Welcome to Deep River County Park
Park open 7 a.m. - dusk, all year round
Historic Grist Mill and Visitor Center open
Deep River County
Line Road GPS coordinates: 41.483097,-87.22008
Deep River Grist
Mill GPS coordinates: 41.475944,-87.222285
Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Friday & Holidays
May 1 - October 31
DEEP RIVER WATERPARK
9001 East U.S. Highway 30
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day (closed weekdays end of August)
Ice Skating Plaza open Friday after Thanksgiving through February
Deep River
Waterpark GPS coordinates:
41.47063,-87.230138
DEEP RIVER WATERPARK INFORMATION
For Historic area Travel U.S. 30 to Rt. 51 then north to the first stop sign (Old
Lincoln Highway). Turn right (east) onto Old Lincoln Highway then 2&1/2 miles to the park. Located at intersection of Old Lincoln Highway and (Lake and Porter) County Line Road.For Deep River Waterpark Travel U.S. 30 for 4 & 1/2 miles east of Interstate 65.
Deep River County Park offers the following features:
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About the Park
The historic area of the serene park stretches along the Deep River corridor for about four miles with trails beginning behind the Historic Wood's Grist Mill - originally built in 1838 by John Wood as a wood frame structure. It was later rebuilt of brick in 1876 by Nathan Wood, John's son, as a custom flouring mill. That's the building you see today.
The Lake County Parks and Recreation Board acquired the site and renovated the mill, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1975. Renovated in 1976, Wood's Mill is surrounded by gardens, a wedding gazebo, visitor center, and Grinder Field, home of the Deep River Grinders historic base ball team.
Wood's Grist Mill was the first successful industry in Lake County and stands as a reminder of the great industrial strength of Northwest Indiana. Today corn meal is ground using the large mill stones from May through October when the building is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.
Next door, the Deep River Visitor Center, housed in the remains of a 1904 church, offers a variety of specialty items and hand made crafts. Deep River's own pure maple syrup is available during Maple Syrup Time during the first of March each year.
The nature trails along the river connect the historic areas of the park with a picnic area and provide a picturesque view of woods and natural habitat.
Deep River Waterpark, south of Route 30 attracts about 250,000 visitors a year.
Deep
River Waterpark
Historical
Overview
In 1988 an intensive research survey was conducted as part of the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department’s five year park and open space plan, which includes an evaluation of park operations and a guideline for future development. Results of the survey established that the public wanted to see more water-based activities in the Lake County Parks system. So, plans were begun for what would be the future Deep River Waterpark on the Deep River County Park campus. Thus, expanding the park’s land base to nearly 1,200 acres both north and south of Route 30.
1995 saw Deep River Waterpark open to the public with a wave pool, two body slides, one tube slide, a slow river ride, and a children’s play zone which included smaller slides and water play.
From the first year, it was apparent to all involved that the Waterpark was under-built to meet public demand. While planners expected the facility to be popular, even park department officials were surprised by its attendance. Designed to serve about 140,000 visitors the first year attendance was 220,000.
In 1996, to help meet
demand, the “Storm,” a three dark ride slide complex, was added to the
park only one year after the park opened.
1999 was another year of expansion. New to the Waterpark was the “Dragon,” a speed slide complex that stands taller than any other structure in the park. Guests daring enough to try the Dragon feel like they’re free falling to the ground. They cover the 60-foot drop in a couple of seconds. Additionally, two new food and beverage areas, more restrooms, chairs, tables, and shade structures were added. The ever-popular park mascot, “Paddles T. Otter,” continued to make appearances throughout the season, and the Waterpark continued to exceed its projected attendance for each of its first five years of operation.
During 2004, even prior to the park gates closing on Labor Day, construction began on improvements for the 2005 season. The expansion was developed to the west of the original park and did not impact the daily operations. In fact, park visitors curiously watched the development.
2005 saw the Waterpark nearly double in size in an expansion that included the addition of an interactive family play structure for all ages, an action river, dueling bowl slides, more food stands, and visitor amenities. Adjoining the new entrance was the expanded parking lot and bus drop-off areas. Improvements were designed to serve more park visitors and serve them more quickly. While in the past the number of daily visitors the site could comfortably handle was about 5,000. With the expansion, caring capacity is more like 7,000.
Also, as part of the expansion was the construction of an outdoor ice plaza for winter use. Beneath the concrete plaza are miles of interacting coils designed to freeze a shallow layer of water when temperatures fall below 40 degrees F. The skating plaza opened the day after Thanksgiving to gathering crowds. In addition to filling a need in the region, the skating plaza added days of operation for the seasonal park.
What’s to come? We’re always adding new and different food choices and opportunities for group fun. Check the web page for updates. You never know what you’ll find.
What
we have for YOU
Looking for a place for family fun? Picture this…500,000 gallons of heated water, alternating between ocean waves and calm, where you can swim or ride your tube. If you’d prefer to kick back and float peacefully, then the 800 foot long Bayou River Ride is beckoning. Great for all ages is the Pipeline Express and Slide Winder Body Slides where you’ll descend at up to 30 miles per hour, but that’s nothing compared to the Dragon, two drop slides where you’ll feel like you’re free falling. The Storm is three thrilling, unbelievable, and totally awesome enclosed tube slides that start five stories above the park and propel you twisting and turning through total darkness.
Calling all kids. Little ones less than 46” have their own special place at Deep River Waterpark. It’s the Play Zone where participatory water play is designed for the little ones. They can slide, get squirted, or just splash under the watchful eye of Deep River’s lifeguard staff.
Mayor Byrdovich’s Courthouse is a whimsical family play area with slides, water cannons, and a giant bucket that dumps gallons of water on anyone standing nearby. It’s wild and wacky – and lot’s of fun. If you’re looking for something with more action than the slow river ride, pick up a tube at the action river and enjoy the spin.
Tubin’ Tuesdays – The park remains open with a special fee from 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. with a disc jockey and lots of extras.
Where
are we?
Deep River Waterpark, 9001 East U.S. Highway 30 in Merrillville, Indiana, is only 30 minutes or less from all of Northwest Indiana and south suburban Chicago and 60 minutes from O’Hare airport, Joliet, Illinois, South Bend or Lafayette, Indiana. For mailing purposes or a map search use 9001 E. U.S. 30, Crown Point, IN 46307.
The Waterpark is open from the Friday before Memorial Day until Labor Day with the exception of weekdays late in August. The park is one of twelve facilities of the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department.
See www.deepriverwaterpark.com for updates, coupons, and more.
FOR SHELTER RESERVATIONS CALL
219-769-7275
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River Waterpark 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30
For program information call 219-947-1958 or 219-769-PARK