The 3 Best Outdoor Water Parks in New Hampshire: Fun in the Sun for the Whole Family
New Hampshire is a beautiful state with a lot of natural beauty and resources. One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors in New Hampshire is by visiting one of the many outdoor water parks in the state. These parks offer a wide range of water-based activities and attractions that are perfect for families, groups of friends, and individuals of all ages.
What’s the best outdoor water park in New Hampshire?
The best outdoor water parks in New Hampshire are Whale’s Tale Water Park in Lincoln, Castaway Island at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, and Water Country in Portsmouth.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day by the pool or an adrenaline-pumping adventure on a water slide, there’s an outdoor water park in New Hampshire that’s perfect for you. From the White Mountains to the Lakes Region and beyond, these parks are scattered throughout the state, making them easily accessible from anywhere in New Hampshire.
If you live in the Northeast of New Hampshire, you may find that there area some outdoor water parks in Maine that are actually closer to you than the ones on our list. Similarly, if you live in the south, check out our list of the best water parks in Massachusetts.
Top Outdoor Water Parks in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is home to several outdoor water parks that offer thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and other exciting attractions. Here are some of the best outdoor water parks in the state:
Whale’s Tale Water Park
Located in Lincoln, Whale’s Tale Water Park is a family-friendly water park that offers over a dozen water slides, a wave pool, adventure river, and a splash pad for younger children. The park also features a hot tub and a lazy river that winds through a picturesque mountain landscape.
Attractions
Whale’s Tale Water Park is one of the best outdoor water parks in New Hampshire. The park boasts a wide range of water attractions that are suitable for all ages. Visitors can enjoy the park’s signature wave pool, where they can ride the waves or relax on the beach. The park also has a variety of water slides, including the Poseidon’s Voyage, which is a thrill ride that takes riders through a series of twists and turns before dropping them into a pool below.
In addition to the water attractions, Whale’s Tale Water Park also has a dry park area with attractions like mini-golf, a climbing wall, and a bungee trampoline. Visitors can also enjoy the park’s zip line, which takes them high above the park for a thrilling ride.
Dining
Whale’s Tale Water Park has a variety of dining options to choose from. The park has several food stands and snack bars located throughout the park, offering everything from pizza and burgers to ice cream and funnel cakes. Visitors can also bring their own food and drinks into the park, or they can rent a private cabana and have food delivered to them.
Where To Stay
We recommend staying at River Walk Resort at Loon Mountain, just a short 6-minute drive away from Whale’s Tale Water Park. Parents will love the on-site winery, and kids will love the outdoor pools and tubs.
Castaway Island at Canobie Lake Park
Canobie Lake Park in Salem is a popular amusement park that also features a water park. The Castaway Island section of the park has a variety of water attractions, including a wave pool, water slides, and a lazy river. The park also has an arcade and several dining options.
Attractions
The park has a wave pool, a family raft ride, and a variety of water slides, including a speed slide and a bowl slide. There is also a kiddie pool area for younger children to enjoy.
Dining
There are several dining options available within the water park, including a snack bar and a restaurant. Guests can purchase burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and other classic amusement park fare. There are also plenty of beverage options, including soda, lemonade, and slushies.
Where to stay
There are several great losing options near Canobie Lake Park. The Holiday Inn Salem is less than 2 miles away from the park, AND your booking at the hotel comes with two free tickets to the water park as well as breakfast for two.
Water Country
Located in Portsmouth, Water Country is the largest water park in New England. It has been entertaining families for over 30 years and is a great spot to cool off during the hot summer months. The park has over 25 water attractions, including wave pools, water slides, and an adventure river. There is also a splash area for younger children and several dining options.
Attractions
Water Country has a wide variety of attractions for all ages. For thrill-seekers, there are rides like Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror, Double Geronimo, and the Black Hole. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there are attractions like the Adventure River, the Wave Pool, and the Lazy River. There are also plenty of attractions for younger children, such as the Tahiti Treehouse and the Bubble Bay.
One of the newest attractions at Water Country is the Thunder Falls & Wild Canyon. It features two new water slides that are sure to get your heart racing. The Thunder Falls slide is a 40-foot drop that takes you through twists and turns before ending in a splash pool. The Wild Canyon slide is a 50-foot drop that takes you through a dark tunnel before emerging into a giant funnel.
Dining
Water Country has several dining options, including a snack bar, a pizza stand, and a grill. There are also plenty of shaded picnic areas throughout the park where you can enjoy your own food and drinks. One of the most popular dining options at Water Country is the Shark Bite Cafe. It offers a variety of food and drinks, including burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and frozen treats.
Where to stay
The Hampton Inn Portsmouth Central is about 5 miles from Water Country. While it’s not the closest hotel to the park, it’s by far the most affordable in the area.
Whether you’re looking for thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, or wave pools, New Hampshire has several outdoor water parks that offer something for everyone. These parks are great options for families looking for summer fun in the White Mountains or along the Seacoast.
Once you’ve spent your summer enjoying all of New Hampshire’s best water parks and the days get cool again, fret not! Your water park doesn’t have to end! Head on over to your neighbor state and visit some great indoor water parks in New York for year-round fun!
Best New Hampshire Water Parks Comparison Chart
| Water Park | Location | Signature Attractions | Dining Options | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whale’s Tale Water Park | Lincoln | Poseidon’s Voyage, Wave Pool, Lazy River | Food stands, snack bars, private cabanas, BYO food/drinks | River Walk Resort at Loon Mountain |
| Castaway Island | Canobie Lake | Wave Pool, Family Raft Ride, Water Slides | Snack bar, restaurant | Holiday Inn Salem |
| Water Country | Portsmouth | Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror, Thunder Falls | Snack bar, pizza stand, grill, Shark Bite Cafe | Hampton Inn Portsmouth Central |
Conclusion
In conclusion, New Hampshire is a state with an abundance of natural beauty and resources, and one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is by visiting one of the many outdoor water parks in the state.
These parks offer a wide range of water-based activities and attractions suitable for people of all ages. Some of the best outdoor water parks in the state include Whale’s Tale Water Park, Castaway Island at Canobie Lake Park, and Water Country.
Visitors can enjoy thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and other exciting attractions, along with a variety of dining options. With these water parks being scattered throughout the state, visitors can easily access them from anywhere in New Hampshire.