Wild Rivers, Water park in Irvine, California, US
Wild Rivers is a water park in Irvine, California featuring more than 20 slides and attractions spread across grounds near the junction of Interstate 405 and Interstate 133. The offerings range from gentle family slides to steeper runs for visitors seeking higher speeds.
The park opened its gates in July 1986 and quickly became a popular summer destination for families in Southern California. After closing in 2011, reconstruction began and led to reopening in 2022.
The park's name recalls the original Wild Rivers, which opened in July 1986 on the former Lion Country Safari zoo land; its first large rides were Congo River Rapids, Rattlesnake and Python. The rebuilt site, about 50% larger, held a soft opening on July 10, 2022 and a grand opening on July 29, 2022. The entrance arch carries the name in blue letters with green leaf designs at the right end.
Visitors can rent private cabanas equipped with refrigerators, ceiling fans and lockers, offering a comfortable retreat during the day. Sunscreen is recommended since some waiting areas for attractions remain uncovered and California sun can be intense during summer months.
The original 1986 park stood on the Lion Country Safari site, a drive-through zoo that went bankrupt in 1984. Its owner still held 13 years of a 29-year lease and subleased the land to Wild Rivers. The park closed on September 25, 2011, and the rebuilt version, about 50% larger, opened in 2022.
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