Bunker Beach

Bunker Beach sits on 65 acres in Coon Rapids and feels more like a beach resort than your typical Minnesota water park. The main draw is the massive wave pool that actually generates decent waves every few minutes. Kids spend hours jumping and diving into them while parents float nearby on tubes.

The lazy river winds around a good chunk of the property and takes about 15 minutes to complete if you're not stopping to grab a drink. It's wide enough that you won't get stuck behind slow floaters, which happens at smaller parks. The slide complex has something for different comfort levels.

The body slides give you that stomach-drop feeling, while the tube slides let families ride together. The kids area is well thought out with smaller slides, dumping buckets, and shallow water that parents can actually sit in comfortably. What sets Bunker Beach apart is the actual beach.

Real sand surrounds a swimming area that feels like you're at a lake instead of a chlorinated pool. Kids build sandcastles while parents relax on beach chairs. It's genuinely relaxing in a way most water parks aren't.

The food is typical water park fare but the portions are generous. I'd recommend the nachos if you're sharing. Get there when they open at 11am during summer weekends or you'll spend the first hour hunting for chairs.

The parking lot fills up fast on hot days. Cabanas book up weeks in advance for weekends but are usually available weekdays. Bring reef-safe sunscreen since you'll be outside all day, and consider water shoes for the beach area.

This place works best for families with kids who want to spend a full day. Teenagers might get bored since there aren't extreme thrill rides, but the wave pool keeps most people entertained. The beach element makes it feel like a mini vacation without leaving the Twin Cities area.