If you are looking for a quick surfing or water slide splashing getaway with a stunning mountain and lake backdrop right here in the Inland Northwest, plan a couple-day trip to Chelan, Washington’s Slidewaters Water Park and Lakeside Surf. Slidewaters features water slides for all ages and thrill-seeker levels, a lazy river, fun water features, shaded hangout areas and dining options, and connected to the waterpark, Lakeside Surf is the largest man-made surf wave of its kind in the world and has beginner and more advanced surf session options.
Slidewaters Water Park
Slidewaters offers water slides and other water activities and features to keep all ages smiling. For those looking for a thrill, Slidewaters has several longer, steeper slides including the 300-foot-long Blue Blaster and the Sidewinder slide that hits riders with a 360 turn right out of the gate followed by multiple quick drops, turns and a tunnel. The Aptly-named Corkscrew includes multiple 360 turns, fast drops, and a tunnel. There are also several beginner and intermediate level slides, like the Bonzai Pipeline where parents and children can slide together.
Enjoy a float along a 500-foot river on a Lazy River tube for a more relaxing experience. Home to the 150-gallon tipping bucket and numerous other spray features, the Zero Depth Beach is a hit with kids who love to play in the spray features coming out of the ground and above. There’s also a massive, 100-degree flower-shaped hot tub that fits 60 people; an activity pool for swimming, pool games, and diving; and a Kid’s Aqua Zoo, a special attraction designed to entertain guests under 48 inches with animal slides, a whale with an active spout, and a teeter-totter with a spraying surprise.
Lakeside Surf
Lakeside Surf, the world’s largest stationary surf wave that opened in Chelan in 2021, is connected to Slidewaters (but requires a separate fee) and offers a world-class river-type surfing experience just three hours west of Spokane. From April through the end of October, total beginners and ocean, river, or wake surfers of varying abilities can book public sessions, lessons, and even private group sessions. Book a session and see for yourself why so many aspiring and veteran surfers continue to flock to this inland surfing mecca.
The Lakeside Surf wave functions more like a river wave that is a stationary feature built into the pool that stays put while water rushes past you as you carve it up on a board. Starting on the edge of the pool standing on the board, you can ride out into the wave and cut back and forth across the wave once you get the hang of it. Read our 2021 full review of the wave in Out There here. Lakeside offers both beginner, advanced, and “anybody” wave sessions for surfers 10 years and older. All equipment, instruction, and some coaching is provided. The surf wave is always open for spectators to come watch at no cost.
Starting Memorial Day weekend, Lakeside Surf is open daily through Labor Day weekend, with weekend hours continuing through October. Surfers can book sessions online and view the calendar to see day and time slots that have openings. Each public session includes a maximum of 12 surfers, with an average wait time of five minutes or less between rides.
Rally your surfer friends or slide-loving family for a road trip to Chelan this summer!
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