Alabama is known for warm weather, so in the state, you’ll find lots of awesome water parks. Spending time outside is fun, but you might overheat if you’re in the sun for too long.
So, visiting a water park is a great way to cool off while still having an action-packed adventure. Water parks are also great for families, which means you don’t have to leave kids behind to have fun.
What is the Biggest Water Park in Alabama?
Point Mallard Water Park is the biggest water park in Alabama at 35 acres. However, Alabama Splash Adventure is the biggest attraction at 200 acres, but only seven acres of the property belongs to the water park area.
A few other water parks come close in size, including Spring Valley Beach at 25 acres, along with Waterville USA and Water World at 20 acres.
How Deep is the Wave Pool at Point Mallard?
While Point Mallard is the biggest water park in the state, a large portion of that space is taken up by a wave pool. Over half the pool is less than three feet deep. It’s thought to be the first wave pool in America, and it takes 400,000 gallons of water to fill it.
At the shallowest end, the wave pool is 140 feet wide, but it narrows to 75 feet wide at the deeper end.
Here are nine of the best water parks in Alabama.
Looking for a fun destination for the whole family? Here are nine water parks spread across Alabama.
#1 – Alabama Splash Adventure
Alabama Splash Adventure in Bessemer is a favorite among Alabama residents. It’s very kid-friendly, with lots of smaller slides and splash pads. But don’t worry, there are plenty of more action-packed attractions too, including dark water slides, a Wipeout Adventure obstacle course, a water maze, and a wave pool with four-foot waves. If you want to do more than just swim, there are also several roller coasters at this park too. If you live nearby, getting a season pass is definitely worth it.
#2 – Point Mallard Water Park
Point Mallard is located in Decatur, and it has everything the perfect water park needs. The “Water Park” attraction at this location is known as the first wave pool in America. It was designed to make you feel like you’re really on a beach, which is why there are so many beach chairs along the shore. At this water park, you’ll also find kid areas, a lazy river, and slides. Yet, this park isn’t just for water activities. It also has other attractions like concerts, golf courses, a campground, and more. You could spend all day there with your family if you wanted.
#3 – Spring Valley Beach
Spring Valley Beach in Blountsville is one of the best water parks in Alabama because it not only has fun water attractions, but also beautiful nature landscapes. It’s only about an hour from Birmingham, and it has 25 acres of fun. It has a massive pool, thrilling water slides, and a kid’s zone. It also has plenty of space for picnics and barbecues on-site, along with a playground for children. Thus, it’s one of the most exciting attractions for all ages.
#4 – Waterville USA
Waterville USA is a 2-acre water park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Like all water parks, it’s known for its exciting slides, but there are plenty of other fun things to do. There’s a lazy river, a wave pool, and a surf simulator. Plus, if you’re looking for more than just water activities, there are lots of other attractions you can do without a swimsuit. There are go-karts, roller coasts, trampolines, and miniature golf. Even if your family disagrees on things to do, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
#5 – Water World
Water World is the municipal water park of Dothan. It’s located in Westgate Park, next to the recreation center. It doesn’t have as long of an attraction list, but it’s beloved for its crystal clear waters. At Water World, you’ll find a huge wave pool, a few slides, and a kiddie pool. It also has a huge deck with lots of chairs and umbrellas to allow the parents to relax if they’d like while their kids play.
#6 – Fayette Aquatic Center
Fayette Aquatic Center is another smaller water park, but it’s still one of the best water parks in Alabama. It’s located in Fayette at the Guthrie Smith Park. It has a large pool in the center that’s 5,380 square feet. It’s perfect for swimming lessons, lap swimming, and water aerobics. It also has a few fun water slides and a river-shaped pool. There’s a concession stand, but you can also bring your own food for a picnic. The smaller setup is ideal for parents who want to be able to see their kids at all times.
#7 – Red Bay Water Park
Red Bay Water Park in Red Bay is made up of four pools of varying sizes. It also has a few small water slides too. This park is owned by the city’s Park and Recreation Department, so it also hosts swim lessons and other classes and events. It’s a common venue for private birthday parties and celebrations. The only downside is that there isn’t any food for sale on-site, so you’ll need to pack your own if you plan to be there for a while.
#8 – Hartselle Aquatic Center
As the name implies, the Hartselle Aquatic Center is the municipal pool of Hartselle. It has a huge pool that kids love to swim around and splash in. There’s also a play area for the kids that spouts water, along with a few water slides and diving boards. There are plenty of chairs for parents to lounge at, including ones that are in the shallow end of the water. Plus, concession stands are available, so you won’t have to worry about packing snacks to fuel your family’s energy.
#9 – Cullman Wellness and Aquatics Center
The Cullman Wellness Center in Cullman has more than just a water park, but visitors love to cool off in the large pool. At this facility, you’ll also find water slides, kiddie areas, a lazy river, and diving boards. Once you’re done swimming, you can enjoy some of the park’s other amenities, such as the exercise equipment and walking track. This pool has food for sale on-site, and it hosts many events throughout the year. It’s a great place for locals to visit regularly.
Is the OWA Building a Water Park?
The park at OWA is a popular amusement park in Foley, Alabama, but sadly it’s not currently a water park. However, the OWA building will be opening a brand new water park area in 2022!
The new water park will include a variety of vibrant attractions, including both indoor and outdoor areas. The plans for the park include a massive wave pool, an indoor lazy river, several water slides, and plenty of beach chairs. So, it’s another water park to add to your future travel plans.
Fun Things to Do in Alabama
If swimming isn’t your thing, there’s no need to fear. There are plenty of other fun activities in Alabama besides just water parks. Whether you visit Mobile, Gulf Shores, or any other city in Alabama, you’re sure to find something for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some ideas.
RV Parks in Alabama
Many people love to travel across Alabama in an RV since there are so many incredible nature sights to visit. Luckily, there are lots of campgrounds and RV parks to travelers to stop at.
Here are a few popular RV parks in Alabama:
- Sugar Sands RV Resort – Gulf Shores, AL
- Mountain Lakes RV Resort – Langston, AL
- Doc’s RV Park – Gulf Shores, AL
- Fort Morgan RV Park – Gulf Shores, AL
- Wales West RV Resort – Silverhill, AL
- Island Retreat RV Park, Gulf Shores, AL
A lot of Alabama’s RV Parks are located right on the water at Gulf Shores. These locations are great for guests who want to visit the beach during their stay. Waterville USA is in Gulf Shores, which is convenient for those seeking water parks in Alabama.
National Parks in Alabama
Water parks can be fun, but sometimes experiencing natural attractions is even more exciting. If you’re looking for a break from the chaos of tourist attractions, then finding a park to explore might be a great alternative.
Here are some national parks in Alabama:
- Little River Canyon National Preserve – Fort Payne, AL
- Russell Cave National Monument – Bridgeport, AL
- Natchez Trace Parkway – Northwest Alabama
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site – Tuskegee
- William Bankhead National Forest – Double Springs, AL
These are just some of the many incredible national parks in Alabama. Any of them could be great opportunities for your family to appreciate nature.
Things to Do in Alabama with Kids
For families with kids, stops on vacations might look a little different. Kids love water parks, but they also enjoy amusement parks, interactive museums, and anything else that allows them to be hands-on.
Here are few great things to do with kids in Alabama:
#1 -Alabama Safari Park (Hope Hull)
This 350-acre safari park is perfect for all ages. Visitors can explore the park in their own vehicles, and they can even pay extra to feed the animals at the park. Some of this park’s animals include giraffes, zebras, and camels.
#2 – U.S. Space and Rocket Center (Huntsville)
For kids fascinated in space, this museum is a dream come true. It’s the largest spaceflight museum in the world, with over 1,500 exhibits related to space and rockets. It also has plenty of simulators so guests can get as close to experiencing space travel as possible.
#3 – Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores)
Gulf State Park has plenty of opportunities for families to go hiking, biking, and swimming. It’s one of the best beaches in Alabama, with clear white sands and water that seems to sparkle.
#4 – Cathedral Caverns (Woodville)
This state park is a natural attraction that’s perfect for adventurous families. You’ll get to go inside a cave, which happens to be one of the caves with the largest entrance in the world. Guided tours run regularly, and many kids love the option to mine for gemstones.
#5 – Rosa Parks Museum (Montgomery)
Learning about history is important even at a young age. This museum has lots of interactive attractions for all ages, including a reenactment of the events on the bus and a “time traveling” experience. Rosa Park’s story encourages children to stand up for what they believe.
Check out an Alabama Water Park!
Water parks are exciting for all ages. So, if you’re looking for something fun to do on a hot day, check out one of these water parks in Alabama. Each one is unique, and they’re stretched across the state. Plus, water parks are a family-friendly activity that all ages can enjoy. So, don’t miss out on the perfect summer attractions in Alabama.
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