Guide to The Boardwalk at Hersheypark Water Park 2025

Date: May 25, 2025

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start to summer in The Sweetest Place On Earth, and with that comes the opening of The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park. The 11-acre water park is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark as part of three experiences in one for guests of all ages to cool off this summer. 

Keep reading this guide to explore how to maximize your time at The Boardwalk this summer season!

16 Water Attractions

The Boardwalk is home to 16 water attractions with something for everyone - from thrilling water slides and a water coaster for the Boardwalk Speedsters to a lazy river for relaxation seekers and zero-depth entry areas for the youngest water lovers. 

Catch a Wave in the Wave Pool

The Boardwalk features one million gallons of water, including a 378,000-gallon wave pool. Known as The Shore, it is the perfect place for the whole family to cool off and catch a wave in between riding some coasters. Even Hershey's Miniatures can splash around in the wave pool as it gradually deepens from 0 to 6 feet. 

Relax in the River

Guests of all ages can experience 1,360 feet of sweet, tubular relaxation on the Intercoastal Waterway! This relaxing lazy river ride reaches depths of two feet as it winds through the heart of The Boardwalk. The lazy river is accessed via a zero-depth entry ramp and features bridges for guests to walk over it. 

Take the Plunge on a Water Slide

A water park is certainly not complete without some water slides, and The Boardwalk offers six of them with Coastline Plunge! Guests can take the plunge on Hydro, Pipeline, Riptide, Surge, Vortex and Whirlwind. The water slides feature one or two-person tubes that go through dark tunnels, serpentine curves and corkscrew revolutions - all dropping riders into a splash pool. 

Win a Race on a Mat Racing Slide

Guests with a competitive edge will love Whitecap Racer, a mat racing slide with colorful double-looping tunnels. The water attraction features six lanes, so guests can compete against family or friends. At the end of the attraction, race times are featured on an arena-sized leaderboard - an opportunity to earn bragging rights for the rest of the summer.

Conquer a Water Coaster

Coaster conquerors looking for a little more thrill can experience Breakers Edge, the HydroMAGNETIC water coaster inside The Boardwalk. Riders accelerate on rafts through a dynamic course of thrilling splash-filled hills and drops, intense open-air FlyingSAUCER turns and high-speed tunnels that redefine water thrill rides.

Level Up at East Coast Waterworks

The Boardwalk is also home to East Coast Waterworks, a popular water attraction modeled after iconic boardwalks along the East Coast. It offers seven slides, two crawl tunnels, nearly 600 interactive water features and more than 54,000 gallons of splashing fun for all ages. But the biggest splash comes from a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket for those looking to cool off on a hot summer day.

Make A Splash at Kiddie Attractions

Families with young children can splash and play all day at three kiddie attractions in The Boardwalk. Sandcastle Cove features water slides, cannons, water curtains, jets and a pool that reaches depths of 18 inches. Shoreline Sprayground is an all-ages water fun playground with misters, bubblers, dancing fountains, spraying jets, water curtains and a drenching tipping bucket. Bayside Pier is an ideal water attraction for younger children. It has a zero-depth entry ramp, rolling waves, fountains, tipping cones and more. 

Delicious Boardwalk Eats

Boardwalk guests who work up an appetite from racing down water slides and splashing around at the various water attractions can fuel up with more than 10 food and beverage locations right inside the water park.

New this summer is fried shrimp at Shoreline Grill, our food location conveniently located by the wave pool. Nathan's at The Boardwalk offers signature hot dogs and French fries for guests looking for the typical Boardwalk experience. Oola Bowls provides a refreshing meal for anyone looking to cool off with an acai bowl, and Rita's offers ice and custard as another sweet treat. For savory options like delectable burgers, chicken strips, fries and more, guests will want to stop by East Coast Burger Works. 

Be sure to check out our 2025 Summer Food Guide to explore what's new at East Coast Burger Works and other food locations throughout Hersheypark this summer.

Cabana Reservations

Twenty-seven cabanas line the lazy river inside The Boardwalk for guests interested in elevating their water park experience. The cabanas are available to rent from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Cabana guests have private access to an assigned cabana, equipped with a refrigerator stocked with 12 complimentary bottles of water, a table, four chairs, and two chaise lounge chairs during the Boardwalk operation. Upon check-in, each guest in the party receives a beach towel and beach bag with suntan lotion. There are complimentary lockers, restrooms and changing rooms accessible throughout the day. Exclusive food and beverage offerings are also available for cabana guests, with walk-up and cabana service to the Cabana Grill and complimentary fountain soda at the Cabana Pepsi Station. The best part? Cabana guests have exclusive ride entry/exit to the Intercoastal Waterway.

Guests visiting Hersheypark during the summer season can book cabanas by visiting the cabanas page online. 

Pricing varies by day and may fluctuate based on demand at any time. 

Water Park Tips

Dress appropriately - Only appropriate swimwear is permitted on the water attractions. Revealing bathing suits, shorts with rivets, snaps, zippers, metal ornamentation, cutoffs and jeans are not permitted. All eyeglasses must be secured with safety straps, and aqua shoes are not permitted on the body slides. Parents accompanying toddlers in the children's play area must also wear bathing suits. Only waterproof diapers are allowed in The Boardwalk attractions.

Bring your own towel - Hersheypark does not provide complimentary towels in The Boardwalk, so guests are encouraged to bring their own.

Grab a life jacket - Life jackets of various sizes are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may also bring their own life jacket, as long as it is Coast Guard-approved. Outside wave boards, inner tubes, inflatable toys, or other inflatables, including water wings or swimmies are not permitted.

Rent a locker - Guests who need a place to store their belongings can rent lockers in The Boardwalk. Lockers are rented by the day. A large locker costs $25, and a regular locker costs $18.

Forgot your swimsuit or sunscreen? Don't panic; just stop by Beachology, where you can purchase an assortment of necessary items for a day at the beach, including sunblock, waterproof cases, and the latest swim styles by O'Neil and Billabong.

Check out these other packing tips for a day at Hersheypark. 

Purchase Tickets Now, Save All Year 

Guests looking to make a splash can explore our Summer Fun Card for unlimited visits all summer long through Sept. 7., or save on Hersheypark tickets when purchased online. 2025 summer tickets are valid any 2025 public operating day through Jan. 4, 2026. See you soon!