Are you bored out of your mind and looking for somewhere fun to go with your friends this summer? Well look no further, because Great Waves Water Park at Cameron Run Regional Park is the place to go.
Let’s face it; the plain old swimming pool can get a little boring, and the only way to get to a beach is through tireless hours of driving. Though you can’t get the ocean feeling of sand between your toes, you can still relish the waves of a wave pool at Great Waves.
Along with the wave pool, the park offers five giant water slides, a shallow pool, two smaller water slides, a water gun/splash zone, batting cages and miniature golf. There is a baby pool and even a new jungle gym that opened up last week, if you’re thinking about bringing your younger siblings along. Cameron Run is pretty close as well, located at 4100 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia.
The price of admission varies. Entrance to the water park only is about $15. There is also an all-facilities pass, which includes the water park, miniature golf, and the batting cages for the entire day, for only three dollars more than the regular admissions price. The water park opens at 11:00 a.m. and closes at 7:00 p.m. every day. The miniature golf and the batting cages are open longer, opening at 10:00 a.m. and closing at 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.
If you are thinking about going, here are some tips. It’s best to spend the entire day at the park to get your money’s worth. Get there around 10:45. That way, you can get a good parking spot and you don’t have to wait in a long line to pay for your ticket.
There are inner tubes for the wave pool, available for free on a first come, first serve basis. Therefore, if you want a tube to relax or play in, be sure to get there early. Also, it is best to go on a Monday or a Tuesday, because the park is less crowded and thereby more enjoyable.
Great Waves is also home to a concession stand with a lot of great food such as burgers, corn dogs, salads, pizza, fries, funnel cake and ice cream. Food and drinks are not allowed into the park except for water and baby food. You can buy the park food or bring your own food that you can eat outside of the park, at the picnic tables located by the batting cages.
Make sure to check the weather before going. If there’s a storm, the park will close down for thirty minutes, and if the storm clears up, the park will open again. If it doesn’t clear up, the park closes for the rest of the day and you will not get your money back. So it’s best to go on a nice sunny day, as you would probably want to do anyways.
If you want to spend more than just one day there, you should buy a season pass.. The cost is $85 for the first pass, $70 for the second and $60 for any additional pass. Passes are good for one year.
Cameron Run is a lot of fun, especially if you want to cool off and relax with your friends or family on a hot summer day.
