Roaring Springs Water Park in Meridian, Idaho: 12 Tips Before You Go

If you’re looking for one of the best ways to cool off during the summer in the Treasure Valley, you really can’t go wrong with Roaring Springs Water Park. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer with kids.

Now that I have a toddler, it’s been a fun way to get outside for the day! Roaring Springs is in Meridian just outside of Boise and is the largest water park in the Northwest. I think it has something for everyone, from large water slides and a giant wave pool to a lazy river and toddler-friendly splash areas. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend an entire day.

Whether it’s your first visit or you haven’t been since you were a kid, here are my best local tips before you go.

While we’re at it, let’s be friends on Instagram @travelingspud + @theboiseguide and Tiktok!

Roaring Springs Water Park at a Glance

📍 Location: Meridian, Idaho

⏰ Plan to spend: 5–8 hours

👨‍👩‍👧 Great for: Families, kids, teens, birthday parties and groups

☀️ Best time to visit: June through August

🎟️ Buy tickets online: It can save time, and the park often offers different ticket options and specials throughout the season.

12 Tips Before Visiting Roaring Springs Water Park

1. Arrive right when the park opens

If there’s one tip I’d give everyone, it’s this. The first hour is by far the best time to ride the most popular slides before lines start building. If you’re hoping to ride The Hive or the park’s biggest attractions multiple times, arriving early is worth it. And while Roaring Springs is usually always busy, a weekday is usually much more manageable than a weekend (if you can swing it).

2. Wear water shoes + bring waterproof phone case/bag

The pavement gets HOT during Idaho summers. You’ll be walking all over the park throughout the day, so water shoes or sandals you don’t mind getting wet are well worth packing. I love wearing these! Note: you cannot wear your shoes on the big rides!

And if you don’t want your electronics to get wet, think about bringing a dry bag (like this) or a phone case bag (like this)!

3. There isn’t a ton of shade, so bring lots of sunscreen

There isn’t a ton of natural shade throughout the park, so you’ll probably be spending most of the day in direct sun. I always recommend bringing: sunscreen, sunglasses (note that you cannot wear sunglasses on the rides with you, you’ll need to hold them in your hands), a hat, and an extra towel.

While you can’t bring a shade structure, pop-up tent, or free-standing large umbrella, you can bring personal umbrellas with a clamp that attaches directly to a chair (like this). You CAN bring in your own beach chairs, but the park also has lounge chairs scattered throughout the park that you can use.

4. Rent a locker

If you’re bringing your phone, wallet, keys, and anything valuable, lockers make the day much easier. That way, if you don’t have someone watching your stuff at a landing point, you can enjoy the rides without worrying about your belongings.

5. Consider renting a cabana

If you’re visiting with grandparents, little kids, or a larger group, a cabana can be a really nice upgrade. You’ll have your own shaded space to relax throughout the day instead of trying to claim chairs early in the morning. They have cabanas for 8 people up to 14 people and are usually very strict on the number of people within each cabana so keep that in mind.

6. Bring a reusable water bottle

It’s easy to forget how dehydrating a full day in the sun can be. Drinking plenty of water between rides will make your day much more enjoyable. Make sure your water bottle is not glass, or they won’t let you bring it in.

7. Don’t miss the Endless River and the Wave Pool

Everyone talks about the big slides, but honestly one of my favorite parts of any water park is floating the lazy river and spending time in the wave pool. They are both the perfect break between rides. Note: the Endless River is very COLD!

8. If you’re visiting with little kids…

Under 2 years old is free to visit Roaring Springs. And if you’re visiting with smaller children they have several areas designed specifically for them, including Bearfoot Bay and Camp IdaH2O. These features have smaller slides, splash features, and shallow water. Life jackets are also available if needed. I brought my 16-month-old for the day, and she loved hanging out at Bearfoot Bay and floating on the lazy river! We ended up getting a cabana so that she could take her afternoon nap in there and then continue to play!

Note: you cannot bring outside food into the park, but you can bring a stroller and food, drinks for your infant or toddler.

Lastly, I recommend having a meeting point. The park can get very crowded and it’s nice to have a place you can call your own.

9. If you like a thrill, you should head here first

If you’re coming for the biggest rides, don’t miss:

The Hive
Cliffhanger
Corkscrew Cavern
Rattlesnake Rapids
The Avalanche

These are some of the park’s most popular attractions and tend to have the longest waits later in the day.

10. Plan to eat lunch inside the park

You can’t bring ANY food into the park whatsoever; they are pretty strict on this. Luckily, there are several food stands throughout Roaring Springs, so it’s easy to grab lunch without leaving. They have a brand new Geyser Grill & Bar with tons of food and drink options as well as smaller places like Paradise Pizza and Surfside Grill. You can also get ice cream and Dippin’ Dots throughout the park.

With your Roaring Springs ticket, you can also leave the park and come back with your hand stamped, so if you wanted to go out to the car to eat, or go grab lunch elsewhere, go home for your child to nap, whatever it is, you can always come back in!

11. Pair your visit with Wahooz

Right next door is Wahooz Family Fun Zone. If you still have energy after the water park, you can add: go-karts, mini golf, bowling, arcade games and laser tag. The parks also offer combo ticket options.

12. Stay for special summer events

Throughout the summer, Roaring Springs hosts Slide Nights, DJ nights, and Dive-In Movies at the wave pool, which are a fun way to experience the park a little differently if you’re local.

What to Pack for Roaring Springs

Where to Stay Near Roaring Springs

There sadly aren’t any cute boutique hotels super close to Roaring Springs, but here are some hotels that work if you want to be really close to the park including:

Tru by Hilton (See Current Prices)
Courtyard by Marriott (See Current Prices)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites (See Current Prices)
TownePlace Suites (See Current Prices)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much are tickets to Roaring Springs?

Ticket prices vary depending on the day and admission type, so I recommend checking the official website before your visit for the latest pricing and discounts.

Is Roaring Springs worth it?

If you’re looking for a fun summer day in the Treasure Valley, absolutely. Whether you’re traveling with kids, teenagers, or a group of friends, there’s enough to easily spend the entire day here.

Can you bring outside food?

Roaring Springs has restrictions on outside food and drinks, though there are designated picnic areas outside the park and some exceptions. Check the current policy before your visit.

How early should I arrive?

I recommend arriving right when the park opens if you want to experience the most popular rides with shorter wait times.

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Best restaurants in Boise
Local hikes and outdoor spots
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Hidden gems most visitors miss
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