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Ocean Dunes Waterpark at Upton Hill with kids
Quick answer
Ocean Dunes Waterpark is a park or outdoor outing in Arlington, VA for toddlers, ages 4 to 6, and ages 7 to 10. Free admission applies only to the listed ages. Details were checked on July 24, 2026 using the official source from NOVA Parks Ocean Dunes Waterpark.
Seasonal water park with slides, waterfalls, squirters, and a 500 gallon dumping bucket. Admission is priced by height and day; the official page does not assign individual attractions by age.
- Hours
- Jun 20 to Aug 23, Mon to Thu 11 AM to 6 PM, Fri to Sun 11 AM to 7 PM, Aug 24 to 28 weekdays 4 to 7 PM, Aug 24 to Sep 4 weekends 11 AM to 6 PM, Sep 5 to 7 daily 11 AM to 6 PM
- Admission
- Under age 2 free, Weekday $9.50 under 42 inches or $12 at least 42 inches, Weekend and holiday $12 under 42 inches or $16 at least 42 inches, Weekday after 4 PM $7, Play All Day pass $20
- Bathrooms
- Waterpark restrooms
- Parking
- Shared Upton Hill lot, Estimated capacity: 150–185 spaces (main marked Upton Hill public lot)
- Reservations
- All daily tickets sold onsite on visit day, No online or advance daily sales, Capacity can limit entry
- Stroller friendly
- Yes
- Good for
- All ages · Arlington, VA
- Address
- 6060 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205
- Phone
- 703-534-3437
- Planning note
- These are the main summer hours from June 20 through August 23. Later season hours vary and tickets are sold onsite.
What works by age
- Ages 1 to 3 High energy
Children under age 2 enter free. The official page does not publish age assignments for individual features, so choose only water play that fits the child and keep an adult within reach.
- Ages 4 to 6 High energy
Admission is priced below or above 42 inches, but that price threshold is not a promise that every attraction fits the child.
- Ages 7 to 10 High energy
Older children can compare the posted rules onsite before choosing slides, squirters, or the dumping bucket area.
Will this work for your family?
- Best for
- A paid waterpark outing when the family wants slides and pool play without driving far from Arlington.
- Choose something else when
- Choose a free sprayground when ticket cost, capacity, or managing different swimming abilities feels like too much.
- Arrival plan
- Daily admission is sold onsite only, with no online or advance daily sales. Arrive with a separate Upton Hill plan because admission is not guaranteed when the park reaches capacity.
- Sibling fit
- Different water features can cover several ages, but adults need a clear supervision plan around slides and pools.
Do this: Shallow Start, Bigger Water After
Estimated duration: 2 hours
- Read the onsite feature rules and choose one starting area that fits the least confident swimmer.
- Let each child choose one permitted feature while adults keep the supervision plan clear.
- Finish with one shared water stop before changing into dry clothes.
Bring: Swimsuits, Towels, Dry clothes, Water, Sun protection, Onsite admission payment
Easy exit: Choose one last gentle water stop, change into dry clothes, and wrap up for lunch or the next errand.
Quick parent answers
Is Ocean Dunes the same as the free Upton Hill playground?
No. The waterpark requires paid admission, while the surrounding park and playground can be visited separately.
Can families buy daily tickets ahead?
No. NOVA Parks says all daily tickets are purchased onsite on the visit day, with no online or advance daily sales.
Does the 42 inch price threshold guarantee slide access?
No. It sets the admission price. Families still need to follow the posted rule for each attraction.
Before you go
Main and late season 2026 hours
From June 20 through August 23, Ocean Dunes opens Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Friday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM. From August 24 through August 28, weekday hours shrink to 4 to 7 PM while Saturday and Sunday run 11 AM to 6 PM. From August 29 through September 4 it closes weekdays and opens weekends from 11 AM to 6 PM. Labor Day weekend, September 5 through September 7, runs 11 AM to 6 PM. NOVA Parks says hours can change.
Daily admission and the 42 inch price line
Children under age 2 enter free. On nonholiday weekdays, admission is $9.50 under 42 inches or $12 at least 42 inches. On weekends and holidays, it is $12 under 42 inches or $16 at least 42 inches. Guests age 60 and older use the lower price for that day, and weekday entry after 4 PM is $7. The 42 inch line sets the ticket price; it does not by itself guarantee access to a particular slide or feature.
Tickets, capacity, and the $20 combined pass
All daily tickets are sold onsite on the visit day. NOVA Parks explicitly says there are no online or advance daily sales, and admission can stop when the park reaches capacity. The $20 Play All Day pass includes unlimited same day use of Ocean Dunes, miniature golf, and the batting cage. An annual waterpark pass also does not guarantee entry at capacity.
What the official page promises
Ocean Dunes publishes water slides, waterfalls, squirters, and a 500 gallon dumping bucket. Its current public pages do not assign every feature to an age group, so choose from the posted onsite rules and the least confident swimmer rather than treating the admission height band as an attraction clearance.
Parking and the free Upton Hill fallback
Ocean Dunes is inside Upton Hill Regional Park at 6060 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington. The listing uses the shared Upton Hill lot. Playdate NoVA's displayed parking capacity is a dated Google Maps estimate, not an official NOVA Parks count. If the waterpark reaches capacity or the paid visit no longer fits, the separate Upton Hill playground and trails can still make a free park outing.
Group prices
Scheduled groups of 20 or more pay $8.75 per person from member jurisdictions or $9.50 per person from nonmember jurisdictions. Parks and recreation departments from member jurisdictions pay $6.50 per person. Use the separate NOVA Parks group application because these are not ordinary advance daily tickets.
What parents are saying
Daily tickets are sold only onsite, so a hot weekend still carries a capacity risk. Use the exact height and day price before promising the water park, and keep Upton Hill's separate free playground as the easier fallback.
Parent questions
How much is Ocean Dunes Waterpark in 2026?
Children under age 2 enter free. Weekday admission is $9.50 under 42 inches or $12 at least 42 inches. Weekend and holiday admission is $12 under 42 inches or $16 at least 42 inches. Weekday admission after 4 PM is $7.
Can families buy Ocean Dunes tickets online?
No. NOVA Parks says all daily tickets are purchased onsite on the day of the visit, with no online or advance daily sales.
What does the Ocean Dunes Play All Day pass include?
The $20 pass includes unlimited same day use of the waterpark, miniature golf, and batting cage.
Is entry guaranteed with an annual waterpark pass?
No. NOVA Parks says an annual pass does not guarantee admission when the waterpark is at capacity.
Does being 42 inches tall guarantee access to every slide?
No. The 42 inch threshold controls admission pricing. Follow the posted rule for each attraction onsite.
Where is Ocean Dunes Waterpark?
It is inside Upton Hill Regional Park at 6060 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington.
What can families do if Ocean Dunes is full?
Use the separate free Upton Hill playground and trails, or choose another current water-play option from the Northern Virginia comparison.