West Virginia's Top Water Parks and Amusement Parks

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Updated on 01/22/21

There aren’t many water parks or amusement parks in West Virginia, but the few in the state offer fun for the whole family.

If you want to leave the state for a day or weekend getaway to find parks with a bunch of water slides and roller coasters, you'll have to travel to places such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia, Kings Island in Ohio, or Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville.

There used to be a couple more parks in West Virginia, but like many early 20th-century amusement centers, they have long since closed. For example, Luna Park opened in 1912 in Charleston and offered the Royal Giant Dips coaster. (There used to be many places across the country and around the world called Luna Park in honor of the original Luna Park at Coney Island in New York City.) Rock Springs Park in Chester is another defunct park. Through the years, it featured three wooden roller coasters, including the Cyclone.

Here are a few small places in the state that offer some fun in the sun.

01 of 07

Camden Park: Huntington

The state's major amusement park is relatively small. The classic trolley park dates back to 1903. It offers four roller coasters, including the Big Dipper, which opened in 1958. In 2016, it opened the Slingshot, a steel coaster with spinning cars. Other attractions include a ride-through haunted house, a log flume, and a Tilt-A-Whirl. Camden Park’s Kiddie Land offers a carousel, a Kiddie Whip, and Handcars.

02 of 07

JayDee's Family Fun Center: Inwood

The small water park includes some slides, a kiddie area, and a pool. Outdoor activities include Go Karts, mini golf, a train ride, gemstone mining, and batting cages. There is also an arcade with video games and redemption games as well as a jungle gym. The center’s Nature Zone offers rooms for kids to explore topics such as animals, insects, rocks, vegetation, the solar system, and lights and colors. There is also a fitness center. Indoor activities, including the arcade, jungle gym, Nature Zone and fitness center are open year round.

03 of 07

Splash Zone: Clarksburg

Splash Zone water park in Clarksburg West Virginia — City Parks of Clarksburg

The small municipal water park offers some water slides and a large pool. Swimming lessons are available. There is also an adjacent mini-golf course. Daily admission and season passes are offered.

04 of 07

Valley Worlds of Fun: Fairmont

Valley Worlds of Fun West Virginia — Valley Worlds of Fun

Indoor attractions at Valley Worlds of Fun include a tea cup ride, laser tag, bowling, an arcade, and bumper boats. Groups can book Archery Tag and Tactical Laser Tag for private events. Outdoor activities include mini golf, a climbing wall, and a freefall ride.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

05 of 07

Water Ways Park: Julian

Water Ways is a small, outdoor water park open seasonally. It includes body slides, a tube slide, a lazy river, activities for young children, a large pool, a walking trail, picnic areas, and a gift shop.

06 of 07

Waves of Fun: Putnam

The small, municipal water park is open seasonally. Among its attractions are three water slides and a wave pool.

07 of 07

Wonderland Water Park at Ace Adventure Resort: Oak Hill

Wonderland Waterpark Ace Adventure Resort West Virginia — Ace Adventure Resort

This unusual water park is located in a lake and features temporary structures, many of which are inflatable water slides. Visitors swim out to the slides. There is also a sandy beach and a splash pad. The water park is located at Ace Adventure Resort, which also offers whitewater rafting, ziplining, mountain biking, kayaking, paintball, and other activities. The resort has cabins and camping available as well as places to dine.