Best Of

Best Water Slides In Minnesota

June 18, 2016 / 7:00 AM CDT / CBS Minnesota

Summer is here. Minnesota's abundance (or overabundance) of lakes make it easy to take a swim. There is one thing that most lakes don't offer, however: water slides. Everyone knows that sliding at top speed into the ultimate splash is one of the best ways to enjoy the water. It doesn't matter how old you are, a fantastic water slide creates an unforgettable summer experience. Here are a few of the best in Minnesota.

St. Louis Park Aquatic Park
3700 Monterey Dr
St Louis Park, MN 55416
(952) 924-2540
www.stlouispark.org/aquatic-park

These water slides are not for the faint of heart. This isn't just some quick dip into the kiddie pool. There are slides that will show your true worth as a human being, test your mettle and will leave you with the experience of a lifetime. Okay, maybe it's not that serious. But the two drop slides, and two winding slides that start from almost four-stories in the air, are certainly some of the most exciting on this list. Entry is $9.50, but if you come after 4:00 p.m. admission just $5.

Como Regional Park Pool
1151 Wynne Ave
St Paul, MN 55108
(651) 489-0378
www.comozooconservatory.org

This public pool has it all. Lanes to swim laps, a lazy river to float at your leisure, a wading pool for the youngsters, man made bluffs from which to dive, a zip line that takes you over and into the water and yes, a pretty epic water slide. You can slide down solo, or grab friends and family to make it a group experience. Admission is $7, but there are group packages as well. Once you get in the water, you won't want to leave.

Cascade Bay
1360 Civic Center Dr
Eagan, MN 55122
(651) 675-5577
www.cityofeagan.com

Recently voted the Best Water Park by WCCO viewers, Cascade Bay certainly does have a lot to offer. Here you'll fine more than just one, or two, or three or four water slides, you'll find five. If you're looking for the most intense, make sure to hit the green one first, but there are slides for any speed and experience. You can slide down a tube into the lazy river to relax, or slide off the side of a pirate ship as a modern-day "walk the plank." One thing is for sure, you'll never be bored. Admission is $8, and the season pass is a good idea if you think you'll go back often.

Bunker Beach
701 County Rd A
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
(763) 767-2895
www.bunkerbeach.com

It's the largest outdoor pool in Minnesota, so you would expect the water slides to be on point. Bunker Beach doesn't disappoint. Six water slides (yes, six!) give you plenty of options for going fast, slow or somewhere in between. You'll twist and turn, dip and dive before hitting the water. Make sure to try all six before picking your favorite. It is a little more expensive than the other slides we found, with a $15 admission charge and a charge for lockers, but with all of the amenities (and those slides!) it's worth it. Plus, after 4:00 p.m. the price drops down to $11.

Richfield Outdoor Pool
630 66th St E
Richfield, MN 55423
(612) 861-9150
www.cityofrichfield.org

This outdoor pool, located just outside of Minneapolis, features a behemoth double water slide that will have you wondering how you could have ever slide down anything else before. Race to the top with a friend and then see who can get down to the bottom first (it is a double slide for a reason) for ultimate bragging rights. Admission is $9, but you can knock a buck off of that if you go after 4:00 p.m.

Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.