GREAT RIVER WATER PARK

ST. PAUL, MN
VISIT WEBSITE

We’re close. We’re so close. We’ve all earned yet another Minnesota Winter Survival badge, whether we like it or not. But there’s still a perpetually substantial lake-effect chill in the air (to be expected…we do have 10,000 of them), so until the warmth really settles in, my family is still relying on the beauty of indoor facilities. The Great River Water Park, located in the Oxford Community Center in St. Paul, has two larger waterslides, a lap pool and a shallow kiddie pool with play area, is a pretty entertaining way to spend a couple hours with kiddos. And better yet? It’s really reasonable in price, especially if you go on half-price days or discount Sundays. The glory of outdoor pools will be upon us soon enough, but in the meantime, we found great relaxation lounging around Great River.

What is it?

Great River Water Park is one of the many robust St. Paul Parks & Recreation aquatic facilities (others include Como Park Pool, Highland Park Aquatic Center and Phalen Park Beach), but Great River is the only indoor option, located inside the Oxford Community Center off Lexington and I-94. Open all year, the water park offers a small kiddie area with nets to climb, two small slides, some water-shooting spigots and plenty of room for kids to crawl, climb and run through knee-deep, semi-warm water. There are also two large-sized tube slides for anyone over 48″ and a lap pool with a diving board for open swim. The community center offers concessions and a sauna as well, and really, who in their right mind doesn’t dream of a sauna break at this point in the year? The kiddie pool can get awfully crowded but if you go early enough in the morning, this is a great way to wipe out an entire carful for under $20.

Fit for what ages?

With its two small slides and miniature water falls, the small wading pool is awesome for toddlers up to age five, but there seems to be a small gap for young school-age kids who aren’t yet 48″ or strong swimmers. I can see how boredom would set in quickly for their age and size. Once kids hit 48″, they can cruise down the two large tube slides, but the slide exit is in a different pool, so be sure you have a strong swimmer before sending them down alone. The large pool has a diving board for strong swimmers in the deep end and life jackets are available for little swimmers who want to venture into this pool and do it “all by themself!” Of course, parents must keep an eye on their children because, duh, it’s water and water is scary. The three sections (kiddie pool, slide pool and main swimming pool) are separated by walls so it can be hard if you are trying to manage a toddler and a teenager simultaneously.

How much are we talkin?

Admission into the Water Park is $5 (under 48″) and $6 (over 48″). You can also purchase a family pass (for up to five family members) and only pay $20. Then, each additional member is an extra $4. Discounts are available on Mondays and Wednesdays (half price) and Sundays ($4 admission).

Locker rentals are available for $1 and there is a concession stand that offers pizza, hot dog and chicken nugget combos for $3-4. Drinks, fruit snacks, frozen yogurt, candy, chips and popcorn are all for sale for less than $3 each. While the health factor certainly isn’t there, the price is very cheap for food.

Memberships are available (year-round and seasonal) and include unlimited access to Great River Water Park, Como Park Pool, Highland Park Aquatic Center and Phalen Park Beach. Those family memberships range from $200 to $500, but if you’re a water-loving kind of family who lives on the east side, this might be a winner for you.

Birthday parties are also available at the water park and they range from $11/person to $15/person, depending on the package you get.

Want some tips?

While locker rentals are only $1, we simply set our bags and towels on one of the poolside chairs and kept an eye on them. There is a family locker room (as well as a men’s and women’s) which provides plenty of room for changing as well as restroom facilities. The concessions are located in the pool area and there are designated areas for eating. Outside food and beverage are not permitted.

As if admission wasn’t cheap enough, if you visit Great River Water Park on a Monday or Wednesday, admission is half price (I’d pay $3 to swim any day!). On Sundays, admission is $4 for everyone. Don’t plan on swimming? You’ll still need to pay $3 to sit and watch. At that point, you may as well just spend the extra $2 and get your splash on!

Are there lifeguards? Yes. But you should still keep an eye on your kids at all times. This can prove to be a bit difficult if you have some children who want to use the kiddie area and others who want to use the slides or large pool because there is a wall separating the two areas. I understand that they did this for the safety of wandering toddlers, but it makes it impossible to view both sides at the same time. If your little one wants to enjoy the big pool, consider renting a life jacket for free.

The sauna is tucked in the wall between the kiddie pool and the slide pool and is your classic sauna (the kind that reminded me of sleepovers at my friend’s houses in the 80s) with a very hot furnace. Feels amazing if you’re 34 and are catching a five-minute break from being splashed in the face, but is not intended for super little ones…especially with tiny, touchy hands that are drawn to the color of fire.

Kids are not supposed to climb on the turtle in the play area. Learned that one the hard way. He’s very hard to resist, in our defense. The kiddie pool is a lot warmer than the other two pools, but is still only lukewarm. I found it most enjoyable to crawl around on my hands and knees with my whole body submerged. I’m sure I looked cool doing it too.

Kids must be 48″ tall to ride the tube slides and you cannot ride them in tandem. Kids smaller than 48″ cannot sit on a parent’s lap. Not 48″ = Not getting down the slide. Period.

This place is also a decently-priced option for a birthday party. For $11/person, kids get an hour in the party room, all-day admission to swim, cake, ice cream and beverages. For $15/person, kids get all of that plus the option of pizza or hot dogs.

Hours and Location

270 N. Lexington Parkway  |  St. Paul, MN 55104

Open Swim and Waterpark Hours
Sunday  11:00am – 5:00pm
Monday  10:30am – 12:30pm and 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Tuesday  Closed
Wednesday  10:30am – 12:30pm and 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Thursday  Closed
Friday   10:30am – 12:30pm and 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Saturday  12:30pm – 7:00pm

Follow Oxford Community Center on Facebook to see special hours or deals, swimming camp options, recreation classes, and Fun Fitness Friday dates (when admission is only $2). The Facebook page covers all St. Paul aquatics facilities.

Disclaimer: I received a family pass to the Great River Water Park in exchange for my time sharing this post and hosting this giveaway. All thoughts are my own.