Las Vegas, Nevada: Cowabunga Bay in Henderson Will Not Reopen in 2027 After 12 Years

Cowabunga Bay, the Henderson water park that has filled Las Vegas valley summers since 2014, will not reopen for the 2027 season. The park announced the decision on Monday, October 26, ending a 12 year run at 900 Galleria Drive, about five miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip.

"After 12 unforgettable years of making summer memories together, Cowabunga Bay will not reopen for the 2027 season," the park wrote in its announcement. "This was a difficult decision, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every guest, team member, and partner who has been part of Cowabunga Bay's story." The park covers 23 acres with more than 20 slides, pools and attractions, and in 2025 it was named runner-up on the USA Today 10Best list for Best Outdoor Water Park, PEOPLE reported.

Why the park is closing

Cade Vereen, the park's vice president of operations, told FOX 5 the decision came down to running one park instead of two. "The decision ultimately came down to streamlining our operations," Vereen said. "Moving the operation and focusing at the Canyon location in Summerlin really was kind of the best decision for the park." Asked whether the closure was a financial issue, a water concern or the result of an incident, he said there were no incidents behind it. The company will focus on its sister park, Cowabunga Canyon in Summerlin, at 7055 South Fort Apache Road near Warm Springs Road, about 25 miles west of Henderson. Cowabunga Canyon, which was renovated and rebranded in 2022, will open as usual for the summer of 2027.

What pass holders need to know

Families who already bought 2027 Cowabunga Vegas season passes will not lose them. The park's closure page says 2027 passes, including combo passes, will be honored at Cowabunga Canyon for the whole 2027 season with no exchange needed, and pass benefits such as free parking and Bring-A-Friend tickets carry over. Anyone who bought a two-park pass can instead ask for a refund through a form on the park's website. Combo pass refunds are full refunds, refund requests are due by December 31, 2026, and approved refunds go back to the original payment method. Eligible unused 2027 tickets will be honored at Cowabunga Canyon, gift cards stay valid there, and the group sales team will contact people who booked 2027 birthday parties, cabanas or group outings at the Henderson park about moving the booking or taking a refund.

How Henderson families took the news

The explanation did not settle the park's regulars. Jim, a frequent visitor who often took his grandson, told FOX 5 the company owes families a clearer answer. "What does streamline mean?" he asked. "Now, I can see if it closed down, you know, for economic reasons, maybe a water shortage, you know? But whoever owns this needs to put out a statement. What does streamline mean?" Online, one parent called the news devastating and said the park was the only thing to do in the summer. Annie Morris, who lives near the Henderson park, told FOX 5 she worries about parking, congestion and safety at the Summerlin site next summer, and another guest said there is already not much for kids to do in the area.

The park says the Galleria Drive property will be maintained and secured while ownership decides its future. No plans have been announced for the site, and the company has shared no update on moving any Henderson attractions to Summerlin. The Cowabunga Bay website stays up through November 19, 2026, and then redirects to Cowabunga Canyon.