Family Fun at Great Waves waterpark in Alexandria, VA
- Austin Family Adventures
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
A good waterpark day comes down to three things: arriving at the right time, knowing what to bring, and avoiding the small surprises that can turn a fun outing into a hot, expensive scramble.
Great Waves Waterpark in Alexandria, Virginia, checks a lot of boxes for families. It has a wave pool, big slides, smaller slides, a splash pad, a wading pool, and extra attractions nearby at Cameron Run Regional Park. It is also the kind of place where a little planning helps, especially if you are going on a weekend or bringing younger kids.
Here is what to know before you go, including hours, admission prices, slide rules, food options, parking, and the small details that make the day smoother.
Where Great Waves Waterpark is located
Great Waves Waterpark is located at 4001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304, inside Cameron Run Regional Park.
That location is a big part of the appeal. The waterpark is not the only thing on-site. Cameron Run Regional Park also has mini golf and batting cages, so families can build a fuller day around the visit if everyone still has energy after swimming.
Great Waves is also part of the NOVA Parks waterparks system. There are five NOVA waterparks, and annual pass holders can access all five, which may be worth looking into if you plan to visit more than once in a season.
For anyone searching for a Virginia Waterpark, family, friendly enough for mixed ages, Great Waves is a strong option because it has both high-energy attractions and calmer areas for small children.
Great Waves Waterpark hours
The hours depend on the date and day of the week, so timing matters.
From now through August 23, Great Waves Waterpark is open:
Days | Hours |
Monday through Thursday | 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
Friday through Sunday | 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
Starting August 24 through September 4, Labor Day, the schedule changes. The park is closed on weekdays during that period and open weekends only.
Late-season schedule | Hours |
Weekends only until Labor Day | 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
Weekdays from August 24 through September 4 | Closed |
If you are trying to avoid the biggest crowds, weekdays before August 24 are likely the easier choice. Weekend visits can still be a lot of fun, but plan for a busier parking lot, longer waits, and more competition for shaded seating.
Hours can change because of weather, staffing, or seasonal updates, so it is smart to check the park’s current schedule before leaving home.
Admission prices
Great Waves Waterpark has different admission prices for weekdays and weekends. Pricing also depends on height, with children under age 2 admitted free.
Weekday admission
Guest | Price |
Individuals over 48 inches | $17.50 |
Individuals under 42 inches | $14.00 |
Everyone after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays | $11.50 |
Children under age 2 | Free |
The weekday after-4:00 p.m. rate is useful if you only want a shorter visit. It can be a good fit for families with younger kids who may not last a full day in the sun.
Weekend admission
Guest | Price |
Individuals over 48 inches | $19.50 |
Individuals under 48 inches | $16.00 |
Children under age 2 | Free |
Weekend admission costs more, and weekends are also when the parking lot is more likely to fill up. If a weekend is your only option, arriving close to opening time can make the whole day easier.
Parking and arrival tips
Great Waves has a large parking lot, which is a plus. The catch is that it can fill up, especially on weekends.
If you are visiting with kids, coolers, towels, sunscreen, and float gear, an earlier arrival is worth it. You will have a better chance at:
Finding a closer parking spot
Getting shaded lounge chairs
Settling in before the wave pool gets crowded
Avoiding the hottest part of the pavement
The park has umbrellas and shaded lounge chairs available, but like parking, shade can become harder to find as the day gets busier. If having a shaded resting spot matters to your group, treat it as something to secure early, not something to figure out later.
What the waterpark has for kids and adults
Great Waves has a solid mix of attractions, which helps when you are visiting with kids of different ages or comfort levels.
The park features:
A wave pool
A splash pad
Five large water slides
Two smaller water slides
A wading pool
A play area with slides
The wave pool is one of the main draws. It gives older kids and adults something more exciting than a standard pool, while still being easy to enjoy in short bursts. For younger children, the splash pad, wading pool, and play area are the more manageable spots.
The range of attractions is helpful because not every kid wants the same kind of waterpark experience. Some want big slides all day. Others are happiest pouring water, climbing small play structures, or splashing in shallow areas.
Slide rules and height requirements
The large slides have a clear height rule. Guests must be 48 inches tall to go down the larger slides.
The larger slides drop riders into 3 1/2 feet of water, so kids need to be comfortable with that depth and with the landing experience at the bottom. Even if a child meets the height requirement, it is worth watching a few riders first so they know what to expect.
The park also has two smaller water slides, which are a better fit for younger or more cautious kids. These smaller slides help make the park feel less all-or-nothing for children who are not ready for the larger attractions yet.
There are lifeguards throughout the park, which is reassuring, but adults still need to keep close eyes on their own children, especially in the wave pool and around slide exits.
What to bring to Great Waves Waterpark
Packing well makes a big difference here. Great Waves has some supplies available for purchase, but you will save time and money by bringing the basics from home.
A good bag might include:
Towels
Sunscreen
Water bottles
Swim diapers if needed
Water shoes
A change of clothes
Goggles
Hats or rash guards
A waterproof pouch for phone, keys, and cards
You are allowed to bring water bottles into the park, which is helpful on hot days. Plan to drink more water than usual, especially if you are spending several hours in direct sun.
One important point: life vests are not provided. If your child needs one, bring your own. This is not something to leave to chance, especially for toddlers, new swimmers, or kids who want to spend time in the wave pool.
Swim diapers are allowed, so families with babies and toddlers can plan accordingly.
Water shoes are a smart idea
One easy-to-overlook tip: bring water shoes.
The ground can get very hot, especially during peak summer afternoons. Walking from chairs to pools, bathrooms, food areas, or attractions can be uncomfortable on bare feet.
Water shoes are especially useful for:
Younger kids who move slowly across hot pavement
Adults carrying bags or toddlers
Anyone planning to walk between the waterpark and nearby park attractions
Kids who will be in and out of play areas all day
If you forget something, there is a small retail area near the entrance that sells items such as swimsuits, water shoes, goggles, towels, and sunscreen. It is convenient, but it is still better to bring your own must-haves when you can. Check out our waterpark essentials list here: https://a.co/d/06iRjncu
Food, snacks, and the cafe
Great Waves has a small cafe with kid-friendly food and treats. Options include items like:
Ice cream
Pizza
Chicken nuggets
Fries
That is convenient if you plan to stay for several hours and do not want to leave the park for lunch. The cafe menu is simple, which works well for most waterpark days. Kids usually want something quick, familiar, and easy to eat between swim breaks.
Because water bottles are allowed, bring enough water for your group and use the cafe for meals, snacks, or a cool treat. On hot days, ice cream can also double as a much-needed reset when kids start getting tired.
If you have specific dietary needs, picky eaters, or children who snack often, check the park’s current outside food policy before your visit. Policies can vary, and it is better to know before arriving at the gate.
Annual passes and when they make sense
Great Waves offers NOVA waterpark annual passes, and the pass can be a good deal if you plan to visit more than once or want to explore other parks in the system.
Annual pass perks include:
Access to all five NOVA Parks waterparks
5% discount on food, beverage, and retail
Early entry to the waterpark all summer long
Bring a Friend for Free days from 3:00 p.m. to close
The pass makes the most sense for families who live nearby, have flexible summer schedules, or know they will use multiple NOVA waterparks. It can also make shorter visits feel more relaxed. When you have a pass, you do not have to squeeze every minute of value out of a single admission ticket.
If you only plan to visit Great Waves once, daily admission is probably the simpler choice. If you are already thinking about going multiple times, compare the annual pass cost with the number of visits you expect to make.
Best time to visit
For the smoothest experience, aim for a weekday visit before the late-August schedule change. Monday through Thursday hours run from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through August 23, and weekday crowds are often easier to manage than weekends.
If you want a lower-cost visit, the weekday after-4:00 p.m. admission can be a smart move. Everyone pays $11.50 after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, based on the pricing provided. That gives you a shorter window, but it may be enough for families with young kids or locals who do not need a full-day outing.
Weekend visits are best when you can arrive early. The park is open longer on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through August 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but those are also the days when parking and shade are more competitive.
After August 24, remember that the park shifts to weekends only until Labor Day, with hours from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This kind of plan keeps the day flexible while still preventing the common waterpark problems: no shade, overheated kids, forgotten gear, and long lines for everyone’s favorite slide.
Final tips before you go
Great Waves Waterpark is a fun summer stop because it offers enough variety for different ages without feeling overly complicated. The big slides give older kids something exciting, while the splash pad, wading pool, and play area help younger children enjoy the day at their own pace.
The biggest things to remember are simple:
Bring your own life vest if your child needs one.
Pack water shoes because the ground can get hot.
Arrive early on weekends.
Bring water bottles.
Check the current hours before you leave.
Plan around the late-August weekday closures.
Check out our waterpark essentials list here https://a.co/d/01yAPxul before you visit.
A waterpark day does not need to be perfect to be memorable. If you have shade, water, sunscreen, and the right expectations, Great Waves can be an easy and fun summer outing in Alexandria.
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