Wild Rivers Waterpark is a seasonal water park at the Great Park in Irvine with thrill slides, family raft rides, a lazy river, wave pool and play areas for younger children. This page is the main visitor-planning guide for Wild Rivers, with current information on hours, tickets, parking, cabanas, park policies, directions and history.
The 2026 operating calendar includes regular summer operations plus select dates in September and October. Hours, operating dates, attraction availability and prices can change, so check Wild Rivers’ official calendar before visiting.
Wild Rivers at a Glance
- Address: 10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618
- Phone: (949) 749-1900
- 2026 season: Summer operations plus select September and October dates
- Single-day tickets: Date-based pricing; select 2026 dates are advertised as low as $39.99
- General parking: $25
- Payment: Cashless; major credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted; cash-to-card kiosks are available
- Official website: Wild Rivers Official Website
Hours | Tickets | Parking | Cabanas | Rides | Food & Policies | Tips | Directions | History | FAQ
Planning other water-park trips? See our guide to Southern California water parks.
Wild Rivers 2026 Hours
Wild Rivers does not use one uniform daily schedule. The official 2026 calendar includes operating days with hours such as 10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., 10:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m., 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 12:00-6:00 p.m., 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and selected 3:00-7:00 p.m. After School Slides dates. The park also has closed dates between operating days during the late season.
Some reduced-operation dates have limited attraction availability. Wild Rivers specifically notes that operating days and hours are subject to change, so use the official Wild Rivers operating calendar shortly before your visit.
Wild Rivers Tickets & Season Passes
Wild Rivers uses date-based single-day ticket pricing. The official ticket page currently advertises tickets as low as $39.99 for select 2026 dates, with savings for choosing a specific visit date in advance. Flexible Any Day tickets are also available.
Individual tickets and season passes are non-refundable. Wild Rivers allows guests to modify the visit date for eligible tickets through the original ticket confirmation, subject to the park’s current rescheduling rules.
Buy Wild Rivers tickets. For senior, military, season-pass and other savings information, see our dedicated Wild Rivers Discount Tickets guide.
Wild Rivers Parking
General parking is currently $25. Wild Rivers allows visitors to pre-purchase parking online for convenience. All Wild Rivers guests are required to use the designated Wild Rivers parking lot; the park warns that vehicles left in other Great Park lots may be subject to towing.
If you leave and return the same day, keep your parking ticket for re-entry. See the official parking and directions page for current access information.
Wild Rivers Cabanas
Wild Rivers has six cabana zones near attractions including Shaka Bay, Castaway River, Cook’s Cove and Kontiki Cove. Cabanas provide guaranteed seating and shade, and a dedicated attendant can take food, drink and adult-beverage orders for delivery to the cabana.
Standard cabanas are 12 feet by 12 feet and include two chaise lounges, two regular chairs, a table and a safe. Wild Rivers says they comfortably seat 6-8 people. Cabana reservations are separate from park admission. See current options on the official cabana page.
Wild Rivers Rides & Attractions
The main Wild Rivers page is best used as a planning overview; our separate rides guide covers individual slides, height requirements and rider restrictions in detail.
Thrill & Family Rides
- Aquaconda: Six-passenger family raft ride with a 42-inch minimum height requirement.
- Bora Bora Boomerango: Large family raft attraction.
- Bombay Blasters: Body-slide attraction.
Relaxing & Family Attractions
- Castaway River: 1,700-foot lazy river with complimentary tubes and life jackets.
- Shaka Bay: Wild Rivers’ wave pool.
- Cook’s Cove: Children’s play area with slides and interactive water features.
- Kontiki Cove: Children’s pool and kiddie-slide area.
Ride restrictions vary by attraction, and attraction availability can be limited on reduced-operation dates. See all Wild Rivers rides, height requirements and rider restrictions.
Food, Drinks & What You Can Bring
Wild Rivers sells food, snacks and beverages inside the park. Its current FAQ specifically references Pacific Grille, concession carts and Bungalow 5 retail. Detailed dining and amenity information is better handled on our Wild Rivers Rides, Attractions & Amenities page.
Can You Bring Food Into Wild Rivers?
Outside food, drinks and alcohol are generally not permitted. Wild Rivers currently allows unopened sealed or empty water bottles, baby food and limited food for guests with special dietary restrictions. Refillable water bottles are allowed, and refill stations are located at the Main Entry building, locker/changing facility and outside the park’s four restrooms.
Glass containers and hard coolers are prohibited. Wild Rivers says soft-sided coolers are permitted if they do not exceed 20 quarts, but the food-and-beverage restrictions still apply.
Know Before You Go: Wild Rivers Tips
- Cashless park: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted. Cash-to-card kiosks are available.
- Lockers: First come, first served. Current all-day unlimited-access pricing is $18 for medium and $23 for large.
- Towels: Not provided; bring your own or purchase one at the retail store.
- Chairs: Personal chairs are currently permitted. Wild Rivers also provides more than 2,000 chairs and chaise lounges around the park.
- Umbrellas and portable tents: Not permitted.
- Re-entry: Permitted with a hand stamp before leaving.
- Strollers and mobility devices: The park does not rent strollers, ECVs or wheelchairs, but guests may bring their own.
- Pets: Pets are not permitted.
- Smoking/nicotine: Prohibited throughout the water park, entry plaza and parking lot.
- Security: Guests and bags are screened before entry.
- Birthday celebrations: Wild Rivers currently offers a Celebration package and cabana-based celebrations; outside birthday cakes and other outside food are not permitted.
What to Bring to Wild Rivers
- Swimsuit that meets the park’s ride/dress-code requirements
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Permitted refillable or sealed water bottle
- Waterproof phone pouch or other secure storage
- Water shoes if desired; they may need to be removed on certain attractions
Is Wild Rivers Good for Younger Kids?
Yes. Cook’s Cove and Kontiki Cove are designed for younger children, and Wild Rivers provides child-size life jackets at no charge near Shaka Bay and Castaway River. Children still in diapers must wear an approved swim diaper. Exact slide and attraction restrictions vary, so check our Wild Rivers rides and height requirements guide before visiting.
How Long Should You Spend at Wild Rivers?
A half-day visit can work if you’re targeting a smaller group of attractions, while a full operating day gives more flexibility for rides, the lazy river, wave pool and meal breaks. Check the specific day’s operating hours before deciding how much time to allow.
Best Time to Visit
Choose your visit based on the official operating calendar and the attractions you most want to experience. Late-season and reduced-hour dates can have limited attraction availability, while longer summer operating days provide more time in the park. Wild Rivers notes that hours, dates, attractions and prices can change without notice.
Wild Rivers Directions
Wild Rivers is inside the Great Park in Irvine, near I-5 and I-405. Current directions from Wild Rivers route visitors from Sand Canyon Avenue to Great Park Boulevard and through the Skyhawk roundabout to the Wild Rivers parking entrance. Use current navigation for the final route because Great Park access can change.
Official Wild Rivers parking and directions
Wild Rivers Returns to Irvine
Wild Rivers returned to Irvine at the Great Park after the original park had closed in 2011. The City of Irvine held a groundbreaking for the new Great Park location on July 7, 2021, and the current Wild Rivers began operating in 2022.
The current Wild Rivers describes the new park as nearly 20 acres and about 50% larger than the original, with four six-person family raft rides, open and enclosed body slides, mat racers, bowls, a water coaster, children’s slides and a large interactive play structure.
The water park is part of the broader Great Park destination in Irvine.
Wild Rivers History
The original Wild Rivers opened in Irvine in July 1986 on land previously associated with Lion Country Safari. Over the years, the park became known for attractions including The Abyss, Chaos, The Patriot, Bazooka Bowls and Buccaneer Bay.
When and Why Did Wild Rivers Close?
The original Irvine Wild Rivers closed after the 2011 season when its lease ended. The site was later redeveloped. Wild Rivers was a separate water-park company from Raging Waters; there was not an Irvine Raging Waters at the former Wild Rivers location.
Years of planning eventually brought Wild Rivers back to Irvine at its current Great Park location.
Wild Rivers FAQ
When is Wild Rivers open in 2026?
Wild Rivers operates on a date-specific seasonal calendar. The 2026 schedule includes summer operations and select dates in September and October. Hours vary by day, so check the official operating calendar before visiting.
Where is Wild Rivers located?
Wild Rivers is at 10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618 inside the Great Park.
How much are Wild Rivers tickets?
Wild Rivers uses date-based pricing. The official ticket page currently advertises single-day tickets as low as $39.99 for select 2026 dates. See our Wild Rivers discount tickets guide for ways to save.
Does Wild Rivers take cash?
No. Wild Rivers is cashless. It accepts major credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and provides cash-to-card kiosks.
Can you bring food into Wild Rivers?
Outside food and drinks are generally prohibited. Exceptions include baby food and limited food for special dietary needs. Glass containers and hard coolers are prohibited.
Can you bring a water bottle?
Yes. Unopened sealed or empty water bottles and refillable water bottles are permitted. Refill stations are available inside the park.
Does Wild Rivers have lockers?
Yes. Lockers are rented first come, first served. Current all-day unlimited-access pricing is $18 for a medium locker and $23 for a large locker.
Does Wild Rivers have a lazy river?
Yes. Castaway River is Wild Rivers’ 1,700-foot lazy river.
Does Wild Rivers have a wave pool?
Yes. Shaka Bay is the park’s wave pool.
Is Wild Rivers good for toddlers and younger children?
Wild Rivers has younger-child areas including Cook’s Cove and Kontiki Cove. Life jackets for children are provided free of charge, and approved swim diapers are required for children who are still in diapers.
Do Wild Rivers cabanas include admission?
No. Cabana reservations and water-park admission are separate purchases.
What should I bring to Wild Rivers?
Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses or a hat, a permitted water bottle and secure storage for your phone and valuables.
Where can I find Wild Rivers height requirements?
See our detailed Wild Rivers rides and attractions guide for individual height requirements and rider restrictions.
Are there Wild Rivers discount tickets?
Yes. Current offers vary by ticket type and eligibility. See our Wild Rivers Discount Tickets page for the detailed savings guide.