The Cove Waterpark vs Wild Rivers
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 | The Cove Waterpark | Wild Rivers |
|---|---|---|
| Parking |
Only at The Cove Waterpark
- cabana rentals
- swimming pool
- splash pad
- group rates
- season passes
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
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 →Wild Rivers
California
Wild Rivers was Southern California's water park pioneer, opening in 1986 and running for over 25 years before closing in 2011. During its heyday, this 20-acre Irvine park was the place to beat the heat in Orange County. The park's signature attraction was Thunder Falls, a massive water slide complex that towered over the property. The lazy river wound through the entire park, making it easy to float between attractions without walking on scorching concrete. Wild Rivers had something most parks didn't - a genuine beach feel with its wave pool that generated 4-foot swells every few minutes. Kids loved Splashout Island, a multi-level play structure with smaller slides and water features. The park also featured several body slides and tube slides of varying intensity levels. What made Wild Rivers special was its location and timing. Situated in the heart of Orange County, it served families from across the region who didn't want to drive to bigger parks like Knott's Soak City. The park had a relaxed, community feel that many visitors remember fondly. You could easily spend a full day here without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The food was typical theme park fare, but the shaded picnic areas provided relief from the California sun. Wild Rivers closed permanently in 2011 due to financial difficulties and the site was later developed into residential housing. Many Orange County families still have fond memories of birthday parties and summer days spent at this local favorite. While you can't visit Wild Rivers today,…
Read the full Wild Rivers guide →Ready to visit The Cove Waterpark?