How tall do children need to be for the Killens Pond water slides?

Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to use the large water slides. The water park also has a tot area, frog pool and interactive water features for younger children.

Killens Pond Water Park 2026: Tickets, Hours & New Pool

Q: Is Killens Pond Water Park open in September 2026?

Yes, but it is in late-season weekend-only operation from mid-August through Labor Day. The 2026 season ends September 7. Check the live reservation calendar before driving because session availability controls entry.

Q: How much are Killens Pond Water Park tickets in 2026?

Monday through Friday admission is $8 for guests under 48 inches and $10 for guests 48 inches and taller. Saturday, Sunday and holiday admission is $10 under 48 inches and $12 for 48 inches and taller. Children under 1 year old are free.

Q: What are Killens Pond Water Park hours?

The current 2026 reservation page lists two sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The park is weekends only early and late in the season and operates daily during the core summer period.

Q: What is new at Killens Pond Water Park in 2026?

A new 13,242-square-foot main pool opened for 2026. DNREC says it is nearly 48 percent larger than the previous pool and includes zero-entry access, two spray features, lily pads, a Tall Pine Bucket Shower, a pipe spray and a maximum depth of five feet.

Q: Does Killens Pond Water Park offer ticket discounts?

The official 2026 reservation page says private-event rentals and weekday non-holiday discount coupon books are available through the park office, and DNREC says coupon books and group rates are offered. Current coupon-book pricing is not published on the ticket page, so call 302-284-4526 for the current rate.

Q: Can you have a birthday party at Killens Pond Water Park?

The current ticket page does not publish a standard all-inclusive birthday package, but it tells visitors to contact the park office for water-park rentals for private events. State-park pavilions are a separate reservation option and do not automatically include water-park admission.

Q: Can you camp at Killens Pond State Park and visit the water park?

Yes. Killens Pond State Park is one of Delaware's year-round camping parks and also offers cabins. Camping or cabin reservations and water-park session tickets are separate reservations.

Q: Can I bring a cooler or outside food into Killens Pond Water Park?

No. The current reservation page says coolers and outside food or drinks are not allowed inside the water park. A concession stand is available.

Q: What happens if weather closes Killens Pond Water Park?

If the water park does not open for the day because of weather, the decision is made by 9 a.m. and pre-purchased tickets are automatically refunded. If the water park has already opened, there are no refunds for a later weather closure.

Felton • Delaware State Parks • 2026 refresh

The smarter Killens Pond day starts with one session, one height check and one weather check

Killens Pond Water Park is a compact state-park water park, not an all-day commercial resort. You reserve a morning or afternoon session, pay a separate water-park ticket, and still need to account for the Delaware State Park vehicle entrance fee during fee season.

The 2026 season also changes what older reviews mean. A new 13,242-square-foot main pool opened in May, with zero-entry access, improved filtration, lily pads and new spray features. This guide focuses on what is true now: tickets, late-season opening status, slides, discounts, camping, birthdays, reviews, photos and weather rules.

See 2026 prices Is it open now?See the new pool

Killens Pond Water Park 2026: fast answer

The current reservation page lists weekday admission at $8 under 48 inches / $10 at 48 inches and taller, and weekend or holiday admission at $10 under 48 inches / $12 at 48 inches and taller. Children under 1 are free.

The exact reservable sessions are 9:30 AM–1:15 PM and 2:00 PM–5:45 PM. The 2026 water-park season runs through Labor Day, September 7, with weekends-only operation again from mid-August through the end of the season.

Weekday under 48″$8Water-park ticket

Weekday 48″+$10Water-park ticket

Weekend under 48″$10Water-park ticket

Weekend 48″+$12Water-park ticket

Under age 1Free2026 change

Large-slide rule48″+Minimum height

Important 2026 cost change outside the water park: Killens Pond is an inland Delaware State Park. The current daily vehicle entrance fee is $5 for Delaware-registered vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles during fee season. That fee is separate from the per-person water-park ticket.

Is Killens Pond Water Park open right now?

As of September 2, 2026, Killens Pond Water Park is no longer on its seven-days-a-week summer schedule. The official 2026 ticket page says it switches back to weekends only from mid-August through Labor Day, with the season ending September 7.

Sept. 2

Not a regular late-season weekday

Do not drive over on a Wednesday expecting ordinary water-park operation.

Final weekend

Sept. 5–6

These are the final Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day. Live ticket inventory is the final check.

Season end

Labor Day — Sept. 7

DNREC says the 2026 season operates through Labor Day. Confirm session inventory before travel.

Skip generic “Open now” listings: third-party pages can still show old pre-session hours. For this park, the ReserveAmerica ticket calendar is more useful than a generic business listing.

Check live sessions

Killens Pond Water Park tickets and real 2026 trip cost

Mon–Fri under 48″$8Per person, per session.

Mon–Fri 48″+$10Per person, per session.

Weekend/holiday under 48″$10Per person, per session.

Weekend/holiday 48″+$12Per person, per session.

Under age 1FreeNew for 2026.

DE vehicle entrance$52026 inland daily fee.

Out-of-state vehicle$102026 inland daily fee.

Online transaction$0.50Referenced in current ticket refund language.

Three realistic family examples

Weekday • Delaware car

2 adults + 2 kids under 48″

$41 base

$20 + $16 water-park tickets + $5 vehicle fee, before transaction fees and food.

Weekend • Delaware car

2 adults + 2 kids under 48″

$49 base

$24 + $20 water-park tickets + $5 vehicle fee.

Weekend • out-of-state car

2 adults + 2 kids under 48″

$54 base

$44 water-park admission + $10 vehicle entrance.

One session means one ticket: the park clears between sessions. Do not budget one ticket as an all-day pass.

Ticket discounts, coupon books and group rates

The current official ticket page tells visitors to call the park office for weekday/non-holiday discount coupon books and private water-park rentals. DNREC also confirms coupon books and group rates are available.

Verified discount route

Weekday/non-holiday coupon books

Call 302-284-4526. The product is verified, but a current coupon-book price is not published on the ticket page.

Large group

Ask for group pricing first

Get the current minimum size, price and reservation rules before buying ordinary tickets.

Vehicle fee

Annual park pass is separate

2026 annual passes are $50 for Delaware vehicles and $100 for out-of-state vehicles. Water-park tickets remain a separate cost.

Do not confuse discounts: a discounted state-park annual pass is not proof of discounted water-park admission.

Killens Pond Water Park hours and sessions

DNREC’s news release rounded the sessions to 9:30–1:30 and 2–6, but the current 2026 ticket page gives the actual reservable windows below. Use the ticket page for arrival planning.

Session 19:30 AM–1:15 PM

Best fit for toddlers, families avoiding peak afternoon heat, or campers who want the afternoon free.

Session 22:00 PM–5:45 PM

Good for later arrivals or families who want lunch before entering.

Early season

Weekends only Memorial Day through mid-June.

Core summer

Daily operation until mid-August.

Late season

Weekends only mid-August through Labor Day.

What changed with the new Killens Pond pool in 2026?

A completely new main pool opened for the 2026 season after a roughly $5.5 million project. That matters when you read older reviews.

13,242 sq. ft.

Nearly 48% larger than the previous pool.

Zero-entry access

Easier walk-in access for families and accessibility needs.

5-foot maximum depth

All-ages family pool.

Lily pads

Interactive balance feature.

Tall Pine Bucket Shower

New 2026 spray feature.

Pipe spray

Second new spray feature.

Better sight lines

Rectangular design improves lifeguard visibility.

Improved filtration

New pool and pumps improve circulation.

Review context: a 2018 or 2022 complaint about the old main pool does not describe the 2026 pool layout. Older comments about crowds, lines or staff can still be useful, but separate those from the new infrastructure.

Slides and attractions by age fit

Two 54-foot speed slides

Higher-thrill option for 48″+ guests.

Two 54-foot twist slides

Blue twist slide plus an orange tunnel slide.

New main pool

Zero-entry pool open to all ages.

Floating lily-pad walk

Interactive balance challenge.

Frog pool

Smaller-child water play.

Tot lot

Bubblers, ground jets and small slides.

Concession stand

Useful because outside food is not allowed.

Locker rooms + swim shop

Changing and last-minute swim essentials.

Slide rule: guests must be at least 48 inches tall. Jewelry, watches, hats, sunglasses, heavily beaded hair, zippers, buckles and rivets are restricted on the slides.

Killens Pond Water Park reviews: what is still useful?

Recent positive themeGood value for families

Recent visitor feedback often praises the relatively low cost and says one session is enough for younger children.

Recent practical themeTimed sessions can help

Recent reviews say reservations make crowd planning easier, though hot weekends can still feel busy.

Older negative themeCrowding and maintenance

Older Tripadvisor reviews mention day-camp crowds, temporary closures and maintenance. Those reports predate the new 2026 pool.

Best way to use reviews: treat pre-2026 pool descriptions as historical. Use current official sources for the pool itself, and use reviews mainly for softer issues such as crowds, lines, concession timing and family fit.

Killens Pond Water Park photos: make sure they show the new pool

Official ticket gallery

ReserveAmerica includes current water-park photos alongside the actual ticket details.

DNREC 2026 pool photos

The May 22 announcement shows and describes the expanded new main pool.

Review-site photos

Check upload dates. Pre-2026 main-pool photos are now historical.

Official ticket page + photos 2026 new-pool photos

Killens Pond camping + water park: a better weekend plan

Killens Pond is one of Delaware’s year-round camping parks and also has cabins. That makes the session format easy to work around.

Morning session

Swim first

Use the morning session, then return to the campground for lunch, a nap or pond activities.

Afternoon session

Camp first

Use the morning for trails, boating or a slow campground start, then swim after lunch.

Cabins

Easier with younger kids

A cabin gives you a better changing, meal and nap base than relying on the locker room.

Separate bookings: a campsite or cabin reservation does not reserve a water-park session. Book both independently.

Delaware State Parks overnight stays

Killens Pond Water Park birthday party options

The current ticket page does not publish an all-inclusive birthday package. It does verify that the park office handles water-park rentals for private events.

Private event

Call before invitations

Ask about dates, capacity, current rental pricing, food rules and admission.

Pavilion

Pavilion and water park are separate

State-park pavilions can work as gathering space, but should not be assumed to include water-park admission.

Budget route

Ask about groups/coupon books

A weekday non-holiday group may have a cheaper route than regular individual tickets.

Best sequence: confirm the water-park session or private event first, then build food/pavilion plans around that confirmed access.

Swimwear, food, supervision and accessibility rules

Synthetic swimwear only

No cotton garments are allowed in the water park.

No thong bathing suits

Explicitly listed in the current rules.

No coolers/outside food

Use the concession or eat before/after your session.

No floats or pool toys

Air-inflated devices and pool toys are not allowed.

Children under 14

Children under 14 and all non-swimmers must be accompanied by an adult.

ADA pool access

Ramps, multiple lifts and water wheelchairs are listed for pool access.

Weather, cancellations and refunds

Before opening

Decision by 9 AM

If the park does not open because of weather, pre-purchased tickets are automatically refunded.

After opening

No weather refunds

Once the water park has opened, later weather closures do not receive refunds.

Planned changes

Session-specific cutoffs

The current ticket page lists same-day change and cancellation cutoffs. Read the live terms before editing a booking.

Long-drive tip: watch thunderstorm risk, not just temperature. An afternoon storm after opening can end a paid session without a weather refund.

How to plan a Killens Pond Water Park visit

Open the live ticket calendar

Confirm the date and choose the 9:30 AM or 2 PM session.

Add both kinds of admission

Budget per-person water-park tickets plus the state-park vehicle fee unless a valid pass covers vehicle entry.

Measure children

The four large slides require 48 inches; younger kids still have several pool and play options.

Pack to the rules

Use synthetic swimwear and skip coolers, outside food/drinks, floats and slide-restricted accessories.

Coordinate camping or parties separately

Overnight stays, pavilions, private events and coupon books are separate from ordinary session tickets.

Check storms before driving

Weather refunds depend on whether the water park opened that day.

Official sources for the final live check

Official water-park ticketsLive sessions, prices, rules, accessibility and photos.DNREC new-pool announcement2026 pool size, features, project and season information.2026 state-park feesCurrent inland vehicle entrance fees and annual passes.Killens Pond State ParkParent park information and day-use planning.Camping & cabinsOfficial overnight-accommodation planning.Park Office: 302-284-4526Private events, coupon books and group-rate questions.

Killens Pond Water Park FAQs

Is Killens Pond Water Park open in September 2026?

Yes, but late-season operation is weekends only from mid-August through Labor Day. The 2026 season ends September 7. As of September 2, use the live reservation calendar for final session availability.

How much are Killens Pond Water Park tickets in 2026?

Weekdays are $8 under 48 inches and $10 at 48 inches and taller. Weekends/holidays are $10 under 48 inches and $12 at 48 inches and taller. Children under 1 are free. State-park vehicle entry is separate.

What are Killens Pond Water Park hours?

The current 2026 reservation page lists 9:30 AM–1:15 PM and 2:00 PM–5:45 PM sessions.

What is new at Killens Pond Water Park in 2026?

A new 13,242-square-foot main pool opened for 2026. It is nearly 48% larger and includes zero-entry access, lily pads, new spray features and a maximum depth of five feet.

How tall do children need to be for the water slides?

Guests must be at least 48 inches tall for the large water slides.

Does Killens Pond Water Park offer ticket discounts?

Yes. The official page confirms weekday/non-holiday discount coupon books, and DNREC confirms coupon books and group rates. Call 302-284-4526 for current pricing.

Can you have a birthday party at Killens Pond Water Park?

The current page does not publish a standard birthday package, but the park office handles water-park rentals for private events. Pavilions are a separate reservation.

Can you camp at Killens Pond State Park and visit the water park?

Yes. Killens Pond offers year-round camping and cabins. Reserve the overnight stay and water-park session separately.

Can I bring a cooler or outside food?

No. Coolers and outside food or drinks are not allowed inside the water park. A concession stand is available.

What happens if weather closes Killens Pond Water Park?

If the park does not open because of weather, pre-purchased tickets are automatically refunded. Once the water park has opened, later weather closures do not receive refunds.