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7 Super Awesome Lazy Rivers You Can Float Around In During The Summer Heat

It’s getting very, very hot in here.

So let’s take a break from scorching temps for a while and cool off! Sounds pretty good, right? Sure, you could head to the pool and splash around, or even hit up a lake for a little fresh-water fun. But my favorite way to chill out in the summer heat is floating on a tube in an old-school lazy river.

I like the idea of the only goal of the day is staying upright in an innertube. It sounds like a nice break from the hustle and bustle that is otherwise daily life. Throw on some sunscreen, grab your towel and water bottle, and meet me at the lazy river, friends!

Close-to-home Lazy Rivers

Groveport Aquatic Center

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The Groveport Aquatic Center is such a central Ohio gem. The lazy river is 450 feet long and has tumble buckets that occasionally pour water as you’re floating along. There’s plenty of fun for the whole family at the water park, including water slides, an in-water playground, a kids area, and a zero-entry pool. Right now, the lazy river is only open on weekends.
Price: Day passes are $8 for residents and $14 for non-residents. (You’ll need a Groveport Recreation Department Issued Identification Card which is free for residents and $2 for non-residents)
Location: 7370 Groveport Rd, Groveport, OH 43125

Zoombezi Bay

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Spending the day in the lazy river at Zoombezi Bay is always a good idea. Especially if the lazy river in question is 21+. At Crocktail Creek, you can sip on a tasty, alcoholic beverage while you meander through the 850-foot pool. If you’re looking for a more family-friendly adventure, you can always check out the Roaring Rapids Action River, which isn’t quite so lazy!
Price: Online admission prices are the way to go at Zoombezi Bay. Adults are $39.99, children 3-9 are $34.99, and kids under 3 are free! Admission also includes your ticket to the Columbus Zoo!
Location: 10101 Riverside Dr, Powell, OH 43065

Highlands Park Aquatic Center


Looking for a shorter, but super fun, dip in a lazy river? Head to the Highlands Park Aquatic Center in Westerville! The 260-foot lazy river is full of gentle twists and turns, with a slow current, perfect for working on your tan. The aquatic center also features a speed and body slide tower, a zero-entry toddler pool with a simulated-rock slide, a spray playground, and an eight-lane, 25-meter pool with diving well.
Price: Day passes are $20 for non-residents and $10 for residents
Location: 245 S. Spring Rd. Westerville, Ohio 43081

Hilliard Family Aquatic Center

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Float all of your cares away at the Hilliard Family Aquatic Center Lazy river. Admission to the aquatic center gets you access to all of the cool amenities, including this floating paradise. Visitor passes are required for daily admission for all visitors and are valid at both locations. It’s also the cheapest lazy river for non-residents in the area, so if saving money is your thing, this is your place!

Price: Daily admission is $15 for those ages 3 and up!
Location: 3850 Veterans Memorial Dr. Hilliard, Ohio 43026

Worth-the-drive Lazy Rivers

Want to make a mini-vacation out of your lazy river quest? You totally can.

Splash River at Kings Island

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I’m a Kings Island girl, through and through, and that especially applies to the waterpark. I have a lot of fond memories going here as a kid. Those mostly involve zooming down waterslides. But now, I’m here for the chill, and the best place to do that is Splash River. If you want to make the most of your day, spend the morning riding roller coasters and spend the sweltering Ohio afternoon floating around. You won’t regret it.
Price: Daily passes to Kings Island start at $45, but there are always tons of sales and deals on admission, including special rates for Columbus residents! Click here for more details.
Location: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH 45034

Cedar Creek at Cedar Point

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Heading up north? Why not add in a day of carefree bliss on Cedar Creek at Cedar Point Shores! Dip your hands and feet in the cool water as you float along in an innertube, and after a few times around, you can hop out and check out all of the other wonderful features Cedar Point Shores has to offer.
Price: Daily admission to Cedar Point Shores starts at $49.99. To see more ticket options, click here.
Location: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870

Lazy River at Pioneer Waterland

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The lazy river at Pioneer Waterland is just one of the attractions that make it worth a day trip up to Cleveland. If you get sick of floating (and that’s a big if) you can check out the water slides or the natural, spring fed area where you can race through a 60-foot aquatic obstacle course.
Price: Discounted tickets start at $24. Get more info here.
Location: 10661 Kile Rd. | Chardon, Ohio