White Water Bay was a water park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that first opened its gates on May 23, 1981 under the name White Water. The park changed hands in 1991 when Premier Parks acquired it and rebranded it as White Water Bay, the name it carried for nearly three decades while becoming one of the region’s go-to summer destinations.
In 2020 the park was rebranded again, this time as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, reflecting Six Flags’ operation of the property. The site continues to run seasonally each year from May through September, offering the same mix of pools and slides that longtime visitors remember from the White Water Bay era, now under new signage and ownership by EPR Properties.
Quick Answer: When Does White Water Bay Open?
White Water Bay first opened to the public on May 23, 1981. The park itself is still around today, but it now operates under the name Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, and it opens for the year on a seasonal basis, typically starting sometime in May and running through September.
Because the exact opening weekend, and the days it’s open early and late in the season, shift from year to year, the most reliable source is always the park’s own calendar rather than a fixed date. See the seasonal hours section below for how that pattern typically works.
The Original Opening: May 23, 1981
White Water Bay’s story began under a different name. It opened as “White Water” on May 23, 1981, making it one of the older water parks in the Oklahoma City area. It operated under that original name for a decade before its first rebrand.
In 1991, Premier Parks acquired the property and renamed it White Water Bay, the identity most Oklahoma City locals grew up with. The park kept that name for nearly 30 years, until Six Flags rebranded it again in 2020.
When the Park Opens Each Year: The Seasonal Pattern
Like most outdoor water parks in a climate with cold winters, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City doesn’t run year-round. It opens for the season in May and closes for the year sometime in September, roughly a four-month operating window built around warm-weather months.
Within that window, the schedule usually follows a familiar shape: weekends-only operation in the first few weeks of the season (May), a stretch of daily operation through the peak of summer (June through early August), and a return to weekends-only as school starts back up in late August and September. Daily opening and closing times also vary by day of the week and time of year, so a Saturday in July can run longer than a Tuesday in September.
Because these dates and hours are set and adjusted each year, the park’s official calendar is the only source that stays accurate. Check the official Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City park hours page before you plan a visit.
The Ride Experience
During its years as White Water Bay, the park built a reputation on a growing lineup of slides and pools suited to families and thrill-seekers alike. Signature attractions that debuted in that era included Big Kahuna, a 542-foot family tube ride that opened in 1995, and the Bermuda Triangle flume rides that send riders through enclosed drops from seven stories up at speeds near 35 mph.
Later additions like Mega Wedgie, a 277-foot speed slide built in 2005 with a 64-foot free-fall plunge, and the wide Typhoon Twister tubing bowl kept the park’s slide count climbing to today’s 14 water slides spread across the property, alongside three pools: a Wave Pool, an Activity Pool, and a Kids Pool.
From White Water Bay to Hurricane Harbor
The park’s identity shifted twice over its history: from the original White Water name in 1981, to White Water Bay after Premier Parks purchased it in 1991, and finally to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City in 2020. Despite the branding changes, the park has operated continuously on the same Oklahoma City site for more than four decades.
Ownership also evolved alongside the name, with EPR Properties holding the property since 2017 while Six Flags Entertainment Corporation runs day-to-day operations, continuing the water park’s long run as one of Oklahoma’s most visited seasonal attractions.
Planning Your Visit
Tickets are sold in a few standard tiers common to Six Flags properties: single-day tickets bought online in advance (usually cheaper than at the gate), season passes for repeat visits across the year, and membership plans billed monthly that can include perks like parking or add-on access to sister parks such as Frontier City. Pricing and current promotions change often, so treat any number you see elsewhere as a starting point rather than the final word.
Parking is available on-site for a separate fee, and gate policies on outside food, coolers, and bags are set by the park and can change season to season. For accurate, up-to-date hours, ticket prices, and visit policies, use the official Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City website as your canonical source before you go.
White Water Bay opening date and hours FAQs
When does White Water Bay open?
The park first opened on May 23, 1981 under the name White Water, before being renamed White Water Bay in 1991. Today, operating as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, it opens for the season each year in May and runs through September, with exact dates and daily hours set annually on the park’s official calendar.
Is White Water Bay still open?
The park is still open, but it now operates under the name Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, a rebrand that took effect in 2020.
What time does the park open and close each day?
Daily hours vary by day of the week and by point in the season, generally shorter on weekdays and longer on weekends and peak summer dates. Check the official park hours page for the current schedule before visiting.
How many water slides does the park have?
The park features 14 water slides along with three pools: a Wave Pool, an Activity Pool, and a Kids Pool.
Who owns and operates the park now?
EPR Properties has owned the property since 2017, while Six Flags Entertainment Corporation operates it day-to-day under the Hurricane Harbor brand.
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