Water Country USA is a water park located in York County, Virginia, just outside Williamsburg. Opened on June 20, 1984, it bills itself as “Virginia’s Largest Family Water Park” and is owned by United Parks & Resorts, the same company behind neighboring Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
The two parks share a parking arrangement, and multi-day parking passes work at both. Water Country USA is themed around a retro 1950s and 1960s surf culture aesthetic and packs 17 water attractions onto its grounds, from a water coaster and dueling slides to multiple lazy rivers and a large wave pool — plus dedicated zones for younger kids.
Quick Answer
Water Country USA is open seasonally from roughly early May through late September, typically opens around 10 a.m. with closing times that vary by date, and charges separately for parking (general and preferred options) in addition to admission. Single-day tickets, “Any Day” flexible tickets, multi-day tickets, and annual passes are all sold through the official site, and exact prices change throughout the season, so check the official Water Country USA ticket page before you go.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Tickets & Parking
Water Country USA runs a seasonal schedule, generally opening for the year in early May and closing in mid-to-late September, with some attractions closing on individual dates before the full park closes for the season. Daily hours fluctuate by month and day of the week rather than staying fixed all summer, so always confirm the specific date you plan to visit on the park’s hours page rather than relying on a general rule.
Admission is sold in several tiers: a single-day ticket tied to one specific date, a more flexible “Any Day” ticket usable on any operating day within about six months of purchase, multi-day tickets that lower the per-day cost, and annual membership/pass options that include perks like free general parking and bring-a-friend tickets. As of this writing, single-day tickets start in the mid-$50s when purchased online in advance and the flexible Any Day ticket runs closer to $70, though promotions and date-based pricing shift these numbers regularly — the official tickets page is the only reliable source for current prices.
Parking is charged separately from admission. General parking has recently run around $35 at the gate (with a modest discount for booking online ahead of time), preferred parking closer to the entrance costs a bit more, and a multi-day parking pass — valid at both Water Country USA and Busch Gardens Williamsburg for up to seven consecutive days — has run around $65. Guests with an annual pass often get general parking included. Outside coolers, food, and drinks (other than a personal water bottle) are not permitted inside the park, though picnic tables near the parking lot let you eat before or after your visit.
The Ride Experience
Water Country USA’s lineup spans a wide range of thrill levels. The Cutback Water Coaster, which opened in 2019, sends riders through five uphill “flying saucer” sections along a course of more than 850 feet. Vanish Point, added in 2011, is a 75-foot-tall quadruple-speed drop slide complex, while Riptide Race, which debuted in 2023, is a 520-foot dueling slide rising 54 feet. Aquazoid Amped is an 863-foot enclosed raft slide that received an LED lighting refresh in 2022.
Nitro Racer, a six-lane headfirst mat-racing slide that dates back to 1998, was reimagined as Nitro Racer: Supercharged with new lighting, sound effects, and a timed leaderboard so groups can race for bragging rights. Other thrill slides include Colossal Curl, Big Daddy Falls (a whitewater-raft-style ride), and the open flumes Jet Scream, Malibu Pipeline, and Wild Thang, most of which run 400 to 500 feet with drops, twists, and splash landings.
For a slower pace, guests can float along the 1,500-foot Hubba Hubba Highway or the 736-foot Rambling River lazy rivers, or gather with a group at Surfer’s Bay, the park’s signature wave pool, which is advertised as the largest in Virginia at roughly 23,000 square feet with an 8-foot maximum depth.
Height Requirements & Ride Safety
Most family-friendly attractions, the lazy rivers, and the wave pool have no minimum height requirement, though smaller children may be required to wear a provided life vest. The park’s thrill slides are split into two main height tiers: most moderate- and high-thrill slides (including Jet Scream, Malibu Pipeline, and Wild Thang) require riders to be at least 42 inches tall, while a smaller group of the more intense rides — Aquazoid Amped among them — requires riders to be at least 48 inches tall to ride alone, though shorter guests can still ride if accompanied by a supervising companion who is at least 14 years old and meets the ride’s requirements.
Children between roughly 42 and 52 inches are generally allowed on 42-inch-minimum rides only when accompanied by a companion who is at least 14 years old and meets the ride’s height requirement. Exact rules can vary slightly by ride and change season to season, so it’s worth checking height signage at each ride or the park’s ride pages the day you visit if you’re traveling with kids close to a cutoff.
Family and Kids’ Areas
Younger visitors have several dedicated zones, including Cow-A-Bunga, an area with three smaller slides, and the Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad for toddlers. Rock ‘n’ Roll Island adds a shaded oasis with its own slides, an activity pool, and a lazy river loop scaled for younger swimmers.
High Tide Harbor, a multi-level interactive play structure with over 100 water elements including cannons, sprayers, and tipping buckets, replaced the park’s former H2O UFO structure and gives families an updated central gathering spot near the kids’ attractions — useful as a home base if your group splits up between thrill-seekers and younger kids.
Tips for Visiting
Arrive close to opening if you want shorter lines on the marquee slides, since Cutback, Vanish Point, and Riptide Race tend to build waits by midday on warm weekends. Water shoes are worth packing, as the sun-warmed pool decks and concrete pathways can get hot in peak summer.
Because outside coolers aren’t allowed inside, plan to either buy the all-day dining option if you’ll be in the park for several hours, or step out to your car for a packed lunch at the picnic tables near the lot. Locker rentals are available near the entrance for phones, wallets, and other valuables you don’t want to carry on the slides.
Water Country USA FAQs
When is Water Country USA open in 2026?
The park runs a seasonal schedule, generally opening in early May and closing in mid-to-late September, with some rides closing before the full park does. Daily hours vary by date, so check the official hours page for the specific day of your visit.
How much are Water Country USA tickets and parking?
Ticket prices vary by date and ticket type — single-day, flexible “Any Day,” multi-day, and annual pass options are all available — and parking is billed separately, with general and preferred tiers plus a multi-day option shared with Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Because prices change through the season, the official ticket page is the best source for current rates.
Who owns Water Country USA?
It is owned by United Parks & Resorts, which also owns nearby Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The two parks are connected by a shared parking arrangement, and some multi-day and season pass products cover both.
How many rides does Water Country USA have?
The park operates 17 water attractions, including thrill slides, a water coaster, lazy rivers, a wave pool, and dedicated children’s play areas.
What is the height requirement for rides at Water Country USA?
Most thrill slides require riders to be at least 42 inches tall, while a few of the more intense attractions, such as Aquazoid Amped, require riders to be at least 48 inches tall to ride alone — though shorter guests can still ride accompanied by a supervising companion who is at least 14 years old and meets the ride’s requirements. Kids between 42 and about 52 inches can typically ride 42-inch attractions with a qualifying companion age 14 or older.
Can you bring outside food or coolers into Water Country USA?
No — outside food, drinks, and coolers are not permitted inside the park, aside from a personal water bottle or documented dietary/medical needs. Picnic tables near the parking lot let guests eat before or after visiting, or you can step out to a car with packed food during the day.
Is Water Country USA good for toddlers and younger kids?
Yes. The park has several low-key zones built for younger children, including the Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad, Cow-A-Bunga’s smaller slides, Rock ‘n’ Roll Island, and the interactive High Tide Harbor play structure, none of which carry the height minimums required by the thrill slides.
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