Deep River Water Park
Deep River Water Park
4
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
About
Deep River Waterpark opened in 1995..expanded in 2005...opened the KRAKEN in 2017 and is now Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan and the Chicagoland's Largest! We feature activities and rides for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents! At Deep River Waterpark you'll find family affordable rates, packages, group discounts, lodging packages, Birthday Parties and more...please check our website for all info. We're open from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. During the winter people can "Skate the Plaza"!
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2 within 5 kms
Attractions
39 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
133 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
55
Average
13
Poor
8
Terrible
9
Angel K
1 contribution
Jun 2019 • Family
This is the first time my family went without food and I will never do it again!!!! I’ve worked in fast food and understand a backup, but damn they are only staff by teenagers who are their to make a quick buck over the summer. It’s crazy that you are expected to wait like an hour at the pizza place, 40 minutes at the funnel cake, and at the cafe(good luck). Long lines at food but not at the slides. It’s ridiculous. You wait like most of the day in those lines. Food gets backed up and cashiers still take orders. This one black kid(his name started with an ”A” I think) was the only one preparing food. Like what? Tell your cashiers to take a max of ten orders at a time, and when there is a back up. Stop and help to make food. That black kid had to make drinks and get the food in order. It’s ridiculous. My food was subpar and overpriced. I feel bad for that kid! The slides and pool were fun, but I’m bringing my own food next time. Also I couldn’t even tip the kid, he was doing his best. WTF this is crazy man. I wanted to fight those people who were standing around not helping! It was frustrating. Long story short bring a cooler with enough food for the day and don’t order if the line is long! Also wait for your order. Twelve times people left for 20 mins and held up the line. Good slides, but the Food service was subpar.
Written 14 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LauraAgardy
60 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Gross. I hate all water parks. Humans are trash and we ruin everything. Waterparks are bacteria breeding grounds filles with screaming children that shouldnt be allowed in public and people who have clearly no grasp on basic hygene or respect for others. Enjoy your screaming soggy crapfest. Thstll be a no from me
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marisol P
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
I purchased tickets for the Taylor Swift event at the park and had to cancel due to Covid and tried to get a refund but they said no refunds are given. Nor do they give a credit to use for future days. Don't waste your money. I was willing to travel over an hour to get there. But not anymore.
Written 5 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim L
Kentland, IN16 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Find a better water park. This place is in need of work. Lazy River has cracks at bottom your feet can be stuck. Filthy never cleaned. Slides have gaps scratching your back. Use caution
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah C
Fairborn, OH17 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
My husband, 6 of our kids, and I had a great time! We purchased the package that includes Dippin’ Dots and drinks/refills, which were definite bonuses. Our kids range in age from a very timid nine year old to adventurous teens, and everyone found something to do that they loved. There are areas in need of some TLC such as the peeling floor of the wave pool, but that didn’t bother us much at all. The staff were all super friendly and super helpful. We will definitely be back!
Written 22 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ezraiam
michigan7 contributions
On our way to Chicago from Detroit, we were looking for some fun for the kids. Six Flags' reviews speak for themselves. Well, we spotted this place just off I-94, barely out of the way going to Chicago. My wife thought it would be nothing special. Hah! It was great! Plenty of activities for my 3 year old, my 9 & 10 year olds and several for ME - things my kids were not yet ready for... I had a great time. With coupons I got on the web site, I paid $75 for 5 people -- a fraction of what I would have paid at an amusement park. My only complaint is my sunburn...
Written 21 July 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephencjames
Winona Lake, IN1 contribution
The Good:
Deep River Water Park is a great attraction for the entire family. My wife and I went with my mother-in-law and our two nephews (ages 4 and 10). We all were able to find several attractions that suited us. First of all the Courthouse kids pavilion was a kid's wonderland. It has lots of levels with all sorts of water-powered gizmos that make it fun and exciting. There are fun traps the kids can spring on each other that unleash a torrent of water on the unsuspecting (all in clean fun) along with a huge bucket of water at the top that pours down tons of water every minute or so. Two big slides start at the top, and the entire pavilion is accessable to parents, so you can play along with your kids.
The bowl slide is a particularly unique and fun ride for adults (although my 4 year old nephew was brave enough to ride as well). It shoots riders down a surprisingly fast tunnel on a tube where they are soon shot into a toilet bowl type area that sloshes you around a few times before flushing you down a shorter tube into a pool below. This was truly one of the funnest and most unique water rides I have ever been on (and I consider myself a water park enthusiast).
Other adult slides include The Dragon (the typical slide that's extremely steep and goes straight down), The Abyss (a complex of 3 pitch dark tubed rides), and White Water (a largish tubed ride that works well with doubles). Outside of the Bowl Ride described above (which gets 5/5 stars) the other adult rides get about 3/5.
Along with the kids' pavilion described above, there are plenty of things for the younger kids to do. My 4 year old nephew found the main Courthouse style pavilion a little overwhelming at points, but there is a smaller, more tame, water based jungle gym on the other side of the park. He found that one much more enjoyable, and there was a beach area with actual sand nearby.
The wave pool was fairly nice for a park the size of Deep River Water Park, and they left the waves turned on more than most parks do.
The grounds are well spread out. It's a nice sized outdoor park that's well laid out. It's clean and well maintained. There's plenty of seating and picnic tables all around, but if you want something in the shade then you'll have to get there early and claim a spot.
We went on a Wednesday at the beginning of August, and the lines were not bad at all. The first 2 hours when it opened and the final hours before it closed we were waiting in line less than 3 minutes for all the rides. The middle afternoon hours tend to have the highest volume and we waited up to 15-20 minutes for some of the rides.
The Bad:
For some reason they're a bunch of Nazis about wearing t-shirts on the rides, which is a bad thing, because the joints of the rides aren't very smooth and burn your back a bit when you go over them. EVERYONE at the park had red marks on their backs because of it. They allow you to wear a shirt if it is made out of the same material as Under Armer. I suggest you get one of these and wear it on the body slides if you go. While the pain is not unbearable, it is not pleasant.
The tubes for the main rides are in short supply and you have to wait in line to get one before you wait in line to get on the ride. You usually don't have to wait long, but still, it is very annoying. I'm pretty sure it's a ploy to get you to shell out an additional $5 to rent a tube you can keep with you for the whole day. Give me a break!
I feel like they need to add another unique adult slide to keep the adults more entertained. Outside of the Bowl Slide the other adult rides are pretty good, but the same-ol'-same-ol' after awhile. This is the one reason why they got knocked down to a 4/5 instead of a 5/5.
Overall this was a really great experience, and I'm even thinking about getting season's passes next summer if the price is right. I would recommend this park to anyone.
One more thing I might add, don't bring any glass (bottles, objects, etc). They check the coolers thoroughly when you enter and will make you take any glass back to your car if you have it. I think this is a good idea since everyone is walking around barefoot, but it's inconvenient to have to go all the way back to your car.
Deep River Water Park is a great attraction for the entire family. My wife and I went with my mother-in-law and our two nephews (ages 4 and 10). We all were able to find several attractions that suited us. First of all the Courthouse kids pavilion was a kid's wonderland. It has lots of levels with all sorts of water-powered gizmos that make it fun and exciting. There are fun traps the kids can spring on each other that unleash a torrent of water on the unsuspecting (all in clean fun) along with a huge bucket of water at the top that pours down tons of water every minute or so. Two big slides start at the top, and the entire pavilion is accessable to parents, so you can play along with your kids.
The bowl slide is a particularly unique and fun ride for adults (although my 4 year old nephew was brave enough to ride as well). It shoots riders down a surprisingly fast tunnel on a tube where they are soon shot into a toilet bowl type area that sloshes you around a few times before flushing you down a shorter tube into a pool below. This was truly one of the funnest and most unique water rides I have ever been on (and I consider myself a water park enthusiast).
Other adult slides include The Dragon (the typical slide that's extremely steep and goes straight down), The Abyss (a complex of 3 pitch dark tubed rides), and White Water (a largish tubed ride that works well with doubles). Outside of the Bowl Ride described above (which gets 5/5 stars) the other adult rides get about 3/5.
Along with the kids' pavilion described above, there are plenty of things for the younger kids to do. My 4 year old nephew found the main Courthouse style pavilion a little overwhelming at points, but there is a smaller, more tame, water based jungle gym on the other side of the park. He found that one much more enjoyable, and there was a beach area with actual sand nearby.
The wave pool was fairly nice for a park the size of Deep River Water Park, and they left the waves turned on more than most parks do.
The grounds are well spread out. It's a nice sized outdoor park that's well laid out. It's clean and well maintained. There's plenty of seating and picnic tables all around, but if you want something in the shade then you'll have to get there early and claim a spot.
We went on a Wednesday at the beginning of August, and the lines were not bad at all. The first 2 hours when it opened and the final hours before it closed we were waiting in line less than 3 minutes for all the rides. The middle afternoon hours tend to have the highest volume and we waited up to 15-20 minutes for some of the rides.
The Bad:
For some reason they're a bunch of Nazis about wearing t-shirts on the rides, which is a bad thing, because the joints of the rides aren't very smooth and burn your back a bit when you go over them. EVERYONE at the park had red marks on their backs because of it. They allow you to wear a shirt if it is made out of the same material as Under Armer. I suggest you get one of these and wear it on the body slides if you go. While the pain is not unbearable, it is not pleasant.
The tubes for the main rides are in short supply and you have to wait in line to get one before you wait in line to get on the ride. You usually don't have to wait long, but still, it is very annoying. I'm pretty sure it's a ploy to get you to shell out an additional $5 to rent a tube you can keep with you for the whole day. Give me a break!
I feel like they need to add another unique adult slide to keep the adults more entertained. Outside of the Bowl Slide the other adult rides are pretty good, but the same-ol'-same-ol' after awhile. This is the one reason why they got knocked down to a 4/5 instead of a 5/5.
Overall this was a really great experience, and I'm even thinking about getting season's passes next summer if the price is right. I would recommend this park to anyone.
One more thing I might add, don't bring any glass (bottles, objects, etc). They check the coolers thoroughly when you enter and will make you take any glass back to your car if you have it. I think this is a good idea since everyone is walking around barefoot, but it's inconvenient to have to go all the way back to your car.
Written 6 August 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theresa K
Knox, IN58 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
Family went here last year on there opening. I understand it's going to be busy but this place was ridiculous. The pools were over crowded with folks. I couldn't see the water. The lazy river was water lodge. Tubes getting stuck and people just, jump on a float to get ahead of the line. Looking for a float good luck. Because there isn't much. Long lines and rude employees. No help was given when asked where the lockers were. We asked and she said " somewhere over there " Then we get to the several childern's areas. THEY DON'T CARE! The water went way over my two year olds head and adults without todders were playing in this area because it wasn't crowd. Then we took our eight year old to the larger kid area. Too many adults cutting in line. I was starting to get upset. My son has Autism. He was waiting and trying his hardest just to stay in line and wait his turn. The line was long he got up to take his turn when four people went head and pushed him. The employee just stood there not saying a word. Then two adults went. My husband ran passed everyone and got our son. We quickly got our things and left. When we got home I called the park in which they put us on hold. Never came back to the phone they hung up on me. I wrote them several times till this day they never return my call. The toddlers area isn't for toddlers its for who ever, the mid childerns area is over crowded with rude teens and adults, and you have dirt/leaves/grass and miscellaneous crap in the water. If truly want a great water park experience please try and go to the Dells. Stay at one of there resorts or Blackhawk Hotel or Ambers Hideway. Trust me we go no all the time. MY FAMILY WILL NOT RETURN TO THIS SEWER!
Written 19 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NeednSun
Indiana522 contributions
Jun 2013
This used to be a decent place but over he past few years it started attracting a rough crowd. The past two times I've gone fights have broken out multiple times. People no longer watch their kids because they're too busy pushing and shoving to get theirselves to the front of lines. Profanity is abundant. Not the kind of environment I'll continue to bring my children to. Sad what its become.
Written 30 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeff l
Crown Point, IN31 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
if you like swimming with little kids pooping in there diapers next to you, then this is the place for you -- lazy river of septic.
Written 19 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry no, insurance company frowns on people in bare feet and charcoal...
Written 14 August 2019
Always check out website for all rate info...prices over a season will vary from $8 - $28. Sorry, Trip Advisor will not let us post links for you to go to.
Written 14 August 2019
Do they have height restriction on water slides? If I go I wanna make sure my daughter will be able to go on slides.
Written 8 June 2016
Cindy H
Wabash, Indiana
We are coming for my granddaughters birthday. I am in a wheelchair and unable to do any of the slides what will it cost for me to be there as a observer?
Written 24 July 2015
I hope you were able to go and enjoy your granddaughter's birthday!
I would have called ahead to see if they are able to make it affordable since you would not be in the water.
Written 27 July 2016
Showing results 1-7 of 7
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing