Need an escape from the summer heat or even the winter cold? Then read on to learn about the best outdoor and indoor New Hampshire water parks!
Introduction to New Hampshire Water Parks
New Hampshire is typical New England, with four distinct seasons and temperatures that can rise to a fierce heat and fall to a frigid cold. Whether you are a local or a tourist, each spot on this list will make for a fun and memorable day.
These places truly have everything, from classics like a wave pool or a lazy river to splash pads for young kids and crazy water slides for older kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many outdoor water parks are there in New Hampshire?
There are five outdoor water parks in New Hampshire.
How many indoor water parks are there in New Hampshire?
There are two indoor water parks in New Hampshire. A third one (and the best one in my opinion) is unfortunately closed for reconstruction (Kahuna Laguna in North Conway, NH).
What is the largest water park in New Hampshire?
Water Country is the largest water park in New Hampshire.
What is the best water slide in New Hampshire?
I think the best water slide in New Hampshire is the Hyperlight at Water Country, but the Vortex at Candia Springs Adventure Park is fun too.
What is the best water park in New Hampshire?
In my opinion, the best outdoor water park in New Hampshire is Water Country, and the best indoor water park in New Hampshire (right now) is SkyVenture.
Outdoor New Hampshire Water Parks
There are five outdoor water parks in New Hampshire. I have listed them from north to south.
Santa’s Village
Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH has an outdoor water park that is great for Christmas in July. Come here to cool down and get in the holiday spirit!
The gentle spouts of water at Poogee’s Splash Pad are perfect for young kids. Polar Paradise is an interactive play area with spray zones and small water slides that empty into a 2-foot-deep pool.
The Joy Ride Slides up the ante, with three large water slides three stories high that are chock full of twists and turns. Lastly, Ho Ho H2O has everything from splashes to climbs to slides and a giant bucket that drenches the area every so often.
If you come less than prepared, you can purchase things like swim diapers, bathing suits, and towels. Just make sure to hit some other rides too, like the Yule Log Flume, the Reindeer Carousel, or the Little Elf Flying School!
Helpful Information
Open seasonally from mid-June to early September – Operating Hours
| Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free |
| Youth and adults | $45 |
| Seniors (over 62) | $40 |
Whale’s Tale Water Park
Whale’s Tale Water Park in Lincoln, NH is an outdoor water park with stunning 360-degree views of the White Mountains.
Shipwreck Island is an interactive play area with spray zones, small water slides, and a bucket dump. Young kids can go tubing on Beluga Boggin (which is slow) while older kids can go tubing on the Banzai Pipeline (which is fast).
The two water slides at Downpour are perfect for races, and classics like the wave pool and the lazy river are forever fun.
More adventurous kids will like Akua Beach, where they can surf or bodyboard. The Eye of the Storm is a bit wild as well, with a sloped bowl that you circle around until you drop into a dark tube and then four more feet into a pool.
The list of attractions goes on, with seemingly endless entertainment for guests.
Helpful Information
Open seasonally from mid-June to early September
*Reservations recommended
| Time of Year | Hours |
|---|---|
| June 16 to June 23 | 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| June 24 to August 27 | 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| August 28 to September 4 | 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Time of Year | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| June 16 to June 23 | $44 |
| June 24 to August 27 | $52 |
| August 28 to September 4 | $46 |
*Infants are free, children under 4 and seniors over 70 are $15
Water Country
Water Country in Portsmouth, NH is the largest water park in New England (and its jingle will stay with me until I die…if you know, you know). Here, they have a bunch of rides at different levels of intensity.
For young kids, a good choice is Adventure River with fountains, caves, and waterfalls. They might also like splashing around in the gushing geysers over at Bubble Bay.
I think the best moderate ride is hopping in the giant wave pool or white-water rafting at Wild Canyon.
For older kids, a good choice is the Screamer, a heart-pounding free fall full of adrenaline. They might also like the new Hyperlight, which has two water slides that display either vibrant colors and dynamic sounds or a field of stars.
The location of Water Country makes it a great spot for a day trip, even across state lines!
Helpful Information
Open seasonally from mid-June to early September – Operating Hours
Ticket Prices – They also have online discounts
Candia Springs Adventure Park
Candia Springs Adventure Park in Candia, NH is an outdoor water park built for thrill seekers.
They have two 40-foot-tall water slides for plummeting at high speeds, a twister water slide with a 720-degree turn, and a blackout water slide that drops you over four stories (aptly called the Vortex).
The new Aqua-Venture is an inflatable obstacle course on a lake, but you can also just relax on the sandy shore.
Back on land, they have an aerial obstacle course through the forest, ziplines, and axe throwing. With such exciting options, a trip here will certainly be memorable!
Helpful Information
Open seasonally from mid-June to early September, 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
*Reservations recommended
Ticket Prices
Read: 15 Best Things to Do in Manchester, NH (just 20 minutes away!)
Castaway Island
Castaway Island in Salem, NH is an outdoor water park at Canobie Lake Park. I loved school trips here growing up and continue to visit every couple of years.
The Lil Squirts area is a splash pad for young kids with a spraying banana and coconuts. They can play in the Rain Fortress as well, traversing a maze of ropes and bridges, or even meet a magical mermaid!
I think the Tidal River is the best spot, with features of both a wave pool and a lazy river. Then head over to Slide Island, where you can take a trip down the Python, the Anaconda, or the Constrictor.
The Dole Whip Pineapple Bar serves the famous soft-serve dessert, and the Monkey Bar serves frozen alcoholic beverages. You can get typical amusement park fare just beyond Castaway Island, like fried dough and cotton candy.
The rest of Canobie Lake Park is a ton of fun too, and I highly recommend exploring it. My favorite rides are the Boston Tea Party (a warning, you will get absolutely soaked), the Turkish Twist, and the Yankee Cannonball.
Helpful Information
Open seasonally from mid-June to early September – Operating Hours
Ticket Prices – They also have online discounts
*Sign up for the Mermaid Swim Experience after hours!
Indoor New Hampshire Water Parks
There are two indoor water parks in New Hampshire. A third one (and the best one in my opinion) is unfortunately closed for reconstruction (Kahuna Laguna in North Conway, NH). I have listed them from north to south.
Hampton Inn & Suites
The Hampton Inn & Suites in North Conway, NH has a 5,000-square-foot indoor water park for hotel guests to enjoy.
The kiddie pool is great for splashing about and has a small water slide.
There are two large water slides in the main pool (the yellow slide is open and the green slide is enclosed) and a hot tub.
Helpful Information
Open year-round, 7 days a week
*You have to sign up in advance
| Hours | Status of Water Park |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am to 12:00 pm | Open with slides on |
| 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | Closed |
| 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Open with slides off |
| 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Closed |
| 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Open with slides on |
Read: 15 Best Things to Do in North, Conway, NH
SkyVenture
SkyVenture in Nashua, NH has an indoor water park that is full of adventure.
Here, you can surf on a standing wave machine with seven wave types for every skill level. You can also ride the FishPipe, a rotating dome that brings you down a water slide (you can either sit or try and run).
They have a vertical wind tunnel for skydiving (certainly less scary than jumping from a plane!) and a 24-foot-tall rock climbing wall with beginner, intermediate, and expert routes.
Part of it is built to look like a tropical oasis, and they even serve fruity drinks!
Helpful Information
Open year-round
*Reservations recommended
| Day of Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday to Friday | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm |
| Saturday to Sunday | 11:00 am to 6:00 pm |
I hope this post leads to a respite from either the hot days of summer or the cold days of winter!
In my opinion, the best outdoor water park in New Hampshire is Water Country, and the best indoor water park in New Hampshire (right now) is SkyVenture.
Enjoy!