Water Country opened on June 20, 1984, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and has grown into New England’s largest water park. Spread across roughly 26 acres just off Interstate 95, the park draws families from across the Seacoast region and beyond each summer with a lineup of slides, pools, and a lazy river.
Whether you’re mapping out a first visit or trying to nail down hours, ticket options, or what you can bring in, this guide covers the practical details alongside the park’s ride lineup and four-decade history.
Quick Answer
Water Country is a 26-acre water park at 2300 Lafayette Road in Portsmouth, NH, open seasonally from early June through Labor Day weekend, typically with a 10 a.m. opening. It has 18 water attractions, including a 700,000-gallon wave pool and a lazy river, plus single-day tickets, season passes, and tiered on-site parking. For exact daily hours and current prices, check the official Water Country website, since both change through the season.
Stats at a Glance
Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire (2300 Lafayette Road) | Opened: June 20, 1984 | Size: About 26 acres | Attractions: 18 water attractions | Wave Pool: Giant Wave Pool, about 700,000 gallons | Owner: Herschend Family Entertainment | Distinction: New England’s largest water park.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Tickets & Parking
Water Country runs a typical water-park calendar: weekends starting in late May or early June, then daily operation from mid-June through Labor Day, with the season closing in early September. Daily hours generally fall in the 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. range but shift by date and weather, so always confirm the day you’re planning to go on the official calendar and hours page before you leave home.
Tickets are sold as single-day admission (with online advance-purchase discounts that are typically cheaper than buying at the gate) and as season passes in multiple tiers, which add perks like discounted parking, cabana rentals, and return visits. Pricing is usually broken into adult, junior (under 48 inches), and senior (65+) rates, with children 2 and under admitted free. Because rates and season-pass tiers change year to year, use the official tickets and season pass page for current prices rather than relying on older figures floating around online.
On-site parking is split into a general lot and a preferred lot closer to the entrance, with accessible spaces available for vehicles with a state-issued placard or plate. Parking is paid separately from admission, so factor it into your visit budget and check the official site for the current rate, since it can vary by day of the week.
Slides and Attractions
Water Country’s slide lineup includes Dragon’s Den, Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror, Hyperlight, Racing Rapids, and The Plunge, offering everything from twisting enclosed tubes to high-speed racing mats. The Adventure River lazy river and family-oriented zones like Tahiti Treehouse and Pirate’s Lagoon round out the park for younger visitors and those looking for a slower pace.
At the center of the park sits the Giant Wave Pool, billed as New England’s largest, generating rolling surf for guests to bob and splash in. Between the wave pool, the lazy river, and the mix of thrill and family slides, the park is designed to give visitors of nearly every age group something to do. Height and swim-ability requirements vary by slide and are posted at each attraction, so first-time visitors with young kids should expect to check signage ride by ride.
What to Bring: Bag & Food Policy
Water Country allows outside food and drinks, but asks guests to keep it to one soft-sided cooler or bag, generally within a roughly 16-by-16-inch size limit, since bulkier items like grills, chafing dishes, and crockpots aren’t permitted inside the gates. Glass containers, alcohol, and sharp items are prohibited. Guests who bring larger coolers can leave them in the car and use the picnic tables located in the parking lot, or make return trips as needed.
For young children or non-swimmers, the park makes Coast Guard-approved life jackets available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge, which is worth knowing if you’d rather not pack your own.
Getting There
Water Country sits just off Interstate 95 in Portsmouth. From I-95, take Exit 5 toward the Portsmouth Traffic Circle, then follow Route 1 South for roughly 3 miles to reach the park at 2300 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801. That I-95 access is a big part of why the park pulls visitors from across the Seacoast, greater Boston, and southern Maine each summer.
History and Ownership
Water Country was founded by the Samuels family and opened its gates in 1984, quickly becoming a fixture of summer life on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. In 2000, the park was sold to Festival Fun Parks, whose portfolio was later folded into Palace Entertainment, the U.S. arm of Spain-based Parques Reunidos.
In March 2025, Herschend Family Entertainment, the company behind Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, acquired Palace Entertainment’s U.S. attractions, bringing Water Country under the same ownership umbrella as sister parks like Lake Compounce and Story Land. Park operations have continued largely unchanged through the transition. Along the way, the park refreshed its branding, retiring its original polar bear mascot Patches (who moved on to Lake Compounce) in favor of a new mascot, Spruce the Moose, introduced in 2024.
Water Country Portsmouth NH FAQs
When did Water Country open?
Water Country opened on June 20, 1984, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Who owns Water Country now?
Water Country is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment, which acquired the park in March 2025 as part of its purchase of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. attractions. Before that, it was owned by Festival Fun Parks starting in 2000.
How big is Water Country, and how many attractions does it have?
The park covers about 26 acres and features 18 water attractions, including slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river, making it New England’s largest water park.
What are Water Country’s hours?
The park generally opens around 10 a.m. and runs on a seasonal schedule from early June through Labor Day, with weekend-only operation in late May and early June and daily operation in peak summer. Exact daily hours change through the season, so check the official hours page before visiting.
How much are Water Country tickets and parking?
Water Country sells single-day tickets (cheaper online in advance than at the gate) and multi-tier season passes, plus separate general and preferred parking. Because prices change by season and promotion, the official tickets page is the best source for current rates.
Can you bring in outside food and coolers?
Yes. Water Country permits one soft-sided cooler or bag of food per group, generally within about a 16-by-16-inch limit, while glass, alcohol, and bulky cooking equipment are not allowed. Picnic tables are available in the parking lot for larger spreads.
Does Water Country provide life jackets?
Yes, Coast Guard-approved life jackets are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis for children and non-swimmers.
How do you get to Water Country from I-95?
Take I-95 to Exit 5, head toward the Portsmouth Traffic Circle, then follow Route 1 South for about 3 miles to 2300 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
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