroe City one of the best places to visit in Missouri.
It’s a thrilling water park near Mark Twain Lake, giving season passes to visitors who want to keep the fun going for as long as possible. These passes also give you the following advantages:
- ‘Bring a friend free’ days
- ‘Early entrance’ days.
- Day use admission to both Splash Landing and Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park™
The waterpark also has daily admission, so you don’t have to worry about overspending on your trip.
It has a wave pool that will make you feel like you’re at the beach, a lazy river to just float around in, and slides for the more adventurous ones. The Space Bowl is what makes it one of the best water parks in Missouri, though. You get to go down a tube and then into a giant bowl where you’ll be spun around until you finally drop into the pool below!
If you choose the waterpark for your next family celebration, they also have a private pool with a pavilion available for rental.
You can have your party by the pool and enjoy all that it offers!
Address: 42636 Landing Lane Monroe City, MO 63456 | Phone: (573) 735-9422 | Website: https://www.marktwainlakejellystone.com/the-water-zone/
Summit Waves, Lee’s Summit
Lee’s Summit is a city in Jackson County, and it’s just a few minutes away from Kansas City. It has a rich history and captivating landmarks, inviting tourists to visit and explore. Of course, the city also has one of the state’s well-known waterparks, Summit Waves.
Summit Waves is an excellent place for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the company of family and friends. The waterpark opened in 2008 and was the city’s first family aquatic center! Summit Waves has a 904-foot Action River. It also has an 8000-square foot wave pool that allows as many families as possible to have the best time.
Summit Waves has several slides for kids and adults to enjoy. For the kiddos, they will love the water playground area that features mini-slides. You will hear them shriek in excitement with all the dump buckets and water sprays! And the adults? You can have your share of excitement in the waterpark’s body and tube slides.
The waterpark also holds events that you can catch throughout the year. They have Family Fun Nights, Dive-In Movies, and even Pooch Paddles. Yes, your pets are very much welcome in the waterpark, too! It’s not a “family” aquatic center if it doesn’t welcome your beloved furry friends.
Summit Waves continuously upgrades its facilities. Lee’s Summit is a great place to visit, and the Summit Waves waterpark is one of the reasons you should.
Address: 120 SW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | Phone: 816-969-1545 | Website: https://cityofls.net/parks/facilities/summit-waves#28311-general-info
The Bay Water Park, Kansas City
Kansas, the city in Missouri with a long list of parks you can visit, is set to help you cool off and splash around like there’s no tomorrow! The Bay Water Park is one of the many attractions in this metropolis, and you and your kids can enjoy the slides, pools, and other water activities in store for you.
How many pools does the waterpark have? A lot! The Play Pool is perfect for fine-tuning your strokes and swimming laps. You can also shoot hoops or float around in their floating lake animals! If you’re looking for a pool where families rule, the Family Play Pool has many slides and kid-controlled sprays and fountains.
The Bay Water Park’s rides ensure you can watch over your kids as they splash around. And you don’t have to miss out on the fun! The Swirl Bowl will give you a good dose of adrenaline as you slide down and whirl around the bowl until you reach the bottom. And you can take over the BayRider, too, and ride the waves like a pro! Everything in the waterpark will show you how serious Kansas City is about fun.
The Bay Water Park is one of the KC parks that locals and tourists won’t want to skip, especially on hot days. Watch out for their activities and events, too! Your visit to the city will never be complete without a trip to the waterpark.
Address: 7101 Longview Rd. Kansas City, MO 64134 | Phone: +1 816-965-9218 | Website: https://www.kcparks.org/
White Water, Branson
If there’s a list of the top family vacation destinations in Missouri, Branson will definitely be on it. After all, the city is known for its live music shows, entertainment, theme parks, and everything family-friendly. That’s why the White Water waterpark also makes it to the list of your must-visit locations!
White Water is one of Silver Dollar City’s attractions, giving you 13 acres of slides. You have ten areas to explore, one of which is Kalani Towers Mat Racer. Sliding head first, you must get on the mat and see who among you can reach the end of the course first. A little family competition is always fun!
The craziest ride in the waterpark is Kalani Towers Drop Slides. Have you ever gone free falling for 75 feet at over 40 mph? Well, it’s high time you do! Keep your arms across your chest and let the adrenaline rush through you as you make your way down the slide!
White Water also has the Surf’s Up Wave Pool and the Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay. It was voted one of America’s Best Outdoor Water Parks. The waterpark promises you two million gallons of fun, so go ahead and dive in!
Address: White Water 3505 W. 76 Country Blvd. Branson, MO 65616 | Phone: 417.336.7100 | Website: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/white-water
Ready To Check Out Missouri’s Waterparks?
Waterparks are one of the best places to be during hot days, and Missouri is no stranger to that. With its many attractions, the state definitely knows how to have fun under the sun! Waterparks in Missouri will ensure you enjoy every minute of your stay. So, if you’re looking for the best ones, this list will get you started. It’s time to make a splash in Missouri!
Be sure to also check out our list of the best indoor water parks where you can enjoy amazing water slides and pools year round!
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