Arizona summers don’t leave a lot of room for negotiation, and Golfland Sunsplash exists as a direct answer to that problem. Sitting on Hampton Avenue in Mesa, this combination water park and family entertainment center packs a wave pool, a lazy river, a fleet of slides, mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, and a full arcade onto one property, which means you can genuinely spend an entire day here without repeating an activity.
What sets it apart from a standard neighborhood pool is scale. This isn’t a splash pad with a couple of slides bolted on; it’s a legitimate water park with over 30 rides and attractions layered in with the dry-land stuff, so families with kids of wildly different ages and interests can all find something that clicks.
Rides, Slides, and Things to Do
Thunder Bay, the park’s 450,000-gallon wave pool, is the centerpiece for a lot of visitors, and it’s easy to see why once you’re bobbing in the swells on a hot afternoon. Pair it with the Endless River, an 800-foot lazy river, and you’ve got two low-effort ways to cool off between the bigger thrills.
For the adrenaline seekers, Stormrider sends riders down from seven stories up in a four-passenger tube before dumping them into a giant bowl that spins them around before the final splashdown. The Sidewinder is a double-rider half-pipe tube slide that launches you back and forth, while Bonzi offers a straight-up speed slide for anyone who just wants the fastest way down. The Master Blaster water coaster adds uphill sections into the mix, which is a fun surprise if you’ve never ridden one before.
Younger kids and non-thrill-seekers aren’t an afterthought either. Buccaneers Bend activity pool and the one-foot-deep Toddler Tadpole Pool give smaller kids their own space to splash around without getting run over by teenagers barreling down a slide.
On the dry side, the property includes three separate mini-golf courses, Laser Runner laser tag, Fast Car go-karts, bumper boats, bumper cars, and roughly 160 arcade and redemption games. A pizza restaurant on-site means you don’t have to leave the property to refuel, which matters when you’re trying to squeeze in one more slide run before the kids crash.
Atmosphere & Décor
The whole complex reads as classic Arizona water park: lots of open sky, sun-baked concrete walkways, and palm trees doing their best to provide shade between attractions. It’s an outdoor facility through and through, so expect direct sun for most of the day, and plan accordingly with sunscreen and water shoes.
The layout blends the water park and the dry entertainment center almost seamlessly, so you’ll walk past go-kart tracks and mini-golf greens on your way between slides. That mix keeps the energy lively and a little chaotic in the best way, especially in the evening when the go-kart lights and arcade glow take over from the daytime pool scene.
Other Considerations
How much does it cost? General admission for guests 48 inches and taller runs $59.99, with junior admission (ages 3 and up, under 48 inches) and senior admission (60 and older) priced at $52.00. If you’re trying to beat the heat and the budget at the same time, Night Splash tickets are cheaper, at $56.00 on Friday and Saturday nights and $42.00 on select weeknights.
When should I go to avoid the crowds? Weekends and peak summer afternoons draw the biggest crowds and the longest slide lines, so if your schedule allows it, weekday mornings or the Night Splash evening sessions tend to be a noticeably calmer experience.
Is parking an issue? No, parking is free, which is a nice change of pace from a lot of theme parks that nickel-and-dime you before you even walk through the gate.
Is the water park open year-round? No, Sunsplash operates seasonally, so it’s best to check current hours on the website before planning your trip, especially outside the summer months. The broader Golfland entertainment center, with mini golf, the arcade, go-karts, and laser tag, runs on a separate, longer schedule.
Is it good for families with young kids? Yes, the dedicated shallow pools and slower attractions give toddlers and younger children plenty to do away from the bigger slides, and lifeguards keep a close eye on rule-following throughout the park.
Golfland Sunsplash
📍 155 W Hampton Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210
Website: https://www.golfland.com/mesa/
