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Island Kingdom Water Park

About

Looking for a way to cool off in the heart of the metropolis? Island Kingdom Water Park is a true tropical oasis located on the grounds of the famous Elitch Gardens theme park. Situated in the city of Denver, this site is unique for the entire USA, as it is America's only large entertainment complex of its kind located directly within city limits.

Island Kingdom Water Park. Source: Kupi.com AI

Island Kingdom was the first place in Colorado to feature professional water slides. Today, it offers guests an impressive variety of entertainment: from extreme vertical drops to peaceful lagoons and spacious wave pools. The special "island kingdom" atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for family vacations where everyone can find something to enjoy.

An important feature is that access to the water attractions is already included in the general Elitch Gardens park ticket. This allows tourists to easily switch between breathtaking roller coasters and the refreshing splashes of the water park without leaving the complex grounds.

Contacts

To check the latest information regarding park operations and ticket prices, you can use the official communication channels.

Below are the main contact details:

Address 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Phone +1 303-595-4386
Official Website elitchgardens.com/water-park/

What to Do

A kaleidoscope of water adventures awaits you at Island Kingdom. The ultimate challenge for the brave is the EDGE — a massive four-story slide. Here you can experience an incomparable sense of free fall, sliding down an almost vertical angle directly into a cloud of thousands of gallons of churning water, before being gently caught by the relaxing current of the Castaway creek.

For those who prefer more traditional water fun, there are massive wave pools mimicking the ocean surf and picturesque lagoons. Be sure to visit Shipwreck Falls, which brings delight to both children and adults. Numerous family zones and interactive water playgrounds allow even the youngest visitors to spend time safely and have fun.

Since the water park is integrated into the general Elitch Gardens space, you can alternate water activities with watching colorful shows or riding land-based attractions. This place is designed to combine adrenaline-pumping slides with relaxed rest in the shade of umbrellas while enjoying the Colorado summer sun.

Getting There

Island Kingdom Water Park is conveniently located in the heart of the city at 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204, near the scenic South Platte River. If you are planning to arrive by car, follow I-25 or I-70 — there is a spacious parking lot available for visitors on the complex grounds.

For those who prefer public transport, Denver offers a well-developed RTD network. You can reach the park entrance via bus routes No. 19, 20, or 52, with stops located within walking distance. It is also easily accessible on foot or by bicycle from the city center, allowing you to enjoy the urban scenery.

Travelers arriving at Denver International Airport (DEN) will need about 30–40 minutes to reach the water park by taxi or rental car (a distance of approximately 40 km). Don't forget that Denver is the "Mile High City," so it's worth allowing time for mild acclimatization to the thinner air during your first few days.

History & Facts

The history of this site is inextricably linked with the legendary Elitch Gardens park, founded back in 1890 by John and Mary Elitch. Originally, it was a farm that the couple transformed into a true oasis featuring the first zoo west of Chicago, a botanical garden, and even a theater. A century later, in the 1990s, the park made a historic move to the city center, becoming the first theme park in the US to undertake such a relocation in 30 years.

The Island Kingdom water park itself opened as an ambitious addition to the main complex as part of a large-scale renovation program. It went down in history as the first water park in the state of Colorado to be equipped with professional water slides. With this expansion, Elitch Gardens solidified its status as the only urban theme park in the country combining classic rides and a full-scale water zone within the city limits.

In the early 2000s, the water park continued to develop actively under the management of industry giants such as Premier Parks and Six Flags. It was during this period that iconic attractions, such as the extreme EDGE slide, were introduced. Today, Island Kingdom is a place that holds memories for several generations of Coloradans who have been coming here for thrilling experiences for over thirty years.

Time Needed

To fully enjoy all the features of the water park, visitors typically need 4 to 6 hours. This is enough time to test the main slides, swim in the wave pool, and relax for a bit on the lounge chairs by the water.

If you plan to combine the water attractions with a visit to the main part of Elitch Gardens, you should dedicate an entire day to your visit. Keep in mind that on hot weekends and holidays, lines for popular slides can be longer, so it's best to arrive at opening time to visit the most popular locations without a long wait.

Working Hours

The operating schedule of Island Kingdom Water Park is seasonal. It typically opens its doors during the summer period, welcoming guests from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM, depending on the day of the week and weather conditions.

Please note that operating hours may change due to special events or maintenance. Currently, it is highly recommended to check the latest schedule on the park's official website before your trip, as the site's operating status may be temporarily changed.

Nearby

The water park's convenient location in the central part of the city allows tourists to easily combine water fun with visits to other interesting locations. A stroll through the surrounding area will help you better feel the city's atmosphere and see Denver from different perspectives.

Attraction Distance (km)
Downtown Aquarium 0.2
Elitch Gardens 0.2
Lakeside Amusement Park 4.8
Water World 11.9
Slick City Action Park 12.5
Pirates Cove Water Park 14.1
Boondocks Food and Fun - Northglenn 17
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park 17.3
Bounce Empire 26.7
Boondocks Food and Fun - Parker 29.7

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