Zoombezi Bay is a 22.7-acre water park owned and operated by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio, just north of Columbus. It opened to the public on May 26, 2008, on the site of the former Wyandot Lake Adventure Park, which the zoo purchased in 2006 and redeveloped with roughly $45 million in new investment.
The park blends a traditional water park lineup with a conservation-minded theme tied to its zoo ownership, drawing more than 400,000 visitors in a typical season. Its attractions range from a large wave pool and lazy river to multiple water coasters and slide towers built by manufacturers like WhiteWater West and ProSlide, including the 2025 addition of the Conservation Tower complex.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Powell, Ohio (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
- Opened: May 26, 2008
- Size: About 22.7 acres
- Owner: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- Slides: 17+ water slides
- Annual visitors: Over 400,000
- Wave pool: About 530,000 gallons, waves up to 4 feet
- Notable manufacturers: WhiteWater West, ProSlide
The Ride Lineup
Zoombezi Bay’s signature attractions include Python Plunge, the first Master Blaster Express uphill water coaster built in the U.S. by WhiteWater West, and Big Boa Falls, the manufacturer’s first Boomerango Express half-pipe slide — both opened in 2011. The park’s wave pool, Wild Tides, generates waves up to four feet high, while the roughly 1,500-foot Roaring Rapids lazy river gives families a slower-paced option.
In June 2025, the park debuted its Conservation Tower complex, designed by ProSlide, featuring The Hive (a world-first pairing of 720-degree helix spiral elements), Captina Falls (a racing mat slide starting 51 feet up), and Mussel Mayhem, a Midwest-exclusive halfpipe slide. Each slide takes its name from a local conservation effort the Columbus Zoo supports.
From Trolley Park to Water Park
The land beneath Zoombezi Bay has a long amusement history: it started as Olentangy Park, a Columbus trolley park dating to 1896, before becoming Wyandot Lake Adventure Park in 1984 under Funtime Inc. and later Six Flags. The Columbus Zoo bought the property in 2006 for about $2 million and rebuilt it into Zoombezi Bay, which opened two years later.
Because Zoombezi Bay operates as part of the nonprofit Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, water park admission also grants zoo access, and ticket proceeds support the zoo’s conservation programs — a distinctive combination among U.S. water parks.
Explore more: Explore more Water Parks.
Zoombezi Bay FAQs
Where is Zoombezi Bay located?
Zoombezi Bay is located in Powell, Ohio, just north of Columbus, as part of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium campus.
When did Zoombezi Bay open?
Zoombezi Bay opened to the public on May 26, 2008, on the former site of Wyandot Lake Adventure Park.
Does a Zoombezi Bay ticket include zoo admission?
Yes, admission to Zoombezi Bay also includes access to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and proceeds support the zoo’s conservation efforts.
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Photo by Brian Wolf on Pexels.