Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles is the water park that started it all — the original Hurricane Harbor, opened in Valencia in 1995 and later copied at Six Flags properties across the country. Sitting on 22 acres right next to Six Flags Magic Mountain, it’s the go-to spot for cooling off after a morning of coasters or for a standalone splash day on its own.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a visit: how hours and ticket pricing work, parking tiers, every major slide and its height requirement, the bag and food policy, cabana rentals, and the park’s history and recent 30th-anniversary renovation.
Quick Answer
Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles is a separately gated water park in Valencia, CA, next to Six Flags Magic Mountain. It opens seasonally, roughly late May through early fall, with single-day tickets typically starting around $49 when booked online in advance. Admission is separate from Magic Mountain unless you buy a combo ticket or hold a qualifying membership.
Hours and Seasonal Calendar
Hurricane Harbor runs on a seasonal schedule rather than being open year-round. In recent seasons the park has opened in late May and run into early September, with weekend-only days bookending the calendar and daily operation during the peak summer stretch. Gates commonly open around 10 or 10:30 a.m. and close in the early evening, with later closing times on the busiest summer weekends and holidays.
Because the calendar and daily hours shift from week to week — and Six Flags sometimes closes the water park for maintenance on a weekday even in-season — always confirm the exact date and operating hours on the official Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles page before you drive out. The same site’s calendar and hours tool is the only reliable source once a specific trip date is locked in.
Tickets and Pricing
A single-day Hurricane Harbor ticket starts at roughly $49 when purchased online ahead of time, which is consistently cheaper than paying at the gate; exact pricing varies by date and demand, climbing on weekends and in peak summer weeks. The water park ticket is separate from Magic Mountain admission — it does not include rides at the adjacent theme park.
Combo tickets covering both Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor are sometimes sold, and Six Flags memberships and season passes frequently include water park admission plus perks like free general parking and merchandise discounts, so it’s worth comparing a single-day ticket against a membership if you plan to visit more than once in a season. Buy through the official Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles site to get current pricing and any date-based discounts.
Parking
Parking is a shared surface lot used by both Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, sold in standard (general), preferred, and front-gate tiers that get progressively closer to the entrance for a higher price. As with tickets, it’s cheaper to reserve parking online in advance rather than pay at the gate on arrival, and members or season pass holders often get general parking included at no extra charge.
The lot fills up fastest on summer weekends, so arriving close to opening isn’t just about beating slide lines — it also means a shorter walk from your car to the gate.
Rides, Slides and Height Requirements
The signature ride is Tornado, a ProSlide funnel raft attraction that drops riders from about 75 feet through an enclosed tunnel before spinning them through a giant funnel bowl; it requires a 48-inch minimum height. Black Snake Summit, a 75-foot tower of enclosed speed slides, and Bonzai Pipelines, trapdoor body slides launched from capsules at around 40 mph, also carry a 48-inch minimum, as does Taboo Tower, the spiral-chute and steep-drop combo that’s been part of the park since it opened in 1995.
Not every attraction requires a tall rider. Lost Temple Rapids, a 560-foot group raft ride through whitewater, has a 42-inch minimum, and Splash Island’s family slides require 36 inches. River Cruise, the park’s lazy river, the Lizard Lagoon hangout area, and the Forgotten Sea wave pool don’t require a minimum height to get in — Six Flags instead requires guests under 48 inches to wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket and stay within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian. Castaway Cove runs the other way: it’s capped at a 54-inch maximum, making it a dedicated play area reserved for younger kids under that height. Across the park there are more than 25 slides and attractions, so plan for a mix of thrill slides and family-friendly areas depending on who’s in your group.
Bag Policy, Food and Lockers
Outside food, beverages, and coolers aren’t permitted inside Hurricane Harbor, with exceptions for documented dietary needs, food allergies, and baby food or formula — coolers still aren’t allowed even for those exceptions, and guests should check in with Park Security or Guest Relations at the gate for approval. If you’d rather bring your own lunch, there’s a picnic area in the parking lot you can use before or after your park visit.
Day-use lockers come in small, large, and family sizes for stashing phones, wallets, and towels while you ride. Clear bags and small drawstring bags are generally the easiest to carry through the gate; leave large backpacks and hard coolers in the car.
Cabanas and Seating
For a home base by the water, the park rents private cabanas for small and larger groups, with standard and premium tiers in locations including the newer Cabana Cove area — premium options typically add upgraded furniture, a personal safe, and a refrigerator. Cabana rental doesn’t include park admission, and cabanas are offered first-come, first-served, so it’s worth booking early in the day, either online in advance through the official Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles site or at the park right when you arrive.
Outside of cabanas, the 2025 renovation added expanded shaded seating around the park, which helps on hot afternoons when uncovered lounge chairs near the wave pool fill up fast.
History and Recent Changes
Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles opened June 16, 1995, on the site of Mystic Lake, a Magic Mountain water feature that was drained after the 1994 season to make room for construction. It launched the entire Hurricane Harbor brand, which Six Flags later rolled out to other cities nationwide.
The park has grown well past its original lineup since then, adding the funnel raft ride Tornado in 2004 and the launch-capsule slides Bonzai Pipelines in 2014, while keeping early attractions like Taboo Tower and the wave pool in place. Ahead of its 30th anniversary, Six Flags closed the park after the 2024 season for a renovation and reopened it May 24, 2025, with new splash-pad features, refreshed slide areas, and expanded shaded seating. It’s a reminder that the lineup here isn’t static — Six Flags has periodically refreshed slides and surrounding areas rather than leaving the 1995 layout untouched.
Tips for a Better Visit
Arrive close to opening, especially on summer weekends — tube and lounge chair availability near the wave pool and lazy river thins out fast once the park fills up. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends throughout the season, and shoulder-month weekends in late spring and early fall are quieter still.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and reapply after every ride, since most of the day is spent in and out of water, and wear water shoes if you plan to spend time on sun-heated pool decks. If you’re combining a Magic Mountain and water park day, build in a midday break at Hurricane Harbor to cool off rather than saving it for the end of the day when lines and crowds peak.
Rub-on sunscreen that fits in a pocket — reapply in the queue without greasy hands on the lap bar.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Keeps your phone strapped to you, not in a loose-article bin. Zip it before the lift hill and walk straight off the exit ramp.
Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles FAQs
When is Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles open?
It runs on a seasonal schedule, typically opening in late May and closing in early September, with weekend-only days in the shoulder months and daily operation during peak summer. Check the official Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles calendar for exact dates and hours before you visit.
Is Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles included with Six Flags Magic Mountain admission?
No. It’s a separately gated water park with its own ticket. You’ll need a Hurricane Harbor ticket, a combo ticket covering both parks, or a qualifying Six Flags membership or season pass to get in.
How much is parking at Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles?
Parking is shared with Magic Mountain and sold in standard, preferred, and front-gate tiers, with prices rising for spots closer to the entrance. Booking online in advance is typically cheaper than paying at the gate, and members or season pass holders often get general parking included.
What is the height requirement for Tornado and the other big slides?
Tornado, Black Snake Summit, Bonzai Pipelines, and Taboo Tower all require a 48-inch minimum height. Lost Temple Rapids requires 42 inches, and Splash Island’s family slides require 36 inches. Castaway Cove is capped at a 54-inch maximum for younger kids.
Can I bring food or a cooler into Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles?
Outside food, drinks, and coolers aren’t allowed inside, except for documented dietary needs, allergies, or baby food/formula — and coolers still aren’t permitted even for those exceptions. There’s a picnic area in the parking lot for guests who want to bring their own food before or after their visit.
How do I rent a cabana at Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles?
Cabanas can be reserved online in advance through the official Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles site or booked at the park on arrival. They’re offered on a first-come, first-served basis and don’t include park admission, so it’s best to book early in the day.
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