A list of the best water parks in Kansas to visit during the hot summer months.
A list of the best water parks in Kansas to visit during the hot summer months. outdoor water parks with hotels
Summertime in Kansas is hot, hot, hot and the best way to keep cool is to make a splash! I love exploring summertime destinations, and I rounded up a list of the best water parks in Kansas. Whether you're going with some friends or with your family, you're certain to have a blast at these awesome spots.
1. Rock River Rapids Aquatic Center (Derby)
Located just southeast of Wichita, this Derby attraction is home to epic play structures, water slides, and so much more! Rock River Rapids is one of the best waterparks in Kansas!
Too hot? The large 300-gallon tipping bucket at Wetlands Waterpark can fix that!
3. Adventure Bay Family Water Park (Liberal)
Cool off this summer with Adventure Bay's pools, slides, and playground equipment. Adventure Park is an exciting place to visit during the summertime.
4. Big Hill Splash Aquatic Center (Coffeyville)
Giant frog slides are always in style! Bring the little ones to Big Hill Splash Aquatic Center and watch their faces light up with joy!
5. The Big Pool (Garden City)
This iconic park, which opened in 1922, lives up to its name -- it's a freaking big, a 2.6 million gallon pool! You absolutely must visit Garden Rapids at the Big Pool at least once!
Float along the lazy river, speed down one of the slides, or get your tan on at Hays Aquatic Park.
Race you to the Green Monster, a 54-inch tube slide that drops nearly 320 feet, at Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park. This is what summer dreams are made of.
Relax the day away in the slow, winding lazy river...You deserve it! McPherson Water Park has everything you need for a perfect summer day.
9. Riverside Beach Family Aquatic Center (Independence)
I've never been brave enough to try the water bowl...Have you? But even if you aren't a thrill-seeker, this waterpark is the perfect place to cool off and have fun. Riverside Beach Family Aquatic Center is an underrated gem.
10. Salt City Splash Aquatic Center (Hutchinson)
Salt City Splash Aquatic Center is a true oasis on the (hot and humid) plains!
Have you been to any of the best waterparks in Kansas? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you know another must-visit summertime hot spot, nominate it for a chance to be featured.
For more fun in the sun, check out these summer destinations in Kansas.
These hand-picked 25 must-haves for 2025 will help make your year a memorable one.
These hand-picked 25 must-haves for 2025 will help make your year a memorable one.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
We’ve been resting and gearing up for 2025 and we hope you’ve been able to do the same. With a new year comes a fresh start and a fresh perspective on what you want to get out of the next 12 months. We, of course, hope to travel, but we also want to focus on anything that simplifies and slows life down a bit or just brings joy to our day.
With this in mind, we’ve hand-picked 25 must-haves for 2025 that each accomplish these goals in some way. We hope you enjoy this list and find a thing or two that helps to make it a memorable 2025!
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I am all about self-care these days, and you can certainly make your own self-care set with the following products you can find on Amazon:
You can also create a self-care package for a friend or loved one with these products. Believe me, they will love it!
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Safety is so important when traveling, so add an extra layer of protection with these portable door locks. They are easy to install and will make you feel even safer in your vacation rental or hotel room. You can also use them at home.
Keep your car clean with a cordless portable car vacuum. I have one and it certainly makes cleaning up crumbs, pet hair, and other messes a breeze. And with its LED light, you can easily clean low-light areas.
If you really want to make your life easier, invest in an air fryer. It makes cooking super fast and easy. Our Hand-Picked editor, Andrea, uses hers daily as well!
For those who love style on the go, here's the perfect outfit for a day trip adventure or a flight:
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How about a year of exploring our National Parks as well as sites managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service? The annual America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is the perfect gift for any adventurer.
For you National Parks lovers out there, having these keepsake glasses at home are a great way to remember your trip. Choose from the 15 most popular National Parks. On each glass is the park's establishment date, a fun fact, and the chronological number it was established as a National Park. Sold separately, buy one or buy them all!
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Take a look at these must-haves for your 2025 adventures no matter how extreme they are:
Which of these products are you most excited about? Any of them will make your 2025 an even better year!
Want recommendations for great travel products and adventure gear delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for our weekly Hand-picked by Only In Your State newsletter to get the first peek at our favorite items (and some great deals)!
Summer in Kansas means a number of fun things. Great fireworks shows, fun cookouts, wonderful festivals, and, of course, plenty of heat. If you're looking for a great way to cool off this summer, grab the whole family and head to one of the many amazing water parks in Kansas. These are the perfect places to indulge in a bit of fun so you don't spend the summer vegging out on the couch! Here are a few of our favorites:
Splash Cove is located at the Jim Allen Aquatic Center and is designed to be the perfect little splash zone for kiddos. There's a 350-gallon conch shell that splashes down on those underneath, plus an instructional pool, a water slide, mini wave pool, and more. It's such a fun spot for young children, and definitely worth a visit!
Parrot Cove Water Park is a bit different than most of the spots on this list because it's open all year thanks to its indoor setting. With 36,000 square feet, there's a ton of room to spread out, and a variety of attractions for kids and adults alike. There are water slides, a wading pool, a rock climbing area, and more here. It's one of the best things to do in southwest Kansas, no matter what the weather is outside.
Adventure Bay is a fun little water park with tons of activities for families. There's a children's pool with slides, plus lap pools and a family activity pool. It's great for little ones and adults alike, and a perfect way to escape the heat on a warm day.
fiberglass water park equipment Looking for fun things to do in summer in Wichita? Splash Aqua Park is a wonderful option. This fun inflatable park has floating cabanas for rent and a sandy beach to enjoy if you're not a fan of actually being in the water. Life jackets are provided for all visitors, and food trucks are often on site. You can also bring your own food and drink, but note that glass containers are strictly prohibited.