When it gets so friggin’ hot in Las Vegas you can literally fry an egg on the sidewalk, there’s no more enticing way to beat the heat than splashing around in the pool.
Not fortunate enough to have one in your backyard? No problem. The Valley is graced with a couple of cool amusement water parks and a number of community pools.
Pack up the sunscreen and towels and head out to Wet ’n’ Wild, where more than 25 water rides provide a refreshing escape from the desert’s insufferable dog days of summer.
The 20-acre water park opened in 2013 at 7055 S. Fort Apache Road, replacing Wet ’n Wild on the Strip that was popular among Vegas residents and tourists until it closed in 2004.
According to Wet ’n’ Wild general manager Takuya Ohki, the park draws 300,000 to 400,000 visits during its 130-day season, which runs daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends in April, May and September. Some of the more thrilling rides include the Tornado, which catapults riders to a zero-gravity experience; the Rattler, the first slide of its kind in the United States; and Constrictor, an extreme water slide featuring some of the tightest turns.
Wet ’n’ Wild is offering a fantastic deal for the rest of the summer. Purchase one day’s admission at the regular price of $39.99 and receive a season pass through September.
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Wet ’n' Wild's Tornado slide.[/caption]
Another local favorite is Cowabunga Bay, off U.S. 95 at 900 W. Galleria Drive in Henderson. The 23-acre water park is designed with surf and beach scenes from the 1950s and ’60s, with attractions such as the Beach Blanket Banzai giant water slide, Surf-a-Rama wave pool and Surfin’ USA face-first downhill race.
General admission is $39.99 a day for guests 48 inches and up, and $29.99 for youths under 48 inches.
When you’re at the water parks, make sure you keep a close eye on the kids, especially those between 42 inches and 48 inches in height. Most parents watch their toddlers like a mother hen, but it’s the older children who are most at risk of drowning at a water park, Wet ’n’ Wild’s Ohki says.
Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1-4, and the second-leading cause of accidental death for children under 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 3-year-old and a 6-year-old drowned in separate private pools over Fourth of July weekend in Las Vegas.
“We do provide lifeguards and we go by Southern Nevada Health Department standards, but we really do recommend parents be responsible for their little ones,” Ohki says. “Where parents can get in trouble is when they think their kids can swim, and most of the time, they can’t.”
Wet ’n’ Wild was part of a global event in June to raise awareness of water safety and drowning prevention. More than 36,000 kids and adults in 22 countries participated in setting the Guinness World Record for largest swimming lesson.
Swimming Spots for Every Budget
If water parks are beyond your budget, try these swimming holes, where admission is generally $1 for seniors, $2 for children under 17, and $3 for adults (go to ClarkCountyNV.gov/Parks for info):
Desert Breeze Aquatic Facility, 8275 Spring Mountain Rd., has an 18-lane indoor lap pool and outdoor pool with kids’ play area, shallow-water beach entry, two water slides and splash pads. Kids must be 48 inches or taller to ride the water slides.
Cambridge Water Park, 3930 Cambridge St., has a spiraling water slide, splash pad, picnic area and playground. It’s a part of Cambridge Recreation Center with a skate park, gymnasium and fitness center.
Paradise Water Park, 4775 McLeod Dr., has a large pool with water slides and a playground. It offers swim lessons, synchronized swimming and water aerobics.
Parkdale Water Park, 3200 Ferndale St., has two water slides, one for the little kids and a big, spiraling slide for the older ones. It’s usually a little less crowded than other spots.
Hollywood Aquatic Center, 1550 S. Hollywood Blvd., opened in 2012, serves east Las Vegas and features indoor and outdoor pools, water slides and a lazy river.
Walnut Water Park, 3075 N. Walnut Rd., has two water slides and a splash pad. Swim lessons, water aerobics and special youth programs are offered.
Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club, Highway 160 in Pahrump, opened its Lake Spring Mountain to the public, with day passes sold at $15 for adults and $10 for children. Relax in a 4.5-acre freshwater lake with beaches, swimming, volleyball and a tiki bar. Paddleboards, pedal boats, rafts and kayaks are available to rent.
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