20+ Awesome Outdoor Waterparks Near Omaha
In 2023, Fun-Plex unveiled the newest additions to its waterpark: Two nearly-vertical drop waterslides. First off, nope. Not going down those. But secondly, it made me realized I hadn’t really been paying attention to outdoor waterparks near Omaha in recent years. So, inspired that realization, I decided to grow my original list of water parks to a mega list of aquatic centers and waterparks within a four-hour drive of Omaha. These are day trip or weekend trip-worthy water parks.
UPDATE: This post was first published in 2022, and has been updated in May 2026 with this season’s opening dates of each water park.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Outdoor Waterparks Near Omaha
Gather your beach towels and sunscreen. Here’s a look at the closest waterparks to Omaha, with a breakdown on the cool features of each and the price of admission.
Cost:
- $ – under $10 per person
- $$ – $10-$20 per person
- $$$ – $21-$30 per person
- $$$$ – More than $30 per person
Zorinsky Pool
Where: 3808 S. 156th St.
Distance from Omaha: Within city limits
What to expect: Zorinsky Pool is one of the Omaha public pools still open this late into summer. Which is a good thing, since it has a few extras that families love. Enjoy two large waterslides, plus kids’ water structure with a huge dumping bucket and a little slide.
The pool at Zorinsky opens for the season on June 1, 2026. Hours are: Monday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. It will close at 5 p.m. on July 4 and at 4 p.m. on July 30.
Cost: $
Pirate Cove Water Park
Where: 915 N. 21st St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: About 10 miles
What to expect: Another public pool with some extra perks, Pirate Cove is a pirate-themed pool with two slides, a pirate ship with a little slide, and a sand play area. Pirate Cove is open for the 2026 season. The hours are Monday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Cost: $ (it’s $1 more to include the slides)
Fun-Plex
Where: 7003 Q St., Ralston, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: 15 minutes
What to expect: Fun-Plex has the metro’s largest waterpark, with several slides including Shipwreck Chutes, a dual-slide set to open this summer. There’s also a wave pool, lazy river, a small pool for younger kids, and a large spray structure. Fun-Plex is open for the 2026 season.
Fun-Plex is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours reduce in mid-August to only weekend openings. The park is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
Cost: $$$$ (includes both waterpark and rides; it is cheaper to go after 4 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays). Also, it’s cheaper to purchase admission tickets online than at the gate.
Looking for indoor waterparks?
Perhaps you want to stay at a hotel with an indoor waterpark or you just want a day in the water without the sun. Check out my round-up of indoor waterparks!
Gretna Crossing YMCA Primetime H2O Zone
Where: 12358 S. 208th Ave., Gretna, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 20 miles
What to expect: Gretna Crossing YMCA’s Primetime H2O Zone opened in 2024 to a lot of fanfare. There are water slides (and toddler slides), as well as a lazy river, and zero-depth entry pool. Opening date is May 26, 2026.
It’s open daily from noon to 7 p.m. until mid-August when the hours adjust to Saturday and Sunday only. On the Fourth of July, it will be open from noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: $$ (you don’t need to be a YMCA member to go to this pool)
Papio Bay Aquatic Center
Where: 815 E. Halleck St., Papillion, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 20 minutes
What to expect: Papillion’s Papio Bay is a small aquatic center, so less water park thrills and more like a public pool with some frills. There are two water slides in the main pool and a children’s butterfly slide. There’s also a sand play area.
Papio Bay is open for the 2026 season. The hours are:
- Monday: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: Noon to 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Thursday: Noon to 6:30 p.m.
- Friday: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Note: Papio Bay will close at 5 p.m.on July 4.
Cost: $
Two Rivers Water Park
Where: 414 S. 18th St., Plattsmouth, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 20 minutes
What to expect: Two Rivers Water Park is a large public pool with a spiral slide and a short, speed slide. Great for younger families, the pool has a zero-depth entry. There are a couple of large umbrellas for shade, including two located in the zero-depth area of the pool.
The 2026 pool season is May 30 through Aug. 9. It’s open daily until Aug. 9 from noon to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. On Aug. 9, the pool will be open from noon to 5 p.m. followed by Doggie Day from 6 to 8 p.m. The pool will be closed at 5 p.m. on some nights for swim meets, as well at 4:45 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
Cost: $
Platte River State Park
Where: 14421 346th St., Louisville, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 35 minutes
What to expect: Platte River’s water attraction is definitely more sprayground than waterpark since there is no actual pool. There are a few slides for small kids and a large water bucket for drenching a crowd. It’s much more appealing for families with younger kids than those with only older kids.
The spray-ground opens for the season on Memorial Day. The hours are daily from noon to 6 p.m. Starting mid-August, the spray-ground is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: $ (valid Nebraska State Park entry permit also required)
Mahoney State Park Aquatic Center
Where: 28500 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: 30 miles from Omaha
What to expect: Mahoney is one of the Nebraska’s mast popular state parks, making its aquatic center one of the state’s busiest. And for good reason: There’s a wave pool, two large slides, a regular pool, and a fun kid’s water area with a dump bucket. The aquatic center added three new slides in the summer of 2024.
The aquatic center typically opens for the season on Memorial Day Weekend and is open daily. Hours are reduced in mid-August. There’s usually an hour closure in the late afternoon before it re-opens again for a few more hours. Check the schedule.
Cost: $$ (valid Nebraska State Park entry permit also required)
Splash Station
Where: 2809 Fremont Drive, Fremont, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 40 minutes
What to expect: Fremont’s Splash Station caters to the whole family with a combo lap pool and wave pool, two large waterslides, an interactive train slide for kids, and Hydro-Storm. Plus, there’s a splash pad and water walk. The Splash Station is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The season starts on May 30.
Cost: $
Steinhart Aquatic Center
Where: 121 S. Steinhart Park Road, Nebraska City, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 45 minutes
What to expect: Impressive for a city-managed pool, the Nebraska City aquatic center adds water slides and a lazy river to the more traditional city pool amenities like diving boards. There’s also a zero-depth entry pool, and a small slide for younger swimmers.
The pool opens for the season on May 25. It’s open daily from 1 to 8 p.m., with a few exceptions when the pool closes at 5 p.m. on a couple Wednesdays for swim meets.
Cost: $
Star City Shores Aquatic Center
Where: 4375 S. 33rd Court, Lincoln, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: 1 hour
What to expect: Star City Shores another great public pool with some added frills, including a zero entry pool, interactive water features, waterslides, climbing structures and a sand play area. It’s open for the 2026 season.
Cost: $
Pawnee Plunge Water Park
Where: 560 33rd Ave., Columbus, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: 1 hour and 35 minutes
What to expect: Pawnee Plunge is home to the state’s only FlowRider (a surf machine), but also has other big draws including four huge water slides (including a swirl bowl waterslide), a lazy river, climbing wall, interactive ship for kids, a spray area, and a regular swimming pool.
Pawnee Plunge is open for the 2026 season. The hours are Mondays through Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and on Fridays through Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. It will also be open on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July from noon to 7 p.m.
Cost: $
Ponca State Park
Where: 88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 2 hours
What to expect: One of the newest aquatic centers to open at a Nebraska Statte Park, Ponca’s center has a heated, zero-depth entry pool, 172-foot long water slide, climbing wall, diving board, and spray features. There’s also pool basketball and volleyball.
Nebraska State Park aquatic centers typically open over Memorial Day Weekend. It’s open daily from noon to 6 p.m. until mid-August, and then hours are reduced to weekends only.
AquaVenture
Where: 715 S. First St., Norfolk, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 2 hours
What to expect: The water park has several draws including a wave pool, water slides, and zero-depth entry to the pool. Kids will also like the play station, water cannon, and water walk. There’s also a regular pool with diving boards.
AquaVenture is open for the 2026 season. It’s open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $
Island Oasis Water Park
Where: 321 E. Fonner Park Road, Grand Island, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 2 hours and 15 minutes
What to expect: This water park has a huge, 350,000-gallon wave pool plus a lazy river. There are six water slides, including two that are six stories tall. There’s a children’s area that’s zero-depth entry with spray fountains and a small slide. Additional features include a sand play area, lily pad crossing, and a log walk.
Island Oasis opens at May 30, 2026. Regular hours are Mondays through Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m., and Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. The pool closes on Aug. 10.
Cost: $
Adventure Bay
Where: 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: About 2 hours and 10 minutes
What to expect: The Iowa water park has two claims to fame: It has Iowa’s largest wave pool and Iowa’s longest lazy river. There’s a lot to do at this water park besides those two, though, including several water slides, a splash pad and kid’s play area, and more.
Adventure Bay is open for the 2026 season. They’re offering a new evening event series this summer called Neon Nights, running on Fridays and Saturdays from July 10 to Aug. 15.
Cost: $$$$ (includes admission to Adventureland)
Siouxnami Waterpark
Where: 770 Seventh St. NE, Sioux Center, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 20 minutes
What to expect: This an a year-round activity center that happens to have a pretty sweet indoor and outdoor aquatic center. Outside, the pool has a climbing wall and the Iowa’s only aqua zipline. There are also three water slides and a lazy river. The outdoor waterpark opens June 1, 2026.
Cost: $
King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort
Where: 1520 East Lakeshore Drive, Storm Lake, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 20 minutes
What to expect: King’s Pointe Resort has two waterparks (one is indoors), featuring five slides and a lazy river. As a bonus, King’s Pointe is located next to a swimming beach on the lake. The outdoor water park opens May 29, 2026.
Cost: $$
Aquacourt Water Park
Where: 2200 W. Third St., Hastings, Neb.
Distance from Omaha: About 2 hours and 25 minutes
What to expect: Aquacourt Water Park is a public pool with extra attractions like a couple slides, a wave pool and a lazy river. There’s also a splash spray ground for little kids, zero-depth entry pool, and log rolling. The water park is open for the 2026 season. Its hours are noon to 7 p.m. through August.
Cost: $
Oceans of Fun
Where: 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
Distance from Omaha: 2 hours and 50 minutes
What to expect: When the tropical-themed water park in Missouri opened in 1982, it was the largest in the world. It’s still pretty impressive with more than a dozen of water slides (many at the thrill-ride level); a huge wave pool; Coconut Cove, Splash Island and Paradise Falls for kids; and a great lazy river. Oceans of Fun is open for the 2026 season.
Cost: $$$$ (includes admission to Worlds of Fun, as well)
Marshalltown Aquatic Center
Where: Marshalltown, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: About 2 hours and 50 minutes
What to expect: Marshalltown Aquatic Center is a spiffy public pool with water slides, a lazy river, and a separate zero-depth entry pool. The 2026 season runs June 8 through Aug. 16. It’s closed on July 4.
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 1 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 1 to 6 p.m.
Cost: $
The Waterfront at Bridges Bay Resort
Where: 630 Linden Drive, Arnolds Park, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: 3 hours and 15 minutes
What to expect: If you go to the Lake Okoboji in the summer, expect to spend time at the lake. But if you’re staying at Bridges Bay Resort, your kids will also want to hang out at the water park. There are three slides and a swim-up bar.
The resort’s indoor water park, Boji Splash, is the big draw, though, and has spray ground, pool, whirlpool, and a 500-gallon dump bucket. The outdoor pool area typically opens the Saturday before Memorial Day, weather permitting. It is open for the 2026 season! The 2026 outdoor pool hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are a couple dates the pool will close early this year, so check the website before solidifying plans.
Cost: $$$
Beach Ottumwa
Where: 101 Church St., Ottumwa, Iowa
Distance from Omaha: About 3 hours and 25 minutes
What to expect: This Ottumwa water park has three slides, a 300,000-gallon wave pool, and a children’s play area with slides and interactive water features. You an also head indoors where there’s a pool and another slide. The indoor pool is open year-round; the outdoor pool is also open for the 2026 season. Hours are from noon to 7 p.m. daily.
Cost: $
Lost Island Water Park
Where: 2225 E. Shaulis Road, Waterloo, iowa
Distance from Omaha: About 4 hours
What to expect: You can spend an entire day at Lost Island with its 11 large waterslides, four kids areas, a wave pool, and a large, tropical lazy river. The water park opens for the season on June 5, 2026.
Cost: $$$$ (buy online to get the best price)
