Alert:
Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole
The Water Mine is closed today due to weather.
The Water Mine opens for the 2024 Summer Season on Saturday, May 25. This family water park captures the excitement of the Old West's Gold Rush with attractions tailored for all ages. Tickets are available online or at the door.
The Water Mine draws a crowd (especially on weekends and holidays) — please prepare for lines and note that the water park can reach capacity. We recommend purchasing tickets online and arriving early. The Water Mine also may close early or lines may stall due to emergencies, capacity or weather conditions.
Please call 703-246-5929 in advance to determine the operational status when inclement weather has occurred or is forecasted. Email FCPAWaterMine@Fairfaxcounty.gov for more information.
Purchase discounted season passes for The Water Mine during the gold rush sale that runs now through Monday, May 27!
Season passes offer savings of more than 60% on daily admission prices — the more you visit, the more you save. Season passholders also experience faster entry and can purchase guest passes at a discounted rate. Get these sale prices while they last (ages two and younger enter for free):
The sensory friendly time at The Water Mine welcomes individuals and families who need spaces with reduced sensory input. Attend to experience limited capacity, reduced sounds and staff trained to respond to children with special needs. The Water Mine allows visitors to be fully immersed in water and louder water features are turned off during this event. Regular admission fees apply. Dates include:
Learn more about Fairfax County Park Authority’s other access and inclusion resources.
Purchase tickets for day of admission either online or in person at The Water Mine:
| Daily Admission | |
|---|---|
| Over 48 inches tall – Weekends and Holidays | $17.75 |
| Over 48 inches tall – Monday through Friday (except holidays) | $16.75 |
| Under 48 inches tall | $13.75 |
| 2 years old and under | FREE |
| We accept cash, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. | |
Please Note:
Water Mine 2024 Season Passes available now. Get the Gold Rush Discount through May 27, 2024.
Why buy a season pass?
The Water Mine opens on May 25 for the summer season.
|
2024 Operating Hours* |
|
|
Saturday, Sundays and Holidays, May 25-June 16 |
11 a.m.-6 p.m. |
|
Open daily, June 18-August 19 |
11 a.m.-6 p.m. |
|
Saturday, Sundays and Holidays, August 24-Sept. 2 |
$13.75 |
|
*The Water Mine may close early or lines may stall due to emergencies, capacity or weather conditions. Learn more in the Water Mine Procedures and FAQs. |
| PRIME (Holidays & Weekends) | NON-PRIME (Non-Holiday Weekdays) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rentable Areas | Full-Day | Half-Day | Full-Day | Half-Day |
| Awnings | $90 | $50 | $80 | $45 |
| Cabanas | $120 | $75 | $100 | $67 |
| Bungalow | $140 | $90 | $120 | $80 |
| Shoofly A | $310 | $185 | $300 | $150 |
| Shoofly B | $310 | $185 | $300 | $150 |
| Top Railer | $450 | $310 | $400 | $225 |
| Big Auger | $450 | $310 | $400 | $225 |
This family water park captures the excitement of the Old West's Gold Rush with attractions tailored for all ages. The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole offers more than an acre of slides, flumes, sprays, showers, floatables, and an interactive water playground. Careen off covered wagons, float on wild animals and dash through showers tipped from water-filled ore carts. The activity pool is encircled by Rattlesnake River, a 725 foot lazy river you can enjoy a relaxing float as the current gently nudges you along.
The centerpiece is Pete's Peak, a craggy mountain dotted with boarded up mine shafts and tunnels. Several slides of various size and intensity jut from the mountain, giving a variety of thrills you'll return to again and again. Enjoy a slide down Big Pete and Little Pete, or experience the thrills of Prospectors Plummet with one of three 3-story waterslides!
The mountain and slides are named for Pete the Prospector. According to Lake Fairfax legend, he staked his claim there in 1849, searching for gold. Sadly for Pete, his years of digging found only water. But now, with The Water Mine, the Park Authority is turning Pete's worthless old strike into the golden fun of summer.
There's something here for everyone. Tenderfoot Pond, with its pint-sized slide and gentle bubblers, gives toddlers a perfect place for water play. Children will delight at the never-ending bubblers and spray fountains in Boomtown, a multi-level water playground, along with the interactive slides and additional interactive features in the tot spray pad area! The more adventurous can test their skills on Box Canyon Crossing, the log walk obstacle course. Teenagers can join a game of water volleyball or enjoy the thrill of Prospectors Plummet, and everyone will enjoy going with the flow in a tube on Rattlesnake River.
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole is the perfect venue for school, summer camp, day care, church, and other group outings for youth. With thrilling activities for all ages, we offer everything you need for an exciting and memorable group visit!
Discounted admission rates of $12/person are available for scheduled groups of 20 or more people on non-holiday weekdays. Groups must make a reservation at least one week in advance.
Groups are required to make two partial payments. A partial payment for the first 20 people in the group is required when making a reservation. The second partial payment is 85% of the total group participants (less the first partial payment). When making multiple reservations, partial payments are required for each reservation date. Reserve your space early as there is a maximum number of groups allowed in the park per day.