This post was sponsored by Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Water Park who provided passes and a food voucher to make our visit possible.
When we got the chance to visit Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids we were thrilled. We had never been to Keansburg and we were eager to check it out. We were not disappointed. I had to practically drag my kids out of this Central New Jersey water park at the end of our 3 hour session. They had so much fun and are already asking to go back.
About Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids
Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids is actually two separate theme parks in one. It’s like 2 New Jersey family attractions in one location. The amusement park section of Keansburg is full of rides for all ages, snack stands, and carnival style games. The water park, called Runaway Rapids, has a big interactive water play area with small water slides, sprinklers, and buckets of water. There are 6 water slides for visitors over 48 inches and a section of water slides for smaller guests. There is also a lazy river and small hot tubs.
5 Things to Do at Keansburg Amusement Park
Keansburg Amusement Park had so many ride options for kids of all ages. I could not believe how many rides they had at the amusement park. The Keansburg Amusement Park stretches for several blocks and has several sections of rides. There were many kiddie rides like a mini carousel and ferris wheel. Then there were rides for the big kids like the gravitron and roller coasters. I would recommend purchasing wristbands instead of tickets because my kids went on ride after ride.
Ride the Mini Himalaya
One of my favorite rides growing up was the Himalaya and my oldest has been a huge fan ever since she was tall enough. Unfortunately, my son is not tall enough for the big version but he was just right for the Mini Himalaya. It’s just like the big version only designed for smaller kids. The Mini Himalaya goes a little slower than the full size version but still goes forwards and backwards. My kids were able to ride it without me and they had a blast.
Ride the Log Flume
When you are spending a hot summer day at the Jersey Shore you need opportunities to cool off. A great place to do that is with a ride on the Log Flume. We were getting a little hot during our 2 hours at the amusement park and we needed a way to cool off. The Log Flume at Keansburg Amusement Park is a fun ride full of hills and drops and you definitely get a cooling splash of water along the way. My kids were begging to ride it again and again.
Check Out Some of the Rides for Bigger Kids
I was amazed at the number of little kid rides they have at Keansburg, but that doesn’t mean that big kids will be bored. My kids loved the Gravitron! My son went on a ride called “Cliffhanger” and I had to close my eyes while he rode it. You lay down on the ride and there is a safety bar on top of you. The ride goes straight up in the air and spins you in several directions. Those were just a few of the many big kids rides available.
Ride the Go Karts
Keansburg Amusement Park has a really cool go kart track with 2 different sized tracks. The short track is for kids from 42 inches up to 54 inches. The Grand Prix Track is for people over 54 inches. The Go Karts are prices separately and not included with any wristband specials, but if you show them your used water park wristband you’ll get $1 off your ride.
Check out Hollow Graves Haunted Manor
This haunted house has a long history and has been moved around to several New Jersey locations before finding a permanent home in Keansburg. It is a super creepy haunted house but it is still family friendly. While there are scary creatures, live actors, and animated ghosts it is not excessively gory. It is modeled after classic haunted houses of the past and is perfect for everyone in your family that likes a good scare.
5 Things to Do at Runaway Rapids Water Park
The Power Tower area is great for kids that are not quite tall enough for the big slides.
My 5 year old was about an inch too short for the big water slides at Runaway Rapids Water Park and he was really bummed. Then we were walking around the kiddie pool area and we found the Power Tower. The Power Tower has 4 water slides that kids as small as 32 inches can ride. My son spent about 30 minutes going down the slides over and over again.
Relax in Runaway Rapids’s Comfort Cove or Lost Lagoon
If you need a break from the exciting water slides or the cold water you can stop in Comfort Cove or Lost Lagoon for a relaxing hot tub experience. Comfort Cove is two small hot tubs located right in the middle of the water slide area. You can easily relax in the warm water while still keeping and eye on bigger kids riding the slides. The Lost Lagoon is a bigger hot tub hidden in the back corner of the water park. No one under 18 is allowed in the Lost Lagoon without an adult so it is a quieter place to relax.
Take a Trip Down Castaway Creek
My favorite thing about any water park is the lazy river and Runaway Rapids has a great one. You can lay in a tube and enjoy a relaxing trip about the outside of the water park. Or you can maneuver your way through the river and try to hit as many of the fish hanging overhead as possible.
Visit Toddler’s Reef
If you have children 4 and younger you will want to visit Toddler’s Reef at Runaway Rapids. It’s a special toddler water play area at this Central Jersey water park. My 5 year old was very jealous that he was too old to play in the fun. There were tiny water slides, plenty of water fountains, and even a giant car to climb in and out of. Everything was just the right size for a toddler and the water in that area was very shallow.
Try to Make It Across the Moon Walk
Runaway Rapids Water Park has attractions to please every member of your family. Right next door to the Power Tower and Toddler’s Reef is the Moon Walk. The Moon Walk is a series of lily pads with a rope hanging above them. You can hold on to the rope while you try to make it across the lily pads without falling. But be advised that you must be able to reach to top rope in order to use the Moon Walk, my 5 year old is just shy of 48 inches and he was a little too short to reach the rope.
More helpful information to plan your visit to Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids
There are multiple options for planning your visit to Keansburg Amusement Park.
You can choose how you want to spend your day in Keansburg. If your family is just interested in the rides you can purchase tickets or wristbands for the amusement park. If you are just looking for water fun you can purchase a 2 or 3 hour pass for the water park. But if you are looking to experience all that Keansburg has to offer you can purchase a combo ticket that gets you access to both sections.
There are plenty of Keansburg Amusement Park daily specials but you have to pay attention to the details.
- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are Buy One Get One days. You can get one wristband free when you purchase in multiples of two. But these wristbands must be purchased on the amusement park side.
- Every Tuesday is Kiddie Day with special discounts for kid admission.
- Friday is family day with discounts on unlimited ride wristbands.
So if you are planning on taking advantage of one of these deals make sure you buy your wristbands in the correct location.
There are several parking options for Keansburg Amusement Park.
When you get to Keansburg there are several different places to park. We chose to park in the pay for the day lot near the batting cages. It cost $5 to park for the entire day. There were attendant directing us where to park and they even gave us a book of discount coupons to use throughout the day. We also passed a municipal lot where you could park and pay the meter. There was also quite a bit of street parking with meters.
Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids hours of operation
Amusement Park
- Throughout the summer the kiddie rides start at 11:00 AM and the rest of the rides start running at 12:00. You can check their website for a complete and more detailed schedule.
Water Park
- The water park opens at 10:00 AM daily.
Check their website before you head out to check for specific operating hours.
Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids admission prices
- Admission prices vary based on the option you choose. Prices range from $26.95 to $53.95 depending on what type of ticket you choose. See the complete list of prices on their website.
Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids is located at 27 Beachway Ave in Keansburg. Check out their website for more information.
For more Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids pictures from our visit check out our Facebook photo album.
For more information on other local waterparks visit our Splash it up at these Local Water Parks in New Jersey guide. For more about local amusement parks click over to 20 Amazing Amusement Parks in New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania That THRILL Kids.