Nothing embodies the spirit of summer quite like a day at the water park: basking in the sun, splashing in pools, racing down waterslides. Northern Virginia is home to several fantastic parks, where aquatic attractions like dump buckets, water cannons, and slides guarantee that the whole family will get wet.
Atlantis Waterpark
There’s a play feature with cannons, slides, and sprayers – all under a 500-gallon dumping bucket that douses those underneath it. For people not looking to be sprayed, there are two large slides (one 230-foot open-air slide and one 170-foot covered), a large swimming pool with a play island, a baby pool, and a sand play area. 2023 Season: May 27–September 4. $6.25–$13, Bull Run Regional Park: 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville
Great Waves Waterpark
As the name suggests, this park’s main attraction is a large wave pool. You can grab a pool float and stand in the pool, which simulates the feeling of the ocean’s waves. That’s not all. The park holds two high-speed slides, three waterslides, a kid zone, and a splash pad. Looking for some dry entertainment? Head to the Paradise Play structure with slides, a rock wall, and mazes. 2023 Season: May 27–September 4. $10–$19, Cameron Run Regional Park: 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria
Ocean Dunes Waterpark
Dune grasses surround this park, giving it a beachy atmosphere. The main play structure features slides, water-squirters, fountains, and a 500-gallon dumping bucket. There’s a 230-foot open waterslide and a 170-foot covered waterslide. 2023 Season: May 27–September 4. $6.25–$13, Upton Hill Regional Park: 6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Pirate’s Cove Waterpark
This water park will bring out your inner pirate. It has a 300-gallon dumping bucket and palm trees that spray water. There are waterslides and a tot pool with a clam shell slide for kids. And you can play in the sand at Buccaneer Beach or sunbathe on the deck. 2023 Season: May 27–September 4. $4–$13, 6501 Pohick Bay Dr., Lorton
Signal Bay Waterpark
Take it easy in the lazy river at this 27,000-square-foot water facility. There’s a leisure pool with zero-depth entry that makes it easy to wade in, plus slides and water cannons for some excitement. 2023 Season: May 26–September 4. $5–$11, Signal Hill Park: 9300 Signal View Dr., Manassas Park
SplashDown Waterpark
SplashDown, the largest water park in Northern Virginia, has 70-foot waterslides, cannonball slides, and twisting slides. For a more relaxing day, lounge on the lazy river. Kids can play at the lily-pad walk and the activity pool. 2023 Season: June 16–September 4. $12.50–$17.25, 7500 Ben Lomond Park Rd., Manassas
Volcano Island Waterpark
Splash, swim, and play in Sterling. Visit the splash pad that has water cannons, showers, sprinklers, and buckets. This park features a play area with a 500-gallon dumping bucket, two large slides, and a main pool for swimming that contains a tree stump-themed slide. 2023 Season: May 27–September 4. $6.25–$13, 20015 Volcano Island Dr., Sterling
Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole
This park has over an acre of fun attractions, each designed with a Gold Rush theme in mind. Pete’s Peak, the centerpiece of the park, is a mountain that holds several slides of varying sizes. Tenderfoot Pond is a toddler-friendly zone with a miniature slide and gentle bubblers. There’s even a log walk obstacle course. Other attractions include a 725-foot lazy river and water volleyball courts. 2023 Season: May 27–September 4. $13.50–$17.50, 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
WaterWorks WaterPark
This park is full of opportunities for family-friendly fun. There are several slides, a splash pad with features that spray and dump water, and obstacle courses involving log walks with ropes overhead. For those who aren’t looking to stay in the water, you can lounge in the sun or shade. 2023 Season: May 27–September 4. Andrew Leitch Park: $8.25–$8.75, 5301 Dale Blvd., Dale City
Feature image courtesy karina1tov/stock.adobe.com
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