Mystic Waters
2025 Miner Street, Des Plaines • 847-391-5740
Map and Directions
Mystic Waters Admission Fees
All residents of the City of Des Plaines, regardless of whether or not you live within the boundaries of the park district, pay the resident rate for admission to the pools, and for pool passes.
| Daily Admission, Noon to 6:00 pm | General Admission | Resident Admission |
| Adult | $20.00 | $15.50 |
| Seniors (60+) & Youth (17 and under) | $17.75 | $13.00 |
| Twilight Admission Fees Begin at 6:00pm | General Admission | Resident Admission |
| Adult | $17.25 | $13.00 |
| Seniors (60+) & Youth (17 and under) | $14.50 | $11.75 |
Children 2 and younger are free.
Picnic Fee: $6 for all coolers and bags of food brought into Mystic Waters.
Mystic Waters Hours
Regular Season: June 1–August 11:
Sunday–Thursday: 11:00a–8:00p
Friday and Saturday: 11:00a–9:00p
Post Season: August 17–August 25:
Saturday-Sunday: Noon-7:00p
Special Hours: Thursday July 4, Noon–7:00p
Dates and times are subject to change without notice based on attendance, weather, and staffing.
Updates are posted on the DPParks mobile app.
Parties at Mystic Waters
You can host a Birthday Party or Family Outing at the beautiful Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center. We look forward to working with you, to help make your party a success.
We provide:
• Quick & easy access to the water park for your guests, during open hours. (You must supply us with a guest list, prior to the day of your event.)
• A private party area, which is yours to use for 2 hours.
• A Mystic Waters staff member, to assist you and your guests.
• Catered meals. Includes your choice of hot dogs or pizza (choose from cheese, pepperoni, or sausage pizza); plus popcorn, and a soft drink!
Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, starting on February 1. Available June 8-August 11.
For 2024:
Monday–Friday:
11:15–1:15p •1:30–3:30p • 3:45–5:45p
Saturday and Sunday:
11:15a–1:15p • 1:30–3:30p • 3:45–5:45p • 6:00–8:00p
Rental Fee
Book a party on a weekday and receive a $25 discount!
For residents of the Park District:
$250 for the first 15 guests (10 youth & 2 adults).
For non-residents, the fee is $375 for the first 15 guests (10 youth & 2 adults).
Additional guests are $15 each. Our party area can comfortably hold 40 guests. The maximum allowed is 50.
A $125 deposit is due at the time you make your reservation. The balance is due on the day of your party.
To Reserve Your Date
Please download and complete the Reservations form and return it with your $125 deposit to:
Group Reservations Manager
Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center
515 E. Thacker Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Summer Camp/Group Outings at Mystic Waters
For 2024: Group reservations available Monday–Friday, from June 3 to August 9
Reservations are accepted beginning February 1, and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please include a second choice, in the event your first choice has reached capacity.
IMPORTANT!
Groups with children under 10 years are required to have a 1:5 counselor-to-camper ratio. With children 10 years and over the ratio is 1:10. Please note: Groups who do not meet these safety minimums will be refused admission.
LUNCH
Groups can bring their own sack lunch or purchase items from the Island Café Lunch times will be assigned on the day of your trip. The Island Café opens at 11:30a.
PAYMENT
A $50 deposit for each visit is due with each reservation form. Requests are not processed without a deposit. Your deposit will be applied to the amount due at the door. Balance is due at the door on the date of your trip. You may also pre-pay the amount due. Refunds are only issued for amounts exceeding $10.00. Please make checks payable to the Des Plaines Park District.
CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
To complete your reservation, the Des Plaines Park District needs a copy of your Certificate of Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000.00 (one million dollars) that must include the following language: “Additional insured for 1 million dollars which is to include the Des Plaines Park District, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents.” This document must also list your specific rental dates.
Note about Insurance: Organizations that are members of the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA) are exempt.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation of your reservation will be e-mailed to you, along with other information about your visit.
REFUND POLICY
Cancellations made by you will result in possible rescheduling or forfeit of your $50 deposit. Cancellations made by the Des Plaines Park District due to weather or unforeseen circumstances will result in possible rescheduling or a full refund of your deposit.
To Reserve Your Date
Please download and complete the Mystic Group Form and return it with your $50 deposit to:
Group Reservations Manager
Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center
515 E. Thacker Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016
ABOUT MYSTIC WATERS
One of the largest and most beautiful waterparks in Northern Illinois, Mystic Waters is a favorite destination for families throughout the Chicagoland area.
Featuring two exciting 37-foot tall slides – some of the highest in the area, and a variety of fun spaces, Mystic Waters is filled with activities for all ages. After braving the big slides of Otter’s Run, enjoy the daring drop slides and cliff dives in Sea Lion Falls. Need to relax? Mystic Waters offers the Crocodile Cove lazy river, with 550 feet of inner tube floating fun, and the expansive Dolphin Bay: a zero-depth leisure pool where you can enjoy fountains, jet sprays, and a child-size dolphin slide.
For the youngest (and the young at heart), Beluga Beach is just right. It features water-spray stands on a non-slip surface with no free-standing water, making it an enjoyable introduction to water park fun for tots and other non-swimmers. Beluga Beach includes all kinds of splashtacular fun, with multiple water sprays and a very cool jungle gym.
The Island Café is a perfect place for lunch, refreshments, and snacks.
Mystic Waters Facility Policies
Coolers and Bags with Food: Coolers and bags with food are allowed inside the facility. They are to be kept on the grassy picnic area near the concession stand; coolers and bags with food are not allowed on the pool deck. All coolers and bags will be checked at the gate for glass, alcohol, knives, etc.
Chairs: Lounge chairs are available, on a first-come, first-served basis. Camp-style chairs, which fold up into a sleeve, may be brought inside the facility and used on any grassy area.
Strollers: Strollers, wagons, or other wheeled carriers are not allowed in the facility. Infant carriers are welcome.
Credit Cards: Payment for admission and concession purchases can be made with a credit card. We accept Visa, Master Card, and Discover.
Lockers: Lockers are available for pool patrons to use for free. You must use your own lock. We have some Master Combination Padlocks available to purchase for $6. Mystic Waters encourages everyone to lock any valuables in the lockers or return them to their vehicles, as the park district is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Goggles: Will be available to purchase at Mystic Waters.
Slide Restrictions: Metal objects, eyeglasses/goggles, or jewelry are not permitted on any of the slides. Staff is not responsible for lost or misplaced personal belongings.
Lifejackets: Lifejackets can be checked out for free on a first-come, first-served basis. They should be used only by non-swimmers. Be sure to return the lifejacket at the end of your stay, so that it is available for others. Only US Coast Guard Approved personal use flotation devices are allowed in the facility. Any child wearing a lifejacket must be within one arms-length of a parent or guardian at all times and will not be allowed on any of our water slide attractions.
Additional OUTDOOR POOL RULES
Important Information About Weather-Related Pool Openings and Closings
• Weather-driven changes to the daily opening and closing times for all outdoor pools are always at the discretion of the pool manager.
• Check the DPParks app, under Conditions, to see the current open/closed status. Download the app here.
• To help determine changes to outdoor pool openings and closings when the weather is cool or inclement, park district and pool staff use local apps including Weather.com, Weather Bug, and Weather Underground.
• For the safety of our guests and staff, we temporarily close an outdoor pool when the ThorGuard Lightening Detection System sounds a warning or when thunder is heard or when lightning is spotted. Weather conditions are then reevaluated every 45–60 minutes. We open again as soon as the pool manager determines that it is safe to do so. We do not issue rain checks.
• We typically close an outdoor pool early when there are fewer than 20 swimmers present at Chippewa Pool for an hour, or fewer than 50 swimmers present at Mystic Waters for an hour. We also close when the temperature drops below 70 degrees and is projected to remain below 70 degrees for the rest of the day.
• If the temperature is near 70 degrees at opening time, an outdoor pool opens for one hour so the pool manager can determine attendance and assess the forecast.
