The Best Water Parks in New York State

New York is a big state with a lot of people, many of whom get hot and sweaty in the summer and seek relief at water parks. Fortunately, the state has plenty of places to cool down. Some of them are attached to amusement parks and theme parks, while others are standalone attractions.

But water slides and lazy rivers are no longer the exclusive province of summertime fun. Indoor water parks offer year-round, climate-controlled getaways. New York has some indoor water parks to discover as well.

Before we get to the listings, you may want to explore New York’s theme parks. Or perhaps you are considering travel to nearby states and want to check out water parks in New Jersey or water parks in Pennsylvania (where you could find some major indoor water park resorts in the Pocono Mountains).

New York water parks are arranged alphabetically.

01 of 13

Cascades at Greek Peak: Cortland Indoor Water Park

The Cascades indoor water park at Greek Peak — Greek Peak

The medium-sized water park is part of Hope Lake Lodge Resort and Greek Peak. Highlights include water slides, an indoor/outdoor whirlpool spa, and an interactive play structure with a tipping bucket. In the winter, Greek Peak also offers downhill and cross-country skiing as well as snow tubing and snow boarding.

02 of 13

Enchanted Forest Water Safari: Old Forge Outdoor Water Park

Enchanted Forest Water Safari is a large seasonal, outdoor water park that includes the Cascade Falls family raft ride, the Killermanjaro speed slide, and the Tidal Wave Pool. The park also offers "dry" amusement rides including a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and a Tilt-A-Whirl. "Enchanted" attractions include Storybook Lane and other activities for young children.

03 of 13

Hurricane Harbor: Darien Center Outdoor Water Park

Darien Lake SplashTown water park — Darien Lake

This large water park is included in admission to Six Flags Darien Lake amusement park. Highlights include Brain Drain, a 300-foot-long water slide that sends passenger into a 360-degree sideways loop, the Big Kahuna family raft ride, and Tornado, a funnel ride.

04 of 13

Hurricane Harbor: Queensbury Outdoor Water Park

Hurricane Harbor water park at The Great Escape — Six Flags

In addition to the indoor water park, Six Flags Great Escape Lodge (see below), The Great Escape also offers a large outdoor water park that is included in admission to the amusement park. Features include Capt'n Hook's Adventure River, the huge Black Cobra enclosed tube slides, and the Lumberjack Splash Wave Pool. Because Darien Lake and The Great Escape are Six Flags properties, their water parks are both branded “Hurricane Harbor.”

Continue to 5 of 13 below.

05 of 13

Martin's Fantasy Island: Grand Island Outdoor Water Park

Note that Martin’s Fantasy Island closed in 2020. Another owner may buy it and reopen it, but as of now it is listed as "permanently closed.”

When it was open, the medium-sized, outdoor water park, located near Niagara Falls and Buffalo, was included in admission to Martin's Fantasy Island amusement park. Highlights included The Cannon Bowl bowl ride and Dragster Drench, a multi-lane mat racing slide.

06 of 13

Roseland Waterpark: Canandaigua Outdoor Water Park

Roseland is a good-sized water park. Highlights include The Cliff, a 65-foot-tall speed slide, and Mammoth, a family raft ride. Other attractions include beach volleyball, boat rentals, and the Water War Zone water ballon fight.

07 of 13

Seabreeze: Rochester Outdoor Water Park

Seabreeze New York wave pool — Seabreeze Amusement Park

Primarily a traditional amusement park, Seabreeze also offers a medium-sized water park that is included in admission. Highlights include Helix, a bowl ride, Soak Zone, an interactive water play structure, and Hydro Racer, s mat-racing water slide complex.

08 of 13

SplashDown Beach: Fishkill Outdoor Water Park

SplashDown Beach water park — SplashDown Beach

SplashDown Beach is a good-sized standalone water park. Highlights include Arctic Mammoth, a family raft ride, the Humunga Half-Pipe, and the large Monster Wave Pool.

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09 of 13

Splish Splash: Riverhead, Long Island Outdoor Water Park

Lazy River at Splish Splash — Splish Splash

One of the country's most acclaimed and largest water parks, Splish Splash offers all kinds of ways to get wet. Highlights include the bowl ride, Dragon's Den, as well as speed slides and a funnel ride.

10 of 13

Six Flags Great Escape Lodge: Queensbury Indoor Water Park

Six Flags Great Escape Lodge water park — Six Flags

Located next to The Great Escape amusement park (which is open during the warmer months), the indoor Six Flags Great Escape Lodge remains open year round. It is comparatively small for an indoor park. But it offers a surprising number of attractions including a FlowRider wave simulator for body surfing and Avalanche, a family raft ride.

11 of 13

The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark: Monticello Indoor Water Park

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark — The Kartrite Resort

Billed as the largest indoor water park in New York, The Kartrite offers plenty of attractions, including Nor’easter, a raft ride that soars up a half-funnel, a FlowRider surfing ride, the Empire Bay lazy river, and Kartrite Island, a huge interactive water play center with a dump bucket. The Kartrite resort also includes a spa, restaurants, function rooms, and a hotel featuring suites.

12 of 13

Thunder Island: Fulton Outdoor Water Park

A medium-sized park, Thunder Island’s attractions include tube slides, kiddie slides, and a mini lazy river. The water park is part of a family entertainment center, which also offers go-karts, mini-golf, zip-lining, and an arcade.

Continue to 13 of 13 below.

13 of 13

Zoom Flume: East Durham Outdoor Water Park

Zoom Flume water park in New York — Zoom Flume

Located in the Catskills, Zoom Flume is a good-sized, seasonal water park. Features include the enclosed Black Vortex tube slide, the Canyon Plunge speed slide, the Grand Prix Splashway mat-racing slide, the Typhoon Twister bowl slide, and the Wild River family raft ride.