Superior Shores facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Superior Shores |
|
|---|---|
Logo used since 2026
|
|
| Location | Valleyfair, Shakopee, Minnesota, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°47′48″N 93°27′01″W / 44.79673°N 93.45014°W |
| Owner | EPR Properties |
| Operated by | Enchanted Parks |
| Opened | 1983 |
| Previous names | Liquid Lightning Whitewater Country Soak City |
| Operating season | Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day |
| Area | 7 acres (28,000 m2) |
| Pools | 4 pools |
| Water slides | 12 water slides |
Superior Shores is a fun outdoor water park located in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. It's part of the exciting Valleyfair amusement park. This water park is owned by EPR Properties and managed by Enchanted Parks. The best part is that your ticket to Valleyfair also lets you into Superior Shores!
Contents
The Story of Superior Shores
How the Water Park Grew
The very first part of the water park was the Panic Falls slide complex, built in 1983. Back then, the water ride area was known as 'Liquid Lightning'. As more cool rides were added, its name changed to Whitewater Country Waterpark in 1992.
Later, in 2008, the park got a new name: Soak City. This name matched other water parks owned by Cedar Fair. On September 11, 2014, Valleyfair shared exciting news about a big expansion for Soak City. This included new slide complexes like Breaker's Plunge and Breaker's Pipeline. They also added Barefoot Beach, a fun splash pad for younger kids, and sand volleyball courts.
Exciting New Changes
At the end of the 2023 season, the Raging Rapids ride closed for good. Then, on August 5, 2025, Valleyfair announced that several other popular attractions – Hurricane Falls, Panic Falls Body & Speed Slides, Ripple Rapids, and Splash Station – closed permanently after August 10, 2025. These rides were replaced with brand-new experiences.
On April 28, 2026, the park revealed its new name: Superior Shores! This big change also brought a brand-new slide complex and a wonderful new area just for little kids.
Exciting Rides and Attractions
Superior Shores covers about 7 acres (28,328 square meters) of fun! It has a big wave pool, twelve thrilling waterslides, one exciting raft ride, and a relaxing lazy river.
| Name | Opened | Description | Height Requirement | Fun Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barefoot Beach | 2015 | A splash pad designed by Vortex Aquatic Structures, perfect for small children to play safely. | Under 54 inches (137 cm) tall or with an adult. | 1 (Gentle) |
| Breakers Bay | 2009 | A huge wave pool by WaveTek, holding 350,000 gallons of water! Get ready for some big waves. | Over 42 inches (107 cm) tall or with an adult. Kids under 52 inches (132 cm) must wear a life jacket. | 4 (Exciting) |
| Coho Curl, Surgin' Sturgeon, & Wild Walleye | 2026 | Three awesome inner tube slides from WhiteWater West. Grab a tube and get ready to twist and turn! | Over 42 inches (107 cm) tall. | 4 (Exciting) |
| Fall River Run | 1993 | A thrilling 70-foot (21-meter) tall raft ride by WhiteWater for up to four people. It was once known as Hurricane Falls. | Over 46 inches (117 cm) tall. | 5 (Very Thrilling) |
| Great Lakes Launchers | 2015 | Two super-fast body slides by WhiteWater, 65 feet (20 meters) tall! These include AquaDrop and Flatline Loop slides for a freefall experience. They were previously called Breakers Pipeline. | Over 48 inches (122 cm) tall. | 5 (Very Thrilling) |
| Pike Plunge | 2026 | A dual-lane matt racer slide where you can race your friends to the bottom! | Over 42 inches (107 cm) tall. | 4 (Exciting) |
| Ripple Rapids | 1993 | A relaxing 1,200-foot (366-meter) long lazy river. Float along and enjoy the gentle current. | Over 42 inches (107 cm) tall or with an adult. Kids under 48 inches (122 cm) must wear a life jacket. | 2 (Relaxing) |
| Splash Station | 1993 | A fun, zero-depth water playground structure by WhiteWater, perfect for kids to splash and play. | Under 54 inches (137 cm) tall or with an adult. | 1 (Gentle) |
| Superior Plunge | 2015 | Two intense 90-foot (27-meter) tall Freefall body slides by WhiteWater. Get ready for a big drop! These were formerly known as Breakers Plunge. | Over 48 inches (122 cm) tall. | 4 (Exciting) |
Past Attractions (No Longer Here)
Here are some of the rides that were once part of the water park but have since closed:
- Raging Rapids (1983 – 2023): This was a single-person raft ride with waterfalls, rapids, and exciting twists and turns. It was taken down before the 2024 season.
- Panic Falls Speed Slides (1988 – 2025): These were two 60-foot (18-meter) tall speed slides by WhiteWater that offered a thrilling freefall experience.
- Panic Falls Body Slides (1983 – 2025): These three body slides, also 60 feet (18 meters) tall, were made by Technetic Industries. They were originally known as Liquid Lightning.
