As the largest city in the province of Alberta, Calgary offers plenty of ways for families to beat the summer heat. Water parks provide hours of entertainment for visitors of all ages with thrilling water slides, splash areas, wave pools, and more. If you’re looking for the top water parks in Calgary to take the kids to, there are several excellent options to consider.
Wild Rapids Indoor Water Park
Housed right inside the Palace Casino, Wild Rapids Indoor Park was the first of its kind in Canada with over 90,000 square feet of wet and wild excitement. It has two floors with a massive glass dome that lets the sun shine in while keeping the weather out. This park is open all year round so you can enjoy the thrills no matter the season. Some of the top features at Wild Rapids include:
- Master Blaster uphill water coaster takes you racing down at 40 km/per hour before blasting you back up!
- Treetop Challenge Ropes Course with suspended obstacles and wires for added adventure.
- Massive 25,000-foot wave pool that mimics the ocean with crashing surf.
- Indoor/outdoor hot tubs.
- Two family change rooms and kids spray zone.
- Sandy Beach area with lounge chairs for the parents to relax.
With dedicated toddler areas, a menu of food and drinks plus arcade games, you can easily spend an entire day at Wild Rapids having an absolute blast.
Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park Calgary
As western Canada’s largest outdoor water park, Wet ‘n’ Wild stretches across 20 acres in the southwest area of Calgary. It has something for every age and skill level from mild cruising on the Lazy River to extreme plunges down the Kamikaze slides. Some of Wet n Wild’s attractions include:
- Sky Screamer looping body slides.
- Python Plunge – Calgary’s tallest, free-fall speed slide at over 55 km per hour!
- Family raft rides like Mammoth Falls, Storm Chaser, and Boomerango.
- Splashdown plunge slides.
- Kiddie Playland toddler zone.
- FlowRider artificial wave for surfing and body boarding action.
- White lightning slide you can rocket on mats or tubes.
- Oasis activity pool with spray toys and water basketball hoops.
- More than 100 private cabanas to relax under.
With life-sized dinosaur displays, Wet ‘n’ Wild blends water park fun, rides, and a prehistoric Jurassic theme for cool summer memories.
Aquatic Springs Indoor Waterpark Resort
If you want to take the family getaway a step further, Aqualta Springs is Canada’s only waterpark destination resort. Connecting directly to the water park is a luxury hotel and bunkhouse with spacious suites and fun-themed rooms equipped with Xbox and waterslides! You can enjoy the park any hour of the day without even going outside. Key experiences at Aqualta Springs include:
- 4-story jungle gym and tube slides in Kidz Klubhouse.
- FlowRider surf simulator.
- The AquaLoop rocket capsule launches you through a vertical drop into freefall at speeds over 60 km per hour!
- Foam adventures on the blob jump into a lake of suds.
- Rock climbing wall and basketball hoops.
- Large patios with BBQs, hot tubs, and firepits.
- Complimentary breakfast with each night booked at the resort.
With over 25,000 square feet of slides, pools, and adventures, Aqualta feels like a cruise ship on land focused entirely on aquatic excitement and relaxation for the whole family to enjoy.
Surf Splash Waterpark
Centrally located right in the Tuscany community, Surf Splash caters to both young kids and thrill-seeking teens with something for every age. Dive into beach entry wave pools, twisting body flumes, mini golf, and more during a summertime visit. Favorite features at Surf Splash Calgary include:
- The Green Monster Bowl – plunge the giant toilet bowl waterslide!
- Activity lagoon and toddler spray park.
- Over 50-meter-long mat racer slides.
- FlowRider for continuous surfing action.
- The Cliffhanger straight freefall speed slides from daring heights.
- Full concession stands, locker rentals, and private cabanas.
With birthday party rooms, Surf Splash Waterpark provides smile-inducing aquatic adventures everyone can take part in together.
Other Notable Water Parks
Beyond the main waterparks already covered, Calgary families have some extra options for cooling off including:
Shawnessy Aquatic and Fitness Centre – Fun leisure and lap pools plus a 132-meter water slide nicknamed The Anaconda.
Southland Leisure Centre – Large wave pool, slides, diving boards, steam room, hot tub, and toddler spray park.
Village Square Leisure Centre – Calgary’s original water park with indoor/outdoor areas, swirl slide, and surfing on the FlowRider.
Shouldice Aquatic Centre – Outdoor park open in summertime with slides, diving board, toddler play areas, concession stand, and sports fields.
With many waterparks and aquatic centers to pick from, Calgary sets you up to make a splash no matter which part of the city you are staying in.
Best Water Parks for Young Kids and Toddlers
When it comes to little ones 5 and under, Calgary’s water parks have several dedicated splash zones tailored especially for young children:
Wild Rapids – Treehouse Kids Spray Play Structure with smaller slides and climbing areas.
Wet ‘n’ Wild – Kiddie Playland with mini slides and interactive spray toys.
Aqualta Springs – Kidz Klubhouse multi-level structure perfect for toddlers.
Surf Splash – Separate spray park and beach entry areas for little tykes.
Shawnessy Aquatic Centre – Beach-style leisure pool with sprinklers and bubblers for babies.
For parents with infants and pre-schoolers, these zones allow the kids to splash safely under watch while bigger kids enjoy the main attractions.
Top Tips for Visiting Calgary Water Parks
To make the most out of your water park visits around town, keep these tips in mind:
Arrive Early – Get to the parks right when gates open to beat crowds and lines for popular slides. This maximizes your time to hit everything.
Hydrate – With all the swimming and wave action, bring your bottle to refill often so everyone avoids dehydration.
Reapply Sunscreen – Remember to coat back up every few hours to prevent painful burns.
Check Height Requirements – See each park’s rules so little kids don’t get disappointed trying slides too big.
Map Out a Plan – Study park maps beforehand and make a plan to attack your must-do rides right away before lines pile up.
** BYOF** (Bring Your Food) – Save money by bringing snacks, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks which are allowed to keep energy and funds up.
Planning takes your Calgary water park experience to another level so you don’t waste time figuring out where to go next.
Insider Tips for Saving Money at Calgary Water Parks
Beyond buying discounted online tickets when available or looking for coupon codes, there are a few other tricks to trim costs at Wild Rapids, Wet n Wild, and other Calgary waterparks:
Purchase Multi-Day Passes – If planning to visit parks more than once over the summer, multi-day tickets offer discounted entry.
Visit During Spring or Fall – Crowds thin out during shoulder seasons allowing discounted rates.
Arrive Later in the Day – Parks often slash rates late afternoon since they are open into the evening.
Buy Group Discount Tickets – If going with other families or large groups, bulk discount tickets can trim a few dollars each.
Finding ways to trim admission makes it possible to splurge more on cabanas, food, or extras once inside the waterparks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Calgary Water Parks
Here are answers to some common questions families have about water parks in Calgary:
What’s the best water park in Calgary for teenagers?
Wet ‘n’ Wild and Wild Rapids offer more thrill rides catering to teens whereas places like Shouldice focus more on families and young children.
What water park has the biggest wave pool?
Wild Rapids has the largest wave pool in Calgary at 25,000 square feet with surf-worthy waves.
Do you need water shoes for the parks?
Water shoes are not mandatory but are recommended to avoid hurting your feet on rough surfaces and prevent slippery falls.
Can adults go without kids?
Yes, many thrill-seeking adults and college kids enjoy hitting the parks without any children in tow.
Do the indoor water parks stay warm enough?
Yes, Wild Rapids and Aqualta Springs maintain a comfortable 84°F year-round so guests stay cozy and warm even when it’s freezing outside during Canadian winters.
What’s a good age to start taking babies to water parks?
Kids under 2 years old won’t be able to enjoy most slides but there are still splash zones and attractions to entertain infants and 1-year-olds in moderation.
No matter what questions you may have, the water parks around Calgary aim to provide helpful info so families make the most out of their visits.
Where to Stay Near Top Water Parks in Calgary
To fully immerse your family trip in aquatic fun, staying right at connected resort hotels like Aqualta Springs gives you the most water park access. But if looking for alternative areas to book hotels near prime waterparks, these communities put you close to the action:
Hotels by Wild Rapids – Palace Casino area
Hotels by Wet ‘n’ Wild – Southwest Calgary near Woodbine
Hotels in Tuscany – Close to Surf Splash Waterpark
Hotels in Marlborough – Near Shouldice Pool
Checking the exact proximity of hotel locations to the water park you want to focus on ensures the shortest drive time so you can spend more hours splashing in the pools versus the car.
Beat the Heat at Calgary’s Best Water Parks
When sunny Calgary weather heats up, cool down with a visit to the city’s top water parks like Wild Rapids, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Aqualta Springs resort. Thrilling waterslides, surfable wave pools and zones tailored for little tykes ensure hours of smiles across generations. Take advantage of discounted tickets and plan your attack to maximize all the aquatic adventures Calgary’s water parks have to offer all summer long!
