RI's only water park opens for the summer Saturday. Plus, three options outside the state

Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal
Updated ·2 min read

School’s out. The days are long. Temperatures are in the 80s. It’s time for Rhode Island’s only water park to open for the season.

Yawgoo Valley Water Park opens for the summer season on Saturday, July 1.

Better known for its skiing and snow tubing, Yawgoo’s water park is open through Labor Day Weekend and is a great option for families, especially families with young kids.

The park has two waterslides over 600 feet long, a full-size swimming pool that ranges from three to six feet deep, and a one-foot-deep kiddie pool. Plus, there’s a snack bar.

File photo from Yawgoo Valley Water Park. The state's only water park transitions from ski area to waterslides in the summer.
File photo from Yawgoo Valley Water Park. The state's only water park transitions from ski area to waterslides in the summer.

When is Yawgoo Valley open and what’s the price?

The water park is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

Tickets are sold in hourly increments that can only begin on the hour.

Ticket prices, according to the website, are:

  • $18 for one hour for ages 5 and up; $10 for ages 4 and under

  • $30 for two hours for ages 5 and up; $15 for ages 4 and under

  • $36 for two hours for ages 5 and up; $18 for ages 4 and under

Tickets can be bought on the website or at Yawgoo Valley, 160 Yawgoo Valley Road Exeter.

Summer Bucket List: How to make the most out of summers in Rhode Island

Waterparks within 2-hours of Providence

If you’re willing to drive outside the state, there are other water parks to check out within a two-hour drive of Providence. Here are three to consider:

  • Lake Compounce Amusement & Water Park: Both a water park and an amusement park, Lake Compounce has roller coasters, water slides and water features for all ages and thrill levels from mild to intense. Lake Compounce is also the oldest, continuously operating amusement park in North America, with more than 175 years of summer fun under its belt. Tickets are $60, but you can often get them at a discount. 185 Enterprise Dr, Bristol, Connecticut.

  • Water Wizz of Cape Cod: While Rhode Island doesn’t have a Water Wizz anymore, there is still one in Massachusetts. Billing itself as the largest outdoor water park in Southern New England, they have water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, a lagoon, the list goes on. Tickets are $48 for general admission, $38 for seniors and people under 48 inches tall, and children under the age of 2 are free. 3031 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, Massachusetts.

  • Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park: A different type of water park, Brownstone has swimming, water obstacles, zip lines, cliff jumping, rope swings, wakeboarding, rock climbing, kayaking and paddleboarding. The water obstacles include more than a dozen inflatables to play on. An Adventure Pass costs $49. 161 Brownstone Ave., Portland, Connecticut.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Yawgoo Valley, RI's only water park, opens for summer 2023 on July 1