Nevada water park Cowabunga Bay shuts down after 12 years — leaving locals furious

A Nevada water park will shutter its doors next year after more than a decade — leaving local families furious over the “difficult decision.”

Cowabunga Bay in Henderson, Nev., about five miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip, announced Monday that it had made the “difficult decision” to shut down.

“After 12 unforgettable years of making summer memories together, Cowabunga Bay will not reopen for the 2027 season,” the park said in a Facebook post.

“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.”

“From first trips down the slides to countless summer days spent with family and friends, we’re grateful to have been part of so many special memories,” the statement added.

Cade Vereen, the park’s vice president of operations, said the decision came down to consolidating the company’s operations at its sister property, Cowabunga Canyon, in Summerlin — about 25 miles west of Henderson.

“The decision ultimately came down to streamlining our operations,” Vereen told Fox 5 Tuesday.

“Moving the operation and focusing at the Canyon location in Summerlin really was kind of the best decision for the park,” he added.

Vereen also ruled out a specific event as the reason for the closure.

But the explanation has done little to ease concerns among locals.

Jim, a frequent visitor who took his grandson to Cowabunga Bay, said the company needs to explain what it means by streamlining operations.

“What does streamline mean?” he asked the outlet. “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?”

Another guest lamented the loss of a place for children to spend their summer days.

“There’s not much for kids to do in this town as it is, and to take away this … it just makes it tough for the parents to find things to do with the kids, you know?” the visitor said.

Henderson resident Greco Arias echoed similar sentiments.

“Seeing it go is like the saddest thing. It’s very limiting. Cowabunga Bay was one of the biggest things for all ages, like for kiddos, for adults … Cowabunga Bay was one of the biggest things in summer,” Arias told KTNV.

The announcement also sparked an outpouring of disappointment across social media.

“Sure, take this away from kids and families in Henderson. This was the original park. These families are not going to drive out to Summerlin. This is awful,” one person wrote.

The 23-acre park featured more than 20 slides, pools and other attractions. It was named runner-up in USA Today’s 10Best ranking of outdoor water parks in 2025.

The park was still promoting 2027 season passes on Facebook as recently as Oct. 1. Those passes will be honored at Cowabunga Canyon for the entire season, the company said.

Cowabunga Bay’s operator, the Pyek Group, also runs the Typhoon Texas water parks in Houston and Austin, as well as Daytona Lagoon in Florida.

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