A 32-foot tower here launches riders down three slides, including a 160-foot speed slide. That alone would make most summer plans.
But this spot also has a wave pool and a 750-foot lazy river.
I love that the river comes with a choice. You can float the calm channels or take an adventure route full of sprays and geysers.
Little kids get their own zero-depth pool with bubblers, a waterfall, and a tiny slide.
Here’s a fun bonus for Michigan history fans. This park is noted as the state’s first public water park, and it got a big makeover in 2013.
That’s a lot of splash with a lot of story behind it.
Thirty-Two Feet Up Is Where The Screaming Starts
Plunge Peak stands 32 feet tall at Rolling Hills Water Park, and it’s the first thing thrill fans will spot. Three slides drop from the top, so you get choices before you even get wet.
Two of them twist and turn for about 250 feet each. That’s long enough to lose track of which way is up.
The third is a 160-foot speed slide for riders who like things fast and direct.
Riders need to be at least 42 inches tall to climb the tower. Measure your kids at home first, so nobody gets surprised at the stairs.
It saves tears and a long walk back down.
Plunge Peak arrived as part of a major 2013 upgrade to the park. That project brought new bathhouses, a new entryway, and more parking too.
So the tower is still fairly fresh in water park years.
The park also has a separate body slide and a tube slide. Older kids can mix and match all afternoon without riding the same thing twice.
Honestly, the hardest part might be picking which one to try first.
Waves Roll In Without Any Ocean In Sight
Michigan is famous for its Great Lakes, yet White Cap Bay brings the waves right to Washtenaw County. It’s the big wave pool at Rolling Hills Water Park.
For many families, it’s the main event.
Wave pools aren’t found at every water park, which makes this one a nice treat. Kids can jump the swells near the shallow side.
Braver swimmers can head out where the water gets deeper.
Life jackets are available in limited supply. If your swimmer is still building confidence, grab one early in the day.
You could also bring your own approved vest to skip the hunt.
Tubes add a whole new layer of fun out on the waves. Floating up and down feels a little like riding a sleepy sea creature.
Parents may find it oddly relaxing, at least until someone splashes them.
Keep an eye on the waves schedule while you’re there. Pools like this often take short breaks between wave cycles.
That’s a good moment to reapply sunscreen, sip some water, and plan your next move before the next set rolls in.
Pick Your River Mood Before You Grab A Tube
Floating sounds simple, right? At Rolling Hills Water Park, the 750-foot lazy river actually gives you two different personalities to choose from.
One path keeps things calm and easy. You lean back, let the current carry you, and watch the clouds drift by.
It’s perfect for parents who need a break from chasing kids.
The other option is called the adventure route. It adds sprays and geysers along the way, so staying dry is not really on the menu.
Kids who get bored easily usually love this side.
Families can switch things up on different laps. Start with the chill channel, then take the wild one when everyone wakes up.
It’s a smart way to keep both grown-ups and kids happy.
The lazy river also works well for younger swimmers who aren’t ready for the waves. With a parent close by, it feels safe and fun.
Older folks may enjoy walking or floating in the moving water too.
Bring patience for tube timing on busy days. Once you’re in, though, the river does all the work.
That’s the best kind of exercise, if you ask me.
Tiny Swimmers Get Their Very Own Splash Zone
Little ones under 45 inches have a slide all to themselves. It’s called the Little Dipper, and it lives in the zero-depth activity pool at Rolling Hills Water Park.
Zero-depth means the water starts at nothing and slowly gets deeper. Toddlers can wade in at their own pace.
No scary drop-offs, no sudden surprises.
The pool also has gentle bubblers, geysers, and a waterfall. Small kids can poke, splash, and squeal for a long time here.
Parents can stay close without getting fully soaked, unless the waterfall has other plans.
There’s also a splash pad with interactive water features nearby. It’s a good spot for kids who like spraying water more than swimming in it.
Sometimes a simple fountain beats a giant slide.
Planning tip for families with babies: swim diapers can be bought on site. Still, packing a few from home is never a bad idea.
Changing stations and family restrooms are available too.
Wet slides can be slippery, even small ones. Stay within reach of young kids as they climb and play.
That way the fun stays happy from start to finish.
Claim Your Chair Fast And Find Some Shade
Chairs go quickly on busy summer days, so plan your home base early. Rolling Hills Water Park has lounge chairs across a large sun deck.
Shaded seating spots are scattered around too.
Grassy areas offer another option when the deck fills up. Some spots have natural shade or umbrellas.
A towel or a small blanket can turn any patch of grass into prime real estate.
Families who arrive at opening often have the best pick. That’s especially true on hot weekends.
Sleepy teens may grumble, but they’ll thank you by noon.
Sun protection matters a lot on an all-day visit. Sunscreen is sold on site if you forget yours.
Hats and cover-ups help kids stay comfortable between swims.
Coin-operated lockers are available for a small fee. They’re handy for phones, keys, and wallets.
Bring some coins so you’re not stuck scrambling at the locker bank.
The bathhouses include showers and family restrooms as well. Those came with the 2013 upgrade, along with a gray water system.
It’s nice to know the park was built with a little thought for the planet.
Hungry Swimmers Have Two Smart Options
Swimming burns energy fast, and kids will remind you about lunch loudly. Rolling Hills Water Park has a concession stand selling snacks, drinks, and meals.
Outside food and coolers generally aren’t allowed inside the water park. Bottled water is usually the exception.
Expect bag checks at the gate, so pack accordingly.
Want to bring your own picnic instead? Get a hand stamp on your way out.
Then head to the picnic areas just outside the water park entrance.
Once you’ve eaten, you can return to the pools with that stamp. It’s a nice way to save some money and still enjoy a long day.
Pack sandwiches, fruit, and plenty of water in the car.
Larger groups can also look into renting a pavilion in the wider county park. That works well for birthday parties or family reunions.
Booking ahead is the smart move for summer weekends.
Here’s a simple game plan many families like. Eat a big breakfast, snack inside, then picnic outside for dinner.
Everyone stays fueled, and nobody melts into a hangry puddle.
Michigan Water Park History Started Right Here
Long before slide towers and spray geysers, this spot had a swimming pond. Rolling Hills County Park opened in 1983.
Later, the pond was replaced with a water slide and wave pool.
That change earned the park a cool title. It’s noted as Michigan’s first public water park.
Not bad for a county park outside Ypsilanti.
The biggest makeover came in 2013 with a 4.5 million dollar upgrade. Old bathhouses and the entryway were swapped for new buildings.
Plunge Peak and a bigger parking lot joined the lineup too.
The park closed in 2020 during the pandemic. It reopened in June 2021 with limited capacity and online ticket sales.
That online-first approach still shapes how many families visit today.
I like that a place with this much history keeps growing. Grandparents might remember the early days.
Their grandkids get the shiny new slides.
It’s a fun story to share on the drive over. Kids may not care much about dates.
But being first in the whole state? That tends to impress just about anyone.
A Little Planning Keeps The Day Running Smoothly
Tickets sell out on busy summer weekends, so buy yours online ahead of time. The park can hit capacity.
Arriving with a scannable ticket on your phone makes entry much easier.
You’ll find the park at 7660 Stony Creek Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. It sits inside the larger Rolling Hills County Park.
That park covers about 439 acres.
Keep in mind there are two separate costs. Water park admission is one, and a vehicle entry fee for the county park is another.
Budget for both before you leave home.
The water park runs seasonally, usually from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Daily hours often fall around midday into early evening.
Check the park’s Facebook page for closures or schedule changes.
Weather can be tricky in Michigan summers. Tickets are typically non-refundable unless the water park closes for the whole day.
Glance at the forecast before you click buy.
First aid is available on site, and the park has accessibility features. Pack towels, coins for lockers, and refillable water bottles.
Then let the splashing begin.
Dry Off And Keep Exploring The Bigger Park
Disc golf, fishing, and trails all wait just beyond the pools. Rolling Hills County Park has plenty to do once everyone’s fingers turn wrinkly.
The 18-hole disc golf course is a fun way to burn off leftover energy. Kids and adults can play together.
Nobody needs to be good at it to have a blast.
A fishing pond offers a quieter break. Paved and natural-surface trails work for walking, biking, and birdwatching.
It’s a nice switch from all that splashing.
Playgrounds give younger kids one more round of fun. Pair them with a picnic, and the day stretches out nicely.
Some families might not head home until the sun dips low.
The county park stays open year-round too. Come winter, there’s a sledding hill and groomed cross-country ski trails.
Tube and toboggan rentals are available, plus a lodge with a fireplace.
So this corner of Michigan isn’t just a summer stop. It’s a place you could visit in every season.
Start with the water park, then come back when snow covers those hills.
