This review of Rolling Hills Water Park is part of our Summer Series: Wednesday Activity Reviews.
On Sunday we made our first trip of the season to Rolling Hills Water Park. We usually visit earlier in the summer, but either my daughter was camping with her Girl Scout troop or we had other activities going on.
Our Visit to Rolling Hills Water Park
We had a great time at Rolling Hills Water Park. We made sure to arrive shortly after they opened at 11a and stayed until 2p. The weather was perfect for a day at Rolling Hills – hot (near 90), but cloudy and threatening storms. I think the threat of storms later in the day helped to keep crowds away. I bought a vehicle pass, so I am sure we will be returning several times over the summer.
Water Slides
There are two sets of water slides at Rolling Hills Water Park. The “new” slide tower (added in 2013) has three body slides…one twisting tube slide (yellow), one open twisting slide (blue), and an open speed slide (green). These are free standing slides which each terminate in a chute instead of a larger pool. We visited these slide towers when we first arrived and again after lunch. We always make sure to visit these slides first because they can have long lines.
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The “old” slides are built into the rock formations behind the wave pool. There is both a tube slide and a body slide. Last year both slides received a fresh coat of paint and the railing and concrete stairs were redone. It is still holding up well. Smaller children can ride the tube slide in a parents lap. I noticed this year that they are now waiting until the first rider has cleared the body slide before sending the next rider. This is a big improvement because you can get stuck on the body slide. One of my daughter’s friends was hit last year by the following rider when he got stuck on the body slide.
There is also a small slide for toddlers and preschoolers (under 42″ height). Parents can stand at the bottom to catch their kids. This small slide is part of the larger zero entry pool.
Wave Pool
The wave pool is one of my daughter’s favorite parts of Rolling Hills. She is always listening for the bell indicating that it is active. When she was younger, she liked riding an inner tube as the waves bounced her up and down. Now, as a strong swimmer, she loves diving through the waves without a tube and riding them into the “shore” The wave pool is something that families of all ages can enjoy together.
Lazy River
The Lazy River is in the back of the water park and is also an activity for all ages. There are two paths through the lazy river. The action channel includes bucket dumps, a wall of water, jets, and more. You calm channel without these spray features a more relaxed experience. There are both double and single tubes available for the Lazy River so that you can navigate the lazy river with a friend or family member. The Lazy River is perfect for the kids who zoom through the course by walking their tubes or swimming, or the adult who enjoys a lazy ride.
Zero Entry Pool
Rolling Hills Water park has a Zero Entry Pool between the old slides and the wave pool. While it has a maximum depth of less than 4 feet, my daughter loves swimming around, particularly in and out of the waterfall. On this trip she was practicing her backstroke starts and we had her working on her freestyle form.
Snack Bar
Rolling Hills Water Park has a great Snack Bar that features fresh grilled burgers and boneless chicken breasts for sandwiches or salads. Kids meal options are hot dogs or PB&J Uncrustables. They also offer Arctic Chills (flavored shaved ice), smoothies, and frozen yogurt. We typically plan to arrive close to opening and ride the slides before the crowds arrive and then break for an early lunch before the food lines get long. Purchased food must be eaten in the snack bar area. If you want to bring your own food, you can get a handstamp and eat outside the water park.
I love that you get a burger that is grilled fresh when you order. I have also enjoyed the chicken caesar salad in the past and found the lettuce to be very fresh.
Spraysape
The sprayscape is a great place for kids to get wet and enjoy the slides. At 10 my daughter still has fun on the slides and aiming the water cannons at people.
Visiting Rolling Hills Water Park
Age Range
Rolling Hills Water Park offers something for all ages. Kids as young as toddlers will enjoy the zero entry pool, sand area, and the kiddie slide. At the same time, there are enough thrills for tweens and teens to enjoy a visit. While there is enough for toddlers to enjoy, I would recommend a minimum age of 4 or 5. We’ve been bringing our daughter since she was 4.5 and she still enjoys it at 10.5.
Getting to Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Water Park is part of Rolling Hills County Park. The park is located at 7660 Stony Creek Rd in Ypsilanti Township. Reaching Rolling Hills County Park should be easier this summer compared to last summer when Stony Creek Rd was closed at Textile. However, you should still be aware of construction and road closures on Huron St/Whittaker Rd from I-94 through Merritt.
Admission Rates
Admission to Rolling Hills County Park has increased for 2016. This was their first increase in a few years after making some major improvements, so I still find it a fairly good deal. Rolling Hills County Park has a vehicle entry fee ($6 for county residents and $10 for non-residents). An annual vehicle pass is available for $30 (county resident)/$45 (non-resident). You annual vehicle pass is also valid at Independence Lake where you can visit the Blue Heron Bay splash park or the lake.
Admission to the Rolling Hills Water Park is an additional daily charge with the following rates:
- Resident Rates
- Weekday
- Adult $8
- Child (36-42″ tall) $6
- After 5p Adult $6
- After 5p Child (36-42″ tall) $4
- Weekend/Holiday
- Adult $10
- Child (36-42″ Tall) $8
- Weekday
- Non-Resident Rates
- Weekday
- Adult $10
- Child (36-42″ tall) $8
- After 5p Adult $7
- After 5p Child (36-42″ tall) $5
- Weekend/Holiday
- Adult $13
- Child (36-42″ Tall) $11
- Weekday
Kids 36″ and shorter are always free.
Water Park Hours
Rolling Hills Water Park opens at 11a each day. They are typically open until 7p on weekdays and 8p on weekends. They will close at 6p on weekdays through June 10 and August 22-26 and August 29-September 2.
Final Thoughts
If the weather stays as warm as it has been, I am sure we will visit Rolling Hills many more times this summer. I bought a vehicle pass, so I am planning to visit at least 4 times to make sure I get my money’s worth out of the pass.
More Water Park Information
Check out our most recent Rolling Hills review from 2019.
Places to Get Wet Near Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor area Pools, Water Parks, and Splash Pads are returning to operation in 2021. They are phasing in their operations as local restrictions are lifted. All of the locations on our list are opt to the public without a membership. Admission fees are noted where needed. One of my daughter’s favorite parts of summer […]
