Tired of sitting indoors to beat the heat and humidity this summer? Make the sticky season cooler by taking the entire family to one or two water parks in Michigan and the midwest.
This list includes metro Detroit water parks in Michigan, and a few attached to larger “destination” water parks elsewhere in the state and even in Canada, Ohio and Wisconsin (many are hotels with indoor water parks in Michigan, making them great for vacations).
A few public swimming pools in southeast Michigan are also included — if they offer bigger water features like cool slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, etc. Some parks do have splash features for little ones. However, for a complete list, visit our roundup of spray grounds and splash parks in Michigan and beyond.
Blue Heron Bay Spray Park at Independence Lake County Park
Ride the two large water slides, play on a water structure and splash in the water jet spider, cattails and buckets — plus soak your friends with the water cannons. Amenities include first-aid services, family changing rooms, diaper changing stations, showers and more. Individual and family annual passes are available.
Cedar Point Shores
- Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio
Slide down the massive Portside Plunge or relax in Lemmy’s Lagoon at the 18-acre water oasis. With plenty attractions for adults and kids alike and within Cedar Point amusement park, Cedar Point Shores does not disappoint.
Crystal Mountain’s Park at Water’s Edge
This one-acre outdoor water playground features a 4,200-square-foot pool complete with water cannons and bubbling spouts, water basketball, an outdoor hot tub and more.
East Lansing Family Aquatic Center
- Address: 6400 Abbott Road, East Lansing
Cut loose on a 190-foot tube water slide, 140-foot body water slide, wet and dry play areas, drop slide, frog slide and more. Picnic areas and a concession area accommodate appetites and you can lounge on a large sunbathing deck. Tykes can enjoy the splash park that has zero-depth pool entry, water spouts and structures.
Flash Flood Water Park at Full Blast
- Address: 35 Hamblin Ave., Battle Creek
Features two 200-foot outdoor water slides, zero-depth entry pools for the little ones and a small water playground where tykes can run beneath spouts, geysers and stand beneath dumping buckets.
Lake Erie Metropark Wave Pool
- Address: 32481 W. Jefferson Ave., Brownstown
This wave pool has consistent three-foot waves for riders to cruise on rafts (first-come, first-served). Kids can enjoy the spray area with ground sprays and dumping water features.
Michigan’s Adventure WildWater Adventure Park
Michigan’s Adventure is home to Michigan’s largest outdoor waterpark! Offers 15 water attractions, slides, splash pad; wave pools, a lazy river and more.
Red Oaks Waterpark
This family-friendly waterpark offers a wave pool, triple-flume waterslide, a new children’s Splash Pad with over 50 interactive water features. There is a picnic area with pavilions and concession stand.
Rolling Hills Water Park
- Address: 7660 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti
We love local water parks in Michigan — and this one’s got a wave pool, water slides, zero-depth entry activity pool for kids (with gentle bubbler, geyser, waterfall and kiddy slide), sand play scape, lazy river and two spray grounds. Plus, there’s a big sun deck that, concessions, life jacket rentals and more.
Romulus Aquatic Center
- Address: Romulus Athletic Center, 35765 Northline Road, Romulus
Outside, you’ll find a splash pool with splash pad featuring water geysers, cannons and foaming jets. All ages can enjoy this interactive playscape, which is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Splash ‘n’ Blast at Kensington Metropark
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
This spot has two 240-foot twisted water slides and a cool spray ground with palm trees, serpents and cannons, earning its cred as one of the great outdoor water parks in Michigan. Water slide riders must be at least 42 inches tall. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Troy Family Aquatic Center
- Address: 3425 Civic Center Drive, Troy
This outdoor pool is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It features a main pool with a zero-depth edge, kiddie area with a waterfall, kiddie slide and splash pad and tube and body slides. Also, a sand volleyball area and sand play area.
Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center at Lower Huron Metropark
- Address: 17845 Savage Road, Belleville
Find two water slides, a laid-back lazy river, sunning hill and water play scape with a 300-gallon dumping bucket. Don’t forget the zero-depth entry pool with lap lanes. Top it off with food at Turtle Cove Grille. Ages 10 and under must be accompanied by parent. Definitely high among the cool water parks in Michigan.
Waterford Oaks Waterpark
- Address: 1702 Scott Lake Road, Waterford
This tropical-themed oasis stands out among water parks in Michigan for three-story raft ride. There’s also a kids’ water playground, more than 30 interactive activities, picnic areas, concessions and more.
Wayne County Family Aquatic Center
- Address: 12600 Chandler Park Drive, Detroit
One of the great outdoor water parks in Michigan is over in east Detroit. Boasts the “Way Cool Wave Pool,” plus “Splish Splash Land” for tots. Find an over 15,000-square-foot wave pool, 100 spray fountains, two 23-foot water slides and more. Swim lessons, camps and parties, too.
This post is updated regularly.
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