Knotts Soak City Palm Springs vs The Cove Waterpark
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Knotts Soak City Palm Springs | The Cove Waterpark |
|---|---|---|
| Parking |
Only at Knotts Soak City Palm Springs
- gift shop
Only at The Cove Waterpark
- swimming pool
- splash pad
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Knotts Soak City Palm Springs
California
Knott's Soak City Palm Springs brings California water park fun to the desert with 15 acres of slides, pools, and attractions that feel perfect against the backdrop of those iconic palm trees. The park hits that sweet spot for families with kids aged 4-14, though teenagers will find plenty to keep them busy on the bigger slides. The multi-level play structure dominates the kids' area with smaller slides, tipping buckets, and water features that keep younger visitors entertained for hours. For the bigger thrills, you'll find several body slides and tube slides that pack enough punch without being too intense. The wave pool generates solid waves every few minutes and stays busy most of the day. The lazy river winds around a good portion of the park and offers those floating moments you need between attractions. Since this is Palm Springs, the desert heat can be brutal, so the park's designers smartly included plenty of shade structures and palm trees throughout. The food options cover the basics with burgers, pizza, and snacks, though prices run typical water park expensive. Cabanas book up fast during peak season and they're worth it if you're spending a full day. The park feels well-maintained and clean, which isn't always a given at regional water parks. Parking is free and plentiful, which saves you from the usual headache. Best strategy is arriving right at opening to grab your spot and hit the bigger slides before the crowds build. Weekdays during summer offer shorter lines but…
Read the full Knotts Soak City Palm Springs guide →The Cove Waterpark
California
The Cove Waterpark sits on about 10 acres in Riverside, making it one of the Inland Empire's go-to spots when temperatures hit the triple digits. This isn't Knott's Soak City, but it doesn't try to be. Instead, you get a solid neighborhood water park that locals have been coming to for years. The main draw is a decent-sized wave pool that generates waves every 15 minutes or so. Kids love timing their jumps with the wave cycles, and parents appreciate that it's not so intense that little ones get knocked around. The slide collection includes a couple of body slides that give you a good rush without being terrifying, plus some tube slides that families can ride together. What really works here is the lazy river that actually moves at a relaxing pace. I've seen too many parks where the current is either non-existent or feels like whitewater rafting. The Cove gets it right. The kids area has smaller versions of the big slides plus fountains and dump buckets. Teens might find it a bit tame compared to the mega-parks, but younger families will appreciate that they can actually relax while their kids play safely nearby. The pool deck gets hot, so bring water shoes or plan to hop from shade spot to shade spot. Speaking of shade, rent a cabana if you're staying all day. The few umbrella tables fill up fast, especially on weekends. Food options are typical water park fare, but the prices aren't outrageous for Southern…
Read the full The Cove Waterpark guide →Ready to visit Knotts Soak City Palm Springs?