Top Reasons Illinois Families Love Hurricane Harbor Rockford

Hurricane Harbor in Rockford, Illinois has announced opening day for the 2025 season, and here's three big reasons you need to take your family there this summer.

Illinois and Wisconsin's Best Waterparks

As a kid who LOVED to swim and now the mother of two water-loving daughters, I feel I'm pretty well versed in all things waterpark.

Whenever my family decides to go on a mini getaway and we give our daughters a chance to decide where we go, nine times out of ten they will choose a waterpark.

We've been to all of the Wisconsin Dells waterparks, we've been to the one in Lake Geneva, and of course we've been to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Rockford.

Before we get into why I think your family will love spending a day at Hurricane Harbor Rockford, let me first share the big news so you can mark it on your calendar...

3 Reasons to Love Hurricane Harbor Rockford

Growing up in Rockford, I spent almost all of my summer days at Magic Waters Waterpark, now known as Hurricane Harbor Rockford. I would save up all of my allowance money to buy a season pass each year, and my friends and I would spend hours there every day soaking up the sun and swimming in the wave pool.

I still remember how excited we were to check out the lazy river when it first opened decades ago, and it's amazing to me how much this waterpark has grown and improved, yet still feels like home.

If you've live in the Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin area and have never been to Hurricane Harbor Rockford before, here are three big reasons why you need to check it out this summer.

1. It's close to home. If a day trip is all you have time for, why spend a big chunk of it driving in the car to enjoy a waterpark in Wisconsin? Just go to Hurricane Harbor Rockford and enjoy a swimming in the Tsunami Bay wave pool or floating down the Castaway Creek (lazy river).

2. Less crowds (and less walking). I've been to enough waterparks to know that big waterparks come with big crowds and some big walking distances between attractions.

3. It's more affordable. Prices may gone up since I used to spend my summers at Magic Waters, BUT, the price of daily admission at Hurricane Harbor Rockford is still FAR more affordable than in the Dells, AND seasons passes to Hurricane Harbor Rockford include admission into Six Flags Great America, and parking too. (Seriously, check it out, here).

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford has thrill 6 different water rides for thrill seekers and several kid-friendly areas for littler swimmers, so everyone in your family will have something to enjoy. Go to sixflags.com/hurricaneharborrockford to start planning your trip today.

Here are some more cool pools to check out in the Rockford area this summer...