Splish Splash is a 96-acre water park in Calverton, New York, on Long Island. Founded by Tony Gentile and Chip Cleary, it opened to the public in May 1991 and has grown into the largest water park in the New York tri-state area, drawing crowds from across Long Island and the greater New York City metro area each summer.
The park has changed hands over the decades, operating under Palace Entertainment from 1999 until 2025, when Herschend Family Entertainment acquired it as part of a larger purchase of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. attractions from Spanish parent company Parques Reunidos. In 2009, Travel Channel ranked Splish Splash the third-best water park in the United States, cementing its reputation as one of the East Coast’s premier splash destinations.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Calverton, New York
- Opened: May 1991
- Size: About 96 acres
- Water Slides: About 30
- Pools: 3
- Current Owner: Herschend Family Entertainment
- Notable Ranking: Travel Channel’s 3rd-best U.S. water park (2009)
Rides and Attractions
Splish Splash packs about 30 water slides and three pools into its 96 acres, ranging from family-friendly lazy rivers to thrill-oriented drops. Signature attractions have included Dinosaur Falls, Alien Invasion, Hyperlight, Dragon’s Den, Mammoth River, and the wave pool Kahuna Bay, along with body slides like Bombs Away and Shotgun Falls.
One standout is Bootlegger’s Run, billed as New York’s first water coaster, which uses linear induction motors to propel raft riders uphill as well as down. Other long-running favorites, Hollywood Stunt Rider and Riptide Racer, round out a lineup built for both families and adrenaline seekers looking to cool off on hot Long Island summer days.
A Long Island Summer Tradition
Splish Splash operates seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, serving as a staple summer destination for Long Island and New York City families. Its scale and variety helped it earn recognition as the tri-state area’s largest water park and a top national ranking from Travel Channel in 2009.
Ownership changed again in 2025 when Herschend, operator of parks such as Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, completed its acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. portfolio, bringing Splish Splash into a nationwide family of attractions while keeping its Calverton location and seasonal traditions intact.
Explore more: Explore more Water Parks.
Splish Splash FAQs
Where is Splish Splash located?
Splish Splash is located in Calverton, New York, on Long Island.
When did Splish Splash open?
Splish Splash opened to the public in May 1991.
Who owns Splish Splash now?
Herschend Family Entertainment has owned and operated Splish Splash since completing its 2025 acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. attractions.
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Photo: Railroadwiki / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.