Raging Waters Sacramento brought 25 water attractions to 20 acres of the Cal Expo fairgrounds at 1600 Exposition Blvd in Sacramento, California. The site first opened in 1980 as WaterWorld USA before cycling through several operators — including Premier Parks and Six Flags Waterworld from 2003 — before Palace Entertainment rebranded it Raging Waters Sacramento when it took over the lease in May 2007.
Palace Entertainment closed the park in November 2022, citing COVID-19 pandemic losses that had rendered the facility unprofitable. In 2023, California Dreamin’ Entertainment signed a new lease with Cal Expo, announcing plans to demolish and rebuild the site as CaliBunga Waterpark with a target reopening in 2027. However, Cal Expo terminated that lease in February 2026 after the developer fell more than $200,000 behind on payments, leaving the Sacramento site vacant as Cal Expo sought new proposals.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Cal Expo, Sacramento, California
- Address: 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815
- Originally Opened: 1980 (as WaterWorld USA)
- Became Raging Waters: May 2007
- Closed: November 2022
- Size: 20 acres
- Attractions: 25 water rides
- Lazy River: 800-ft Calypso Cooler
- Operator: Palace Entertainment (2007–2022)
Standout Rides and Attractions
The Cliffhanger was the park’s headline thrill — a pair of 60-foot dual-racing free-fall body slides that sent riders plunging side by side before splashing down at speed. Equally dramatic was Splashdown, drop-out slides that ejected riders into a deep plunge pool. The Shark Attack Slide Complex and Dragon’s Den ProSlide CannonBowl rounded out the thrill offerings.
Families gravitated toward Treehouse Reef, a multi-story interactive water playground packed with slides and spray features. The 800-foot Calypso Cooler lazy river offered a gentler pace, while Breaker Beach — billed as Northern California’s original wave pool — delivered ocean-style surf to a landlocked city.
Four Decades, Four Names
The Cal Expo water park operated under four distinct identities across more than four decades. Launched as WaterWorld USA in 1980, it was rebranded Six Flags Waterworld in 2003. Six Flags terminated its lease after the 2006 season, and Palace Entertainment stepped in to reopen the site in May 2007 as Raging Waters Sacramento.
Palace Entertainment closed the park in November 2022. California Dreamin’ Entertainment subsequently signed a lease to rebuild the 20-acre site as CaliBunga Waterpark — a separate project from its same-named park that opened in San Jose on July 4, 2024. Cal Expo terminated the Sacramento lease in February 2026 after California Dreamin’ fell into arrears, and the site’s future remains uncertain.
Explore more: Water Parks.
Raging Waters Sacramento FAQs
When did Raging Waters Sacramento first open?
The water park site opened in 1980 as WaterWorld USA. It officially became Raging Waters Sacramento in May 2007 when Palace Entertainment assumed the lease after Six Flags departed following the 2006 season.
Why did Raging Waters Sacramento close?
Palace Entertainment terminated its Cal Expo lease in November 2022, stating that COVID-19 pandemic closures and restrictions had left the park unable to turn a profit over the previous seasons.
Is the Raging Waters Sacramento site still a water park?
Not yet. After Raging Waters closed in 2022, California Dreamin’ Entertainment signed a lease to rebuild the site as CaliBunga Waterpark by 2027. However, Cal Expo terminated that lease in February 2026 due to nonpayment of over $200,000. As of early 2026, the Sacramento site is vacant and Cal Expo is seeking new development proposals.
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Photo by Sean P. Twomey on Pexels.