What better way to beat summer’s heat than at a Pennsylvania water park resort! Aqua-drenched funhouses beg kids to climb, slide, and soak their friends; massive wave pools simulate exciting ocean currents; towering tube slides enchant thrill seekers; and floats down a lazy river offer the ultimate in summer relaxation.
Cool off at one of these watery playgrounds.
1. The Boardwalk at Hersheypark
Hershey

With 16 water rides and attractions, including high-speed tubing rides, a “Sprayground” for younger swimmers, and a colossal wave pool, the Boardwalk at Hersheypark offers a ton of cool summer fun! The Coastline Plunge has six different heart-pumping slides including the Vortex where brave tube riders slide down a steep tunnel, swirl around a colossal bowl, and exit into a landing pool.
Dry Fun: Hersheypark has 14 roller coasters and tons of other sweet rides and treats.
2. Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark
Tannersville

Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark, Pennsylvania’s largest, provides kids and families the ultimate playground for you to stay cool this summer. Float past waterfalls, geysers, and bubbling waters on the Blue Nile Adventure River; ride the waves at Kahuna Lagoon Wave Pool; experience plunging drops and whipping turns on the body slides — just a sampling of the fun that awaits at its waterpark’s 37 rides, tube slides, and other water park attractions.
Rainy weather? Try Aquatopia, Camelback Lodge’s indoor waterpark with 13 water slides, seven pools, and private cabanas — all within walking distance of Camelbeach. This Pennsylvania indoor water park is sure to turn any rainy day into an adventure.
Dry Fun: Visit Camelback Resort’s Adventure Park with its mountain coaster, climbing wall, and the 1,000-foot Double Barrel Zipline.
3. Waldameer Park & Water World
Erie

With 16 water slides, a giant wave pool — the largest in the tri-state area! — and kiddie play areas, Waldameer’s Water World is the perfect, refreshing warm-weather stop. Get lost in the Bermuda Triangle on its three water slides, experience the breathtaking thrill of The Raging River, or “be in the dark” as the Liquid Lightning sends riders through twists and turns in near total darkness.
Dry Fun: Experience the wooden coaster, log flume ride, or drop tower — just a few rides for those who don’t want to get soaked.
4. Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort
Erie
At Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort, reach speeds of more than 40 miles per hour on the Hurricane Hole swirling body coaster, play water basketball, experience the largest indoor wave pool on the East Coast, or simply relax along the lazy river. This Pennsylvania water park will keep the thrills going all day long with their two newer water slides, the Riptide Racers and Twister Typhon.
Dry Fun: Test your balance on tight ropes, rickety bridges, and balance beams at Tree Tops Indoor Ropes Course. Or choose from more than 75 games at the 6,000-square-foot Treasure Island Arcade including its XD Dark Ride where you’ll feel you’re actually in a video game!
5. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Allentown

A football-field-size wave pool, more than 36 water slides, and a cool fun house provoke squeals of delight at Dorney Park’s Wildwater Kingdom. For the ultimate in thrill rides enter the Snake Pit where you’ll plunge down a series of high-speed drops and banking twists and turns, or climb aboard a multi-person raft at The Aquablast, one of the longest elevated water slides in the world where even the hardiest of water sliders will be screaming.
Dry Fun: Dorney Park has six thrilling roller coasters including the Hydra — the first and only floorless roller coaster in PA, while the youngest ones will love the thrills customized for little ones at Planet Snoopy.