Great Waves at Cameron Run: plan the gate, waves and slides before you go
Cameron Run Water Park Alexandria searches point to Great Waves Waterpark, the seasonal aquatic attraction inside Cameron Run Regional Park at 4001 Eisenhower Avenue. It is a local Northern Virginia waterpark built around seven slides, a giant wave pool and younger-child water play rather than a resort-style all-day complex.
The biggest 2026 planning detail is easy to miss: daily admission is same-day and on-site only. That makes the operating calendar and capacity procedure just as important as the ticket price, particularly on hot weekends and holidays.
Cameron Run Water Park: fast answer for 2026
The official waterpark name is Great Waves Waterpark. On Fridays, weekends and holidays, admission for guests 48 inches or taller is $19.50 for jurisdiction residents or $20.50 for non-jurisdiction visitors. Guests under 48 inches and adults age 60+ pay $16 or $17. Children under age 2 enter free.
Choose the right Cameron Run ticket strategy
Use daily admission
Choose regular Great Waves admission if your family mainly wants the wave pool and slides and does not plan meaningful time at mini golf or the batting cages.
Compare the $25 pass
Play All Day gives unlimited Great Waves, mini golf and batting cage use. For an active family, it can remove repeated per-activity decisions.
Check jurisdiction status
The City of Alexandria is a NOVA Parks member jurisdiction, so eligible city residents fall under the lower jurisdiction waterpark rate.
Opening time matters most
There is no advance daily ticket to guarantee entry. NOVA Parks says waterparks commonly hit capacity within the first hour on hot weekends and holidays.
Cameron Run Water Park tickets and 2026 prices
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday admission
48 inches or taller
Less than 48 inches
Age 60 and over
Children under age 2
Play All Day Pass
Group rate
Earlier 2026 Monday–Thursday non-holiday rates
48″ or taller
$17.50 jurisdiction
$18.50 non-jurisdiction
Under 48″
$14 jurisdiction
$15 non-jurisdiction
Age 60+
$14 jurisdiction
$15 non-jurisdiction
After 4 PM weekday
$11.50 jurisdiction
$12.25 non-jurisdiction
Who qualifies for the lower NOVA Parks jurisdiction price?
“Jurisdiction” is not a special coupon code. It refers to residence within one of the local governments that financially participate in NOVA Parks.
City of Alexandria
Included. This is the member jurisdiction most directly relevant to a Cameron Run Regional Park Alexandria visit.
Arlington County
Included as a NOVA Parks member jurisdiction.
Fairfax County
Included as a NOVA Parks member jurisdiction.
Loudoun County
Included as a NOVA Parks member jurisdiction.
City of Fairfax
Included as a NOVA Parks member jurisdiction.
City of Falls Church
Included as a NOVA Parks member jurisdiction.
Cameron Run Water Park hours: the complete 2026 Great Waves schedule
Cameron Run Regional Park itself is generally open daily from sunrise to sunset. Those are not Great Waves Waterpark hours. The waterpark has its own shorter seasonal calendar.
The ticket detail that matters more than price: Great Waves capacity
Buying at the gate does not hold a future spot
Because daily tickets are not sold in advance, a family arriving after the facility reaches its operating capacity may have to wait.
Capacity can hit in the first hour
NOVA Parks says waterparks typically reach capacity within the first hour after opening on weekends, holidays and especially good-weather days.
Entry can resume, but not one-for-one
New guests may be admitted as others make their final departure, but every person leaving does not automatically create one immediately available admission.
Typical waterpark visits are described by NOVA Parks as lasting about two to four hours, although guests may stay for the full operating day. That means a capacity hold can last several hours on a strong attendance day.
What is actually inside the Cameron Run splash park area?
If you search “Cameron Run splash park Alexandria,” the attraction you are usually looking for is Great Waves. The official 2026 attraction description centers on seven slides, the wave pool and child-focused water play.
Two speed slides
A pair of taller, faster slides reached by a substantial staircase.
Three swirling slides
Three larger flume-style waterslides: two open and one covered.
Two smaller open slides
Located in the play-pool area for smaller guests.
Giant wave pool
The waterpark’s signature pool with wave action and tube floating.
Kids Zone
A lower-intensity water-play option for younger visitors.
Giant splash pad
Interactive spray and splash play without committing to the larger slides.
Paradise Play
Beach-themed dry play structure with slides, climbs, rock wall and other elements for children ages 3–12.
Minnow Bay area
The current cabana information identifies Minnow Bay as the baby-pool area near Cowabunga Cove.
Great Waves slide height, weight and supervision rules
48″ for slides over 10 feet
NOVA Parks lists Great Waves’ waterslides over 10 feet as requiring riders to be at least 48 inches tall.
Under 250 pounds
General NOVA Parks waterslide rules restrict sliders to persons weighing less than 250 pounds.
One rider at a time
Only one person is permitted on a waterslide at a time unless a separately posted attraction rule states otherwise.
Feet first
Riders must follow the required feet-first position and obey the supervising lifeguard.
No loose objects
Loose items such as sunglasses, towels and sunscreen bottles cannot travel down the slide.
No personal rafts on slides
Rafts and flotation devices are not allowed on the waterslides.
Rules parents should know before entering the pool
Under age 12
Must be supervised by a guardian age 16 or older at all times.
Non-swimmers
Non-swimmers and small children need an adult within arm’s reach.
Life jackets
Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices are permitted.
Swim diapers
Non-toilet-trained guests must wear a swim diaper in the pools.
Is the $25 Cameron Run Play All Day Pass worth it?
What $25 includes during waterpark season
- Great Waves Waterpark admission.
- Unlimited use of the 18-hole miniature golf course.
- Unlimited batting-cage use for the day.
- Same price for jurisdiction and non-jurisdiction visitors.
- Purchased on-site on the day of use.
Mini golf on its own
Age 12 & under
$6 per round
Age 13–54
$8 per round
Age 55+
$6 per round
Waterpark patron
$3.50 per round
The mini golf course has 18 holes. Replay is $3, groups of 10 or more are $4 per person, and a 10-round punch card is currently $40.
Batting cages on their own
14 balls
$3 per batting-cage session.
30-minute team rental
$20 jurisdiction / $24 non-jurisdiction.
60-minute team rental
$38 jurisdiction / $44 non-jurisdiction.
Current Annual Waterpark Pass option
Individual
Senior 60+
Family of 2
Family of 3
Family of 4
Family of 5
Great Waves cabana prices and reservation choices
Unlike daily general admission, cabanas are an advance-reservation product. The current dedicated rental page lists spaces for groups from eight up to 50 people and requires a minimum number of Play All Day passes with the reservation.
Standard tiki cabana
$65 / $80 Weekday / weekendShade, deck chairs and tables. No electricity. Minimum four Play All Day passes.
North Shore Cabana
$150 daily Next to the wave poolSix picnic tables, two shade structures and serving tables. Minimum 25 Play All Day passes.
Cowabunga Cove
$100 daily Near Minnow BayFive metal picnic tables with umbrella shade. Minimum 10 Play All Day passes.
Tiki Hut Cabana
$100 daily Next to Paradise Play15-by-15-foot shade structure, four tables and electricity. Minimum 10 Play All Day passes.
Food, coolers, swimwear and family rules
No outside meals or coolers
Outside food and beverages are generally prohibited inside NOVA Parks waterparks.
Water is allowed
Water and baby food are allowed under the published waterpark food policy.
Special-needs exception
Management can approve food/beverage exceptions for a disability or special need.
No glass
Glass containers are prohibited inside the aquatic facility.
No chewing gum
Chewing gum is specifically prohibited by the waterpark rules.
No alcohol
NOVA Parks states alcoholic beverages are prohibited in its regional parks.
Food available inside Great Waves
Surfside Pizza
The official Great Waves attraction page specifically promotes pizza as one of its on-site dining choices.
Riptide Café
Another official on-site location for lunch, snacks and waterpark-day food.
Great Waves weather closure and rain-check rules
Thunder or lightning
Guests are cleared from the water when the lightning-detection system indicates thunderstorm danger.
30+ minute shutdown
If operations are suspended for at least 30 minutes before 4 PM, qualifying guests can exchange their receipt for an all-day rain check.
Final two hours
During the final two operating hours, only an “After 4 PM” rain check is issued.
No cash refund
No refunds or early rain checks are issued under the published weather procedure.
The facility may also delay opening or close early because of dangerous weather, rain, low attendance, air temperatures below 70°F, mechanical problems or other safety issues.
Group rates, chaperone rules and swim lessons
$10 per person
For qualifying government groups from NOVA Parks member jurisdictions.
$13.75 per person
For eligible groups from NOVA Parks member jurisdictions.
$14.50 per person
Scheduled non-jurisdiction group price.
Ages 6+
Group supervision ratio: one adult for every 10 children.
Under age 6
Group supervision ratio: one adult for every five children.
Free chaperone
One adult age 18+ is admitted free for each 10 paying group members under the group rules.
Swim lessons
Great Waves also runs children’s swim instruction through Cameron Run Regional Park. The dedicated current program page lists lessons for ages 3–11, with class requirements and seasonal sessions varying by level.
Great Waves address, phone and Cameron Run park details
Great Waves Waterpark
Address: 4001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304
Phone: (703) 960-0767
Email: Cameron@NVRPA.org
How to plan a Cameron Run Water Park Alexandria visit
Check Great Waves—not just Cameron Run—hours
The regional park can be open while the waterpark is closed. Use the Great Waves Fees & Hours calendar for your exact day.
Determine your jurisdiction rate
If you live in the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, City of Fairfax or City of Falls Church, check the lower member-jurisdiction admission category.
Choose waterpark-only or Play All Day
For a waterpark-only visit, daily admission may be cheaper. If you expect mini golf and repeated batting-cage use, compare the $25 Play All Day option.
Measure children before promising a large slide
Great Waves slides over 10 feet require at least 48 inches. The smaller play-pool slides use their own posted restrictions.
Plan to arrive near opening on high-demand days
Same-day gate sales can stop after capacity is reached. A hot holiday weekend is the wrong day to plan a late arrival if the waterpark is your main reason for visiting.
Check weather and keep the receipt
Thunderstorms can suspend aquatic operations. Keep your receipt because qualifying 30-minute-plus shutdowns use the receipt-based rain-check procedure.
A practical first hour at Great Waves
Be in arrival mode
On hot weekends or holidays, parking and entry should already be part of your plan when the gate opens.
Ticket and family base
Buy the correct admission category, confirm any cabana reservation and choose one regrouping location.
Do a priority attraction
Taller riders can target a large slide while younger children start with the play pool, Kids Zone or splash features.
Regroup before the wave pool
Check sunscreen, hydration and non-swimmer supervision before the group settles into the wave-pool portion of the day.
Search-intent clarification: Cameron Run vs. Great Waves
Cameron Run Regional Park Alexandria
This means the full NOVA Parks recreation property, including Great Waves, mini golf, batting cages, shelters and other seasonal activities.
Cameron Run splash park Alexandria
Most visitors using this phrase mean Great Waves’ Kids Zone, splash pad or the broader Great Waves Waterpark.
Cameron Run Water Park Alexandria VA
The official destination name to use when checking live tickets, hours and rules is Great Waves Waterpark.
Official NOVA Parks pages for the final check
Use these sources immediately before leaving home because hours, capacity status, weather decisions and reservation availability can change after an independent guide is published.
Cameron Run Water Park Alexandria FAQs
What is Cameron Run Water Park in Alexandria officially called?
The waterpark inside Cameron Run Regional Park is officially called Great Waves Waterpark. It is located at 4001 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia.
How much are Cameron Run Water Park tickets in 2026?
For Friday, weekend and holiday visits, Great Waves charges $19.50 jurisdiction or $20.50 non-jurisdiction for guests 48 inches or taller. Guests under 48 inches and adults age 60+ are $16 jurisdiction or $17 non-jurisdiction. Children under age 2 enter free.
Can I buy Great Waves Waterpark daily tickets online?
No. NOVA Parks states that daily Great Waves tickets and Play All Day passes are purchased on-site on the day of the visit. There are no online or advance daily ticket sales.
What are Cameron Run Water Park hours in 2026?
Great Waves uses a seasonal schedule. As of September 2, 2026, weekdays through September 4 are closed and the remaining Labor Day weekend dates—September 5, 6 and 7—are scheduled from 11 AM to 6 PM. Hours can change.
Do Alexandria residents get the lower jurisdiction price?
Residents of the independent City of Alexandria are within a NOVA Parks member jurisdiction. NOVA Parks’ other member jurisdictions are Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, City of Fairfax and City of Falls Church. The park makes the final eligibility determination.
How tall do you have to be for Great Waves’ big waterslides?
NOVA Parks lists Great Waves waterslides over 10 feet as requiring riders to be at least 48 inches tall. The two smaller open slides in the play pool use their own posted rules. General waterslide rules also limit riders to less than 250 pounds.
What does the $25 Cameron Run Play All Day Pass include?
During waterpark season, the $25 Play All Day Pass includes Great Waves admission plus unlimited miniature golf and batting-cage use for the day. The pass is purchased on-site on the day you use it.
Can I bring a cooler or outside food into Great Waves?
Outside food and beverages are generally prohibited inside NOVA Parks waterparks. Baby food and water are allowed. Management can approve exceptions for disability or special-needs situations. Glass containers and chewing gum are prohibited.
Does Great Waves Waterpark give rain checks?
If aquatic operations are suspended for at least 30 minutes before 4 PM, guests can exchange their admission receipt for an all-day rain check. During the final two operating hours, only an After 4 PM rain check is issued. No refunds or early rain checks are provided.
How much are Great Waves cabanas?
The dedicated rental page currently lists standard tiki cabanas at $65 on weekdays and $80 on weekends, with a maximum of eight guests and at least four Play All Day passes required. Larger rental areas currently range from $100 to $150 daily. Verify the final reservation screen because a separate NOVA Parks shelter page still displays an older lower cabana figure.