Wet, Wild, and Wonderful

Cool Down in Chesapeake Beach

Story by Jackie Zilliox
Photography by Craig Peterson

If you don’t know what to do on those hot and hazy days of summer, consider floating down the lazy river at the Chesapeake Beach Water Park located on the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County.

The park’s main feature is its three-foot lazy river. Powerful water jets continually push swimmers and tubers around as they pass under misting coconut trees.  Just in case you are getting broiled on your tube, the river eventually flows through a cave with a waterfall that cools you down. Now that’s the life.

Twelve year old Sarah Ruttkay says, “My friends and I call it the dream stream. I swim instead of tube because I like to feel the water jets pushing me.”

When you approach the park’s entrance your senses are immediately soothed by the lush garden planted at the front gate. You enter through the ample shower and bathroom facility and out into one of four lounge areas.

To the right a big yellow umbrella with water spouting from its top allows you to get a feel for the cool water before entering the lazy river. To the left is a zero to ten-inch baby pool that has a friendly dolphin that beckons little folks to play.  A bridge leads you into the two and a half-foot deep activity pool for young kids. There are slides of varying height and design, a frog, a barrel and a crab to name a few, and a floating alligator to wrestle. Lifeguards are in abundance and are certified in shallow water rescue.

“When I hang out in the activity pool,” Sarah adds, “I go down the snail slide because it’s the biggest.”

As you walk past the waterfall in the activity pool, you enter the water volleyball area where you can catch a game. This is a full sun area with plenty of lounge chairs lining the pool. And when you’ve finished your game you can re-enter the lazy river by a connecting canal.

Nancy Feuerle, a Chesapeake Beach resident says, “It was a wonderful surprise when I arrived with my grandson Jordan to find that grandparents were admitted for free on Tuesdays. One thing that stood out immediately was the adequate number of lifeguards who by all appearances were keeping a close eye on all the children. We ate at the pavilion, which I thought was very clean and well managed.”

There are two 50 foot tubes, one is enclosed the other open, that spiral down from the tube tower. The tower provides a perfect bird’s eye view even if you aren’t tubing.

“When I took Jordan to the tower,” Nancy adds, “there was a height monitor there to let me know if he was tall enough, I liked that.”

There are two huge umbrella shaded areas and two full sun areas with plenty of large comfortable lounge chairs for everyone. Also there are two shaded picnic bench pavilions. These can be reserved for a party, and you can bring a cake. But no other food or drink is allowed into the facility. The park has a concession stand as well as a snow cone cart with your favorite flavors.

The park’s hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Age 2 and under are free. Discount rates apply from 4-8 p.m. Chesapeake Beach and Calvert County residents receive a discount. General admission for 42” and taller is $13.50, under 42” and senior citizens are $11.50.  Group rates are also available.

You are given a tag that allows you to leave and re-enter the park as many times as you like. Private parties may also be booked.

Whether you come for the whole day, or half day, bring a group or just yourself, “We want visitors to feel they had a good time,” says Michelle Jenkins, park manager. Michelle can be reached at 301-855-3803 or 410-257-1404 for more information or to reserve your party.  Aloha.