– Researched & written by Mike Hamers

Colorado is known for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities, and water parks are no exception. These are some of the best water parks in Colorado which are perfect for a summer day of fun with the family! From raging rivers to relaxing pools, there’s something for everyone here. Soak up the sun and enjoy some aquatic excitement this summer at one of these great water parks!

1. Water World Colorado – Denver (Federal Heights)

This water park is the largest in the state with over 48 acres of aquatic fun. It has something for everyone, from thrill-seekers to those who just want to relax in the sun. You can ride through an abandoned temple or encounter dinosaurs on your journey. It has over 20 thrill-filled themed rides for anyone who seeks out some thrilling fun at their summertime destination. There are also several kids’ areas and a wave pool.
• Recommended ages: All ages
• Open: Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours vary on weekdays and weekends.
• Admission Price: Prices start at $27-$32 plus tax/fees. Buy tickets online to save. Prices for admission are based on height. Kids 40″ and under are free. Seasonal passes are available.
• Location: 8801 N. Pecos St. Federal Heights, CO 80260
• Website: https://www.waterworldcolorado.com/play/all-attractions

CLYFFORD STILL MUSEUM, Denver
2. Pirates Cove Water Park – Englewood
2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad
3. Island Kingdom Water Park at Elitch Gardens – Denver

With over 20 slides and attractions, this amusement and water park combo is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. For thrill-seekers, there are a number of activities and rides in the water park to enjoy. Want to race down the water slide? Team up with a buddy on Gangplanks to set off on the two continuous tube slides. Who will get to the bottom first? Swirl around in a circle until you can’t anymore on the Tube Top, which offers plenty of excitement. 
Families have options for the younger children as well with the family slides. Check out the Splashdown as you travel 75 feet, twisting and twirling with some squeals of delight from the kids. They also have a Wave Pool and a Lazy River.
• Recommended ages: All ages
• Open: Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10:30 a.m. ‘til 6 p.m.
• Admission Price: Kids 2 and under are free. Prices start at $44.99. The water park is free with Elitch Gardens Theme Park admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Location: 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204
• Website: https://www.elitchgardens.com/water-park

 
2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad
4. Bay Aquatic Park – Broomfield
Looking for a place where your younger children can safely play too? This is the place for that! The Bay Aquatic Park is designed for children between the ages of 1 and 13 years old. If you are traveling with kids who are on the younger side, you will be happy to know that the leisure pool was designed with a zero-depth entry.
This water park is perfect for those who love a good thrill. The older kids will enjoy the two giant water slides and a lazy river. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the day at this aquatic park. 
• Recommended ages: Designed for families and children ages 1-13 years
• Open: Seasonally in Summer through Labor Day
• Admission Price: $5-$9. Residents get discounte pricing. Kids 3 & under are free.
• Location: 250 Spader Way, Broomfield, CO 80020
• Website: https://www.broomfield.org/2651/The-Bay-Aquatic-Park
2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad
5. Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic Park – Brighton

The Brighton Park is a water-entertainment park for people of all ages. On a hot day, this water park is the ideal location to cool down. It features several pools, slides, and fountains suitable for families of all sizes. Come and enjoy the deep pool, wave generator, and lazy river with a zero-depth entrance. This water park has a water basketball court, two thrilling water slides, and a climbing wall for those looking for extra fun.

The two thrilling water slides will give you an adrenaline rush. If you are looking for a more relaxing experience, take a float down the Lazy River. The water park features a kiddy pool with several interactive water features and an entry with zero depth. Bring money for snacks, or bring your own drinks and food. Either way, you’re sure to have a fun-packed day!
• Recommended ages: Families with younger children
• Open: Summer. The park won’t open unless daily predicted high is at least 70°.
• Location: 1852 E Bromley Lane, Brighton, CO 80601
• Website: https://www.brightonco.gov/1722/Brighton-Oasis-Home-Page

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

6. H2O’Brien Pool – Parker
The H2O’Brien Pool is a popular summer hangout spot for the residents of Parker, CO. It is located just 20 minutes outside of Denver. This water park is perfect for adults and kids alike. Adults will enjoy the lap pool, concession stand, and shaded seating areas.  
Kids, get ready to splash your way down the two 182-foot water slides. Toddlers will enjoy the zero-depth entry to the large water jungle gym, with water spraying out in all directions from the spray garden to the geysers! There’s no doubt the kids will want to come back again! 
• Recommended ages: All ages. Riders must be 40″ tall to ride the yellow slide, 48″ to ride the red slide, and 52″ to ride the blue slide.
• Open: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, weather permitting. 
• Admission Price: Kids 2 and under are free. Adults 62 and over are free. All others $6 to $8
• Location: 10795 Victorian Drive Parker, CO 80138
• Website: http://parkerrec.com/234/H2OBrien-Pool

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad
7. Clear Creek White Water Park – Golden

he Clear Creek White Water Park is not your typical water park. It’s a unique and natural scenic spot specifically designed for recreational purposes. It is the place to go if you are looking for some excitement on the water. This park offers kayaking, canoeing, and tubing on Clear Creek – perfect for those who love a good adrenaline rush. 

It offers visitors the chance to raft down Clear Creek through a series of challenging rapids. With 800 feet of beautiful, rushing water that features rocks in the streambed where beginners can splash about in pools or eddies, this 1/4-mile course is perfect for both recreational kayakers and canoeists.
Tubes come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re on a budget, they should be able to do what’s necessary. The best option is one with a mesh bottom so your butt doesn’t stick out while also providing sturdy back support through the tube material to make it easy to go tubing all day!
• Recommended ages: All ages, families with teens or older children
• Open: Seasonally June through September
• Admission Price: Free
• Location: 1201 10th St, Golden, CO 80401
• Website: https://www.cityofgolden.net/play/recreation-attractions/clear-creek-white-water-park

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

8. Discovery Bay Outdoor Waterpark – Greeley

The Discovery Bay Outdoor Waterpark an amazing place, with a large pool, a 243-foot slide, zero-depth area, and lazy river, it’s no wonder that it’s one of Greeley’s most popular attractions! 
Designed specifically to look like an archeological dig site, the park has granite wall art representing the history of Northern Colorado all the way back to the Paleolithic era.
Kids will splash around in the dinosaur water playground, which offers a one-of-a-kind custom design complete with tipping tanks, bubbling geysers, and a bridge. There is something for everyone at Discovery Bay!
• Recommended ages: All ages
• Open: Mid-May to mid-August, 12 – 5 p.m.
• Admission Price: $4 for youth and seniors, $5 for adults, and $1.50 for children 5 and under, accompanied by an adult. 
• Location: 715 E 24th St, Greeley, CO 80631
• Website: https://greeleyrec.com/aquatics-facilities/discovery-bay-waterpark
2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

9. Family FunPlex Indoor Waterpark – Greeley

The FunPlex is the perfect place to take the kids this summer. With a heated pool, large thrilling water slides, and a lazy river, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the best water parks in Colorado!
The younger kids can explore the zero-depth pool and water jungle gyms and take a break at the outdoor patio for a quick snack break. Anyone over 48″ tall can splash and twist down a ride on their long indoor waterslides! Don’t miss splashing around at the water basketball hoop and getting your heart pumping during a long swim at the 25-meter lap pool.
There’s something for everyone at the Family FunPlex Indoor Waterpark!
• Recommended ages: All ages
• Open: Year-round and closed on some holidays, hours vary
• Admission Price: $5 for youth and seniors, $6 for adults, and $2 for children 5 and under, accompanied by an adult.
• Location: 1501 65th Ave, Greeley, CO 80634
• Website: https://greeleyrec.com/aquatics-facilities/family-funplex-indoor-waterpark

 

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

10. The Splash at Fossil Trace – Golden

The Splash has fun filled attractions for all ages!  Sitting on 10 acres in beautiful Jefferson County in the City of Golden, the Splash has something for kids of all ages! Leisure Pool, Lap Pool, Splash Pad, Sandbox, kiddy slide, beach, and a Grill. 
• Recommended ages: All ages
• Open: Year-round and closed on some holidays, hours vary
• Admission Price: Admission depends on age and residency. $4-$9.50
• Location: 3151 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401
• Website: http://www.splashingolden.com
2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

11. Hotel Glenwood Springs – Glenwood Springs

The Hotel Glenwood Springs is the area’s only indoor water park, making it an excellent choice for family vacations. It’s is a one-of-a-kind water park with a big indoor pool and an indoor waterslide. Guests can also enjoy their wading pool and recreation area. 

There’s also a toddler play area, which is perfect for the little ones. A rain tree fountain greets kids as they enter the children’s zone that features a zero-depth entrance. With so much to do here, the weather will no longer be an issue to have fun at the pool!
• Recommended ages: All ages
• Open: Seasonally, check website for availability
• Admission Price: Included with room reservation
• Website: https://thehotelglenwoodsprings.com/hotel-waterpark

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad


12. Old Town Hot Springs – Steamboat Springs

If you’d like a water park with a Western twist, check out Old Town Hot Springs. With 4 hot springs, and water temp’s ranging from 98° to 103°, it’s the perfect place to relax after a long work week.

The water source is the Heart Spring, which was used by the Native American Ute Indians. This natural mineral hot spring pumps out over 200 gallons of 102° water out of the ground per minute. This water eventually feeds all of the pools at their facility. The Heart Spring has been pumping water for more than a century. This is important because the water is at a consistent temperature. The Native American Ute Indians who first settled the area used the natural springs for physical and spiritual healing. Later, it was used by the first homesteaders. 

There are also two water slides on-site, each standing at an impressive 230 feet. Don’t forget to check out the Wibit during the summer. Kids can have a lot of fun on this floating obstacle course.
• Recommended ages: All ages. Children must be 44” tall and strong swimmers to ride the water slides. Kids must be 15 years or older to sit in hot springs.
• Open: Year-round, with hours varying for holidays. (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
• Admission Price: Kids 2 and under are free. Admission is $21-$27 for hot springs depending on age. Add $7 per day for unlimited water slides. Yearly memberships are available.
• Address: 136 S Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
• Website:  https://oldtownhotsprings.org/water-slides

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

12. 13. Great Wolf Lodge – Colorado Springs

The Great Wolf Lodge is home to the biggest indoor water park in the state. With over 50,000 sq. ft of slides, pools, and activities, it’s perfect for a weekday or weekend of fun. Best of all, the park is open year-round, so you can enjoy it whatever the weather.

With 11 different types of rides and attractions, there’s something for everyone at Great Wolf. Head to the Howlin’ Tornado for a thrilling ride down the six-story slide, or relax in the lazy river. There’s also a wave pool, several kids’ areas, and an adults-only hot tub.
• Recommended ages: All ages, kids 2 and under are free
• Open: Year-round, hours vary on holidays
• Admission Price: Full-day and half-day passes available. Prices and hours vary depending on time of year.
• Website: https://www.greatwolf.com/colorado-springs/waterpark-attractions/indoor-water-park

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

======
Do you have an interesting idea for an article for Jim Crowder’s Newsletter? The topic should be about some aspect of Colorado life: it’s history, people, places to visit, restaurants, parks, museums, etc. Jim loves “Top Ten” lists! Send on email to Jim at jim@crowder.com and let him know. We’ll even give you credit for suggesting the topic if we use it.