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A popular Nevada water park is closing after 12 years, with its operator consolidating Las Vegas-area operations at another location and offering refunds to eligible season-pass holders.
Cowabunga Bay in Henderson, which opened in 2014, will not reopen for the 2027 summer season, according to an announcement on the park’s official website.
The company said it made the “difficult decision” to close the park and will instead focus its Las Vegas-area water park operations on Cowabunga Canyon in Summerlin, which will remain open.
“After 12 unforgettable years, we’ve made the difficult decision that Cowabunga Bay will not reopen for the 2027 Summer,” the company said in a letter to guests. “We know this news may be disappointing, especially for the families who have made visiting us part of their Summer traditions.”
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Cade Vereen, the park’s vice president of operations, told local station Fox 5 that the decision came down to consolidating operations at Cowabunga Canyon in Summerlin, about 25 miles west of Henderson.
“Moving the operation and focusing at the Canyon location in Summerlin really was kind of the best decision for the park,” he said.
The company did not disclose specific financial reasons for the closure. The decision leaves the future of the Henderson property uncertain, with ownership still evaluating what to do with the site.
Cowabunga Bay said it has no additional plans to announce for another water park in Henderson.
“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,” Henderson resident Greco Arias told local station KTNV.
Another visitor expressed concern about the impact on families with children.
“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 told Fox 5.
The 23-acre park featured more than 20 slides, pools and other attractions and was named runner-up in USA Today’s 2025 10 best outdoor water parks.
For customers who already purchased 2027 season passes, the company said those passes will remain valid at Cowabunga Canyon in Summerlin without requiring an exchange.
Customers who purchased passes covering both parks can continue using them at Cowabunga Canyon or request a refund. Customers seeking refunds must submit their requests through the company’s online form by Dec. 31, 2026.
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The company has not announced how many workers could be affected by the shutdown. Its FAQ directs employees interested in jobs at Cowabunga Canyon to the company’s human resources department. FOX Business reached out to Cowabunga Vegas for additional information about the closure.
“While our chapter in Henderson is coming to a close, our story in Las Vegas is far from over,” the company said.
