The 20 best water rides at America’s theme parks

Rapids, flumes, chutes, and water coasters — ranked. Pack the ponchos (or don’t, and embrace it). Every entry lists its height requirement so you know before you queue whether the whole crew can soak together.

#RideParkHeight
1 Timber Mountain Log Ride Knott's Berry Farm Any height
2 Krakatau Aqua Coaster Universal Volcano Bay 42"+
3 Tiana's Bayou Adventure Magic Kingdom 40"+
4 Jurassic Park River Adventure Universal Islands of Adventure 42"+
5 Grizzly River Run Disney California Adventure 42"+
6 Tiana's Bayou Adventure Disneyland 40"+
7 Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges Universal Islands of Adventure 42"+
8 Ko'okiri Body Plunge Universal Volcano Bay 48"+
9 Summit Plummet Disney's Blizzard Beach 48"+
10 Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls Universal Islands of Adventure 44"+
11 Infinity Falls SeaWorld Orlando 42"+
12 El Aserradero Six Flags Over Texas Any height
13 Daredevil Falls Dollywood 42"+
14 TeAwa The Fearless River Universal Volcano Bay 42"+
15 Ihu's Breakaway Falls Aquatica Orlando 48"+
16 Crush 'n' Gusher Disney's Typhoon Lagoon 48"+
17 Congo River Rapids Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 42"+
18 Catapult Falls SeaWorld San Antonio 42"+
19 Riptide Race Aquatica Orlando 42"+
20 Colossal Curl Adventure Island 48"+

Rankings come from Rideable's ride-by-ride grades: every attraction is judged against the best of its own kind, with Florida parks graded first-hand and national parks by research consensus. Disagree? Tell us why.