OKC offers a variety of ways to keep cool during the ‘Dogs Days’ of summer

The summer of 2021 has been a very warm and extremely muggy one so far, so keeping your body as cool as possible is the name of the game over the next couple of months. What better way to keep cool outdoors than by enjoying Oklahoma City’s waterparks and abundance of splashpads and spraygrounds scattered throughout the metro.

If you prefer a larger theme-park setting with a variety of water rides and excursions, two Six Flags-owned amusement parks, Hurricane Harbor and Frontier City , are waiting to hear from you! Hurricane Harbor, which is located in west Oklahoma City off Interstate 40, boasts more than 15 water rides for people of all ages and comfort levels. Thrill seekers may want to try out the more extreme water rides, including Wahoo Racer, Dive Bomb or the Bermuda Triangle, while those who prefer a more tranquil, relaxing retreat may want to check Hurricane Harbor’s more family-friendly rides, including Caribbean Cove, Castaway Creek or Splashwater Island. Hurricane Harbor is open daily throughout the summer but be sure to check the latest park hours by visiting their website.

Although the majority of its rides are land based, Frontier City, another Six Flags property located in northeast Oklahoma City, has several water rides that families have enjoyed over the years, including the Wild West Water Works (the largest water works structure in Oklahoma!) and the Gulley Washer, a 66-foot-tall tower with three enclosed water slides.

The Oklahoma City area is also blessed with an abundance of aquatic centers, community pools, splashpads and spraygrounds where kids of all ages – even those young at heart – can enjoy the refreshing splash of cool water on a hot, summer day. Oklahoma City’s two aquatic centers, Earlywine Family Aquatic Center and Will Rogers Family Aquatic Center, are open this summer as well as its two community pools, Woodson and Northeast community pools, and 17 spraygrounds sprinkled throughout the city. Please check the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department website at okc.gov to learn more about these facilities and their hours of operation.

Another popular hangout spot to get soaked (that’s only if you want to!) is Scissortail Sprayground located at the new Scissortail Park in the heart of the Oklahoma City’s Downtown Business District. You will soon discover that this sprayground is quickly become a hit with both local residents and out-of-town visitors alike! To see what other water adventures are available at the new downtown park, check out scissortailpark.org.