The 7 biggest waterparks in North Carolina, ranked

Are you ready for a carefree day under the summer sun? Check out these big waterparks in North Carolina, which we’ve ranked from worst to best.

It’s the best day of summer: Ice cream is dripping down your arm, water is splashing in every direction, children are laughing in unabashed glee, parents are finally reading the books they’d checked out from the library weeks ago, and the chlorinated breeze is keeping you alert to all of the fun that’s yet to unfold.

Going to the waterpark isn’t an everyday affair for everyone, but when you do hear those magical words about a beautiful day trip unfurl from the mouth of your parent, friend, or partner, it can feel like the heavens just opened up. (And if you’re like us, these days always include early-morning sandwiches stuffed into reusable baggies for later snacking.)

But how do you know the right North Carolina waterpark to choose for your frivolous day off? We did the legwork so you don’t have to, and to be clear, there are no bad waterparks in North Carolina. All of them are bastions of carefree summer fun, but we know—and respect—that our readers like to get into the nitty-gritty of things. As such, we’ve done a deep dive into the biggest waterparks in North Carolina and ranked them by their Tripadvisor reviews to give you a better glance at what makes each stand out.

7. White Lake Water Park

Address: 192 NC-53, Elizabethtown, NC 28337

Tripadvisor Rating: 3.7/5

Located directly south of Fayetteville, Elizabethtown has a lot of charm, including in the form of White Lake Water Park. One of the biggest waterparks in North Carolina, this attraction offers multiple ways to have fun on a beautiful summer day. Several pools, water slides, and a lazy river are the keys to success here. There’s also the option to rent one of the waterpark’s tiki huts, which come in various sizes. There, you can grill some fresh food for your loved ones. You only need to pack your charcoal; the grill is provided.

On Tripadvisor, White Lake Water Park has a rating of 3.7 at the time of writing. The biggest gripe appears to be that the waterpark is only great for families with young kids, as it tends to have a lot of children running around. Some reviews also mention a lack of sanitary supplies in the restrooms. “The park was aged & i was expecting more. … The lazy river was asleep with water hardly moving & customers blocking the entrance constantly. In my opinion this park is best for 15 years old & under,” one reviewer explained. Still, others loved their time and want to return. “Enjoyed our visit with the water park …kids had a fun time and are ready to go back…….will be taking our kid back soon,” wrote one pleased visitor.

Ultimately, White Lake Water Park seems to be a great way to make a splash, but we’ve still got six more North Carolina waterparks with higher Tripadvisor ratings to check out.

6. Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Address: 3910 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406

Tripadvisor Rating: 3.7/5

Depending on who you ask, Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is one of the best NC waterparks to check out this summer. This waterpark boasts several cool water slides with fun designs and themes, as well as regular swimming areas and a lazy river that add to its charm. It has everything that a successful waterpark needs to create perfect summertime memories, so why is it tied for last place among the biggest waterparks in North Carolina (at least as far as Tripadvisor goes)?

On Tripadvisor, this waterpark has a 3.7 rating, with many reviewers posting about the ample fun they had on the premises. Still, some complaints recur in multiple reviews, including high pricing and poor customer service. Others have complained about sanitation issues. For example, one visitor shared, “… The bathrooms were the most disgusting thing ever. [T]here were used tampons just lying in the showers[,] all of the changing stalls were completely taken[,] and the toilets were all clogged.”

This might just be one waterpark you have to experience for yourself!

5. Carolina Harbor Waterpark

Address: 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273

Tripadvisor Rating: 4/5

Carolina Harbor Waterpark is located at the Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte, and, really, who doesn’t love a twofer? After a few hours of screaming at the top of your lungs while riding roller coasters, you can take a dip into Carolina Harbor Waterpark’s refreshing waters. And you can rest assured that you’re in good hands since this North Carolina waterpark is maintained by Six Flags, the amusement park company that owns a number of parks of the same name. This attraction will see you toughing out water surges in style in the wave pool, slipping down water slides, and generally enjoying your time while you float your way through a relaxing day.

So, what lands the Carolina Harbor Waterpark in the second-to-last position? On Tripadvisor, Carowinds, including the waterpark, has an even rating of 4, and while that is impressive, other waterparks in North Carolina have this amusement park beat. Contributing to this rating is one reviewer who seemed to feel deceived, claiming that the water was “too cold” for the waterpark to even be open—yet it was. “Carowinds should have postponed the opening for at least another 2 weeks or more to allow the water to warm up and rides to finally open,” the reviewer added.

Still, when the water is warm, people report having a blast here, and many are quick to note how bangin’ of a deal it is that visitors are granted access to both the amusement park and waterpark with the same ticket. In this economy, say less!

4. Lions Water Adventure

Address: 2602 W Vernon Ave, Kinston, NC 28504

Tripadvisor Rating: 4/5

Another of the waterparks in North Carolina with an average of 4 stars on Tripadvisor, Lions Water Adventure is here to quench your swimming thirst this summer. With a tagline of “Have a roarin’ good time,” Lions Water Adventure wants you to let loose and enjoy every second that you’re in the water—and it seems to be easy to do with the lazy river, water slides, and general swimming area. Sensing a theme yet? These are all classic waterpark elements for a reason. There are also rentable cabanas here for special occasions.

How did Lions Water Adventure earn its Tripadvisor rating, you ask? Well, for the most part, reviewers note having a great time in the water. One point of contention is the waterpark’s food. “Well i have 3 kids and they [didn’t] eat anything because they [didn’t] like any of the food they have there just [don’t] go there,” wrote one reviewer. Another said, “They [don’t] think or care about kids with special diet needs. When you have a kid that cannot eat certain foods it becomes a problem.” Others have mentioned specific items that future visitors shouldn’t order, such as the nacho cheese sauce. That said, folks don’t have the same complaints about the swimming portion of their stay.

3. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Address: 5320 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403

Tripadvisor Rating: 4/5

Last but not least in the battle of the waterparks in North Carolina with a Tripadvisor rating of 4 is Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. This waterpark appears to be bigger than some of the others on this list, which landed it in the top spot of our tied attractions. After all, we are ranking the biggest waterparks in North Carolina. At Jungle Rapids, you can explore everything from an arcade to mini bowling, laser tag, and go-karts before or after your dip in the waterpark, creating a well-rounded experience for people of all ages.

On Tripadvisor, reviewers report loving the slides and pools—another recurring theme. One issue visitors have had is the price of admission. “Experience was good but the waterpark admission is vastly over priced for the amount of slides they have to offer,” one reviewer shared, which elaborates on another reviewer noting their disappointment that some slides have been removed over the years. Others have had issues at the on-site food counter, noting long wait times and poor customer-service experiences. The actual swimming appears to go swimmingly, however. “First time and we loved this place. … We can’t wait to go back,” one thrilled reviewer wrote.

2. Fantasy Lake Adventure Park

Address: 3601 Quarry Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.1/5

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park barely edged out the previous three waterparks in North Carolina on this list, but it managed to do so tactfully. On Tripadvisor, this attraction has a 4.1 rating, albeit from a smaller pool of reviewers. This waterpark is one of the most interesting on this list because it’s set on a lake and consists of inflatables, not man-made swimming pools and slides engineered from metal. Still, it’s a waterpark nonetheless—and one with an interesting history.

According to the attraction’s website, the lake and its surrounding areas were used as a stone quarry before the land was purchased in 1980. From there, it began its slow transition into becoming a watering hole for the locals, and now, the lake has an inflatable waterpark on its surface that keeps people coming back for more. Did we mention you can scuba dive here, too?

“This place is amazing. Truly one of the most unique places I’ve ever been. Located in a quarry, it is unbelievably beautiful. … The water obstacles were fun and challenging,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer. Many visitors praise the waterpark’s staff for its friendliness, and some people even say that zinging from inflatable to inflatable can act as a good workout. As for the negatives, reviewers don’t care for the lack of visibility in the lake, and some have claimed that they’ve had items stolen from them while they were in the water.

All of this said, Fantasy Lake Adventure Park lands in the second spot on our list, with the last of North Carolina’s biggest waterparks inching closer to a 5-star rating.

1. H2OBX Waterpark

Address: 8526 Caratoke Hwy, Powells Point, NC 27966

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Finally, at long last, we’ve come to the champion of the biggest waterparks in North Carolina: H2OBX Waterpark. This attraction has a 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor, making it easily the highest-rated option on this list.

What’s there to love about it? First, it’s truly sprawling; only aerial shots can capture the full waterpark, and even then, it’s hard to see everything at once. With so much space comes massive water slides that you’d expect from a long-standing amusement park, not a standalone waterpark. There’s also plenty of coverage in the form of umbrella-shaded seating. Pictures make it look like you can’t go here without grinning from ear to ear.

But what are the real visitors who’ve been to H20BX Waterpark saying? “The park is a great size and it wasn’t super crowded. They have something for everyone and many options for young kids,” one reviewer wrote after a trip to the waterpark. Many also say that the food here is quite good, especially compared to other similar parks. Just note that no outdoor food or bevvies are allowed, but thankfully that shouldn’t be a problem given all of the food’s glowing reviews. We hear that the fish tacos are particularly yummy. The final takeaway? “Get there early if you want a chair in the shade – they go quickly.” Will do!