Your water-loving, adventure seeking kids will have a blast at these Ann Arbor Water Parks. These parks feature large water slides, spray playgrounds, lazy rivers, wave pools, and so much more.
Outdoor Water Parks
Outdoor water parks operate seasonally – typically Memorial Day to Labor Day. These are a great way to spend a summer day.
Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Water Park is part of Rolling Hills County Park. It is the largest water park near Ann Arbor.
The water park at Rolling Hills is quite large. It has a wave pool, two slide towers, zero entry section, spraygrounds and a lazy river. The spraygrounds was all new for 2019.
New for 2024 is a special Tot Time on the spraygrounds. Only kids 54″ and under will be allowed on the spraygrounds from 1-2p and 4-5 daily.
My daughter loves Rolling Hills Water Park! We always have a great time as a family when we visit!
Online ticket sales are now available to limit your time spent in line. It also ensures getting tickets before they reach capacity for the day.
At a Glance
Address: 7660 Stony Creek Rd, Ypsilanti
Hours: noon-7p Daily
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day – Closed 8/26-30
Price: Washtenaw County Resident: $11. Non resident: $13
Vehicle Admission: $6/day ($30/year) for Residents, $10/day ($45/year) for non-residents.
Blue Heron Bay Spray Park
Blue Heron Bay Spray Park is part of Washtenaw County’s Independence Lake Park
Blue Heron Bay caused a bit of internal debate as to whether it is a water park or a splash pad. It has a large splash pad and a slide tower. The presence of the slide tower pushed it for inclusion in the water park list.
The park offers a splash playground and a waterslide tower with two slides.
An Annual Pass for Blue Heron Bay is available for individuals or a family of 4.
If you plan to visit often, I suggest buying a vehicle admission passes for $30/calendar year ($45 non-resident). Blue Heron Bay also offers annual admission passes. A family of 4 pass is $100 which would require which would require visiting more than 6 times. Or $30 for an individual.
Independence Lake also offers a beach for swimming.
At a Glance
Address: 3200 Jennings Rd, Whitmore Lake
Hours: Blue Heron Bay: 10a-6p Daily. Weekend only before June 8 and after August 19.
Season: Blue Heron Bay: May 25-Labor Day
Price: Washtenaw County Resident: $4. Non resident: $5
Vehicle Admission: $6/day ($30/year) for Residents, $10/day ($45/year) for non-residents.
Check out these events from our sponsors:
Splash ‘n’ Blast
Splash ‘n’ Blast is located at Kensington Metropark’s Martindale Beach. It features a splash pad and a 2 slide tower.
Note: you must be 42″ to ride the water slides
In addition to Splash ‘n’ Blast, you can swim in the lake at Kensington. There are beaches at Martindale Beach near Splash ‘n’ Blast, or travel through the park to Maple Beach.
At a Glance
Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway Milford
Hours: 11a-7p
Season: Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day
Price: $7 for 42″+, $6 for 30-42″, Free for under 30″ . Save $1 after 5p.
Plus $10 vehicle admission or Metroparks annual pass ($40/resident, $45/non-resident)
Turtle Cove Water Park
Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center is part of Lower Huron Metropark.
Turtle Cove features 2 large slides, a lazy river, and a giant 300-gallon dumping bucket. It also has a zero-entry pool with lap lanes.
At a Glance
Address: 40151 East Huron River Drive, Belleville
Hours: Weekday: noon-7p
Season: Opening June 15 – Labor Day
Price: Weekend: $12 for 48″+, $10 for 30-48″, Free for under 30″. Save $1 on weekdays. Twilight rate: $8 (last 2 hours)
Plus $10 vehicle admission or Metroparks annual pass
Jump Island
Sadly Jump Island has not been around since the 2022 season when they operated an inflatable water park at Brighton State Recreation area.. Their website and social media are gone. We had a great time when we visited in both 2017 & 2018 and will miss them
Indoor Water Parks
Indoor water parks are a year round option. These water parks are located at hotels, but also offer daily admission options.
Zehnder’s Splash Village
Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth expanded in the mid 2010s with a whole new section of the water park. My daughter and I visited with friends over mid-winter break in 2016 to check out the expansion.
The new expansion is bright and airy. It has a family raft slide, a drop slide, a second lazy river and a pool area. The original area offers two tube slides, play structure, kids play area, and more, but is much darker.
They have limited capacity. It is recommended to book your day tickets before driving up from Ann Arbor. Get more details on their website.
At a Glance
Address: 1365 S Main St, Frankenmuth
Hours: Summer: 9a-9p weekdays, 9a-10p weekends
Price: Varies by day – Typically $43 half-day/$51 full-day on weekdays. $58 half-day/$68 full day on weekends/holidays
Splash Universe – Now Reopen!
Splash Universe is located in Dundee near Cabelas. They have two tube slides, a play structure with smaller slides, a lazy river, and a special area for small kids.
After closing in 2020, the hotel has a new operator who has been doing large upgrades. As of May 2024, they have reopened the pool and arcade and are waiting on the restaurant.
At a Glance
Address: 100 Whitetail Dr, Dundee
Hours: Finally Reopened in May 2024
Price: From social media comments: $60/day with a $40/day weekday special in May
