Lake lovers are invited to switch things up this summer at Big Bear’s new floating waterpark, where guests can jump, slide and wade their way through the heat.
The aquatic playground at Big Bear Lake’s Pine Knot Marina boasts slides into Big Bear Lake, pylons for jumping off, skips and challenging obstacles for the whole family, representatives said.
Brian and Jessica Boyd are the owners of Big Bear Watersports School Inc., the company that operates the waterpark. According to Brian, the new park is like a miniature version of the TV show “Wipeout,” but on a milder scale best suited for swimmers of all ages.
The Boyds have been in business on Big Bear Lake for 11 years and worked with the Municipal Water District to ensure safety precautions for its floating waterpark, Jessica said on social media.
The 40-foot by 60-foot inflatable waterpark held its grand opening on June 14 and operates by the session, at the top of the hour, each hour, and costs $19.95 per person. Participants ages 4 to 7 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Key features of the floating waterpark
Some of the new park’s key features include the Mt. Hood platform, which is over 12 feet high and allows participants to plunge feet first into the lake.
There are two areas of the waterpark for the more adventurous water sports enthusiasts. The Risky Business obstacle has a slick causeway, making it tough to get across without a slip into the lake.
The other area is the High Rise, which stands approximately five feet off the water’s surface. High Rise is only 18 inches wide and wobbly to race across, similar to Risky Business.
Another section that adds to the excitement is a jump-into-the-lake feature called Dragon’s Tail. There are multiple loading zone steps located around the park to get back on after a jump or fall into the water.
The floating waterpark is secured by 31 anchors, each weighing approximately one ton. The water depth is 12 to 14 feet, which, according to the Boyds, is ideal for jumping or sliding into the lake. Headfirst diving or flipping is not allowed.
Two first-aid CPR-certified staff members are on duty at all times during a session — one stationed on the waterpark and the other on shore, representatives said. Each participant is provided with a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, which must be worn at all times. The maximum weight for guests cannot exceed 250 lbs.
The waterpark can accommodate up to 40 people at a time.
How long will the Pine Knot Marina waterpark be open?
The floating waterpark at Pine Knot Marina is now open for the summer and will remain open through Sept. 1, 2025.
Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The floating waterpark is divided into separate sessions that happen at the top of each hour. The first session begins at 11 a.m. and the last session is at 3 p.m. A session is approximately 45 minutes long.
Participants must arrive 30 minutes prior to the session for check-in and proper life jacket fitting and safety briefing.
Pine Knot Marina is located at 439 Pine Knot Ave. in Big Bear Lake. To book a session on the floating waterpark, visit BigBearWatersports.com.
Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at The Daily Press, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know.
McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Stay cool this summer at Big Bear Lake’s new inflatable waterpark
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
