Looking for some water adventure this summer? Here are 8 water parks near Rockford
Are you looking for more than just your average swimming pool for a fun outing this summer — something a little more adventurous, maybe?
There are plenty of water adventure parks within range of the Rockford area that are open this year and could be just what you are looking for.
More: Looking for a place to cool down this summer? Check out these 6 pools in the Rockford area
Here is a quick guide to some the most adventurous of water parks around Rockford:
Hurricane Harbor, Rockford
Address: 7820 Cherryvale N. Blvd., Cherry Valley
Highlights: The Tidal Wave is the Midwest’s only tailspin waterslide, and there are six other slides of all sizes. Hurricane Harbor also has a wave pool, a kiddie pool area, cabanas to chill in and much more.
For more, go to: sixflags.com/hurricaneharborrockford
Hurricane Harbor, Chicago
Address: 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee
Highlights: Hurricane Harbor Chicago is a 20-acre water park operated by Six Flags. The park features more than a dozen water rides ranging from a relaxing lazy river to Tsunami Surge, the tallest water coaster in the world.
For more, visit: sixflags.com/hurricaneharborchicago
Crystal Lake RV Park, Rock Falls
Address: 511 East Rt. 30, Rock Falls
Highlights: This is a large lake with a large beach, and plenty of exciting deep-water toys to jump of off, slide down and swing from. This lake is always full of inflatable fun. There are also go-karts, camping and fishing.
For more, go to: crystallakerecreation.com
Coral Cove Water Park, Carol Stream
Address: 849 W. Lies Road, Carol Stream
Highlights: This park has multiple pools as well as a deep-water plunge pool with a drop-slide and diving board, a large walk-in pool, an interactive water playground and a spray-n-playground for the smaller kids.
For more, go to: csparks.org/coral-cove-water-park
Splash Country Water Park, Aurora
Address: 195 S. Barnes Road, Aurora
Highlights: There is a six-lane zero-depth pool, the second-largest lazy river in Illinois, a winding, enclosed tube slide, a winding, open tube slide, an enclosed kid-friendly area with spray guns, waterfall and other features for kids under 48 inches tall, a sand area with seats and more.
For more, go to: splashcountry.info
Stingray Bay Aquatic Center, Huntley
Address: 12219 Lois Lane, Huntley
Highlights: While this is stationed around one large pool, it has three slides that feed into it, as well as plenty of features for all different ages all around the 360-degree pool.
For more, go to: webtrac.huntleyparks.org
Otter Cove Aquatic Park, St. Charles
Address: 3615 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles
Highlights: With six slides, a play park, a splash park, a beach and plenty more, this is a hidden gem when it comes to water fun in the region.
For more, go to: ottercove.org
Raging Waves Water Park, Yorkville
Address: 4000 N. Bridge St., Yorkville
Highlights: Billed as Illinois' largest water park, this spot has 12 waterslide setups, a beach, a wave pool, and a total of 32 attractions to help cool you down this summer.
For more, go to: ragingwaves.com
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years all together.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Looking for water adventure this summer? Check out these 8 places
