For your safety, all water park guests will be cleared from the facility in the event of severe storms such as those with audible thunder and visible lightning or unforeseen events. The facility will remain closed until conditions are deemed safe for it to reopen (e.g., 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or observation of lightning). The facility may delay opening or close early due to inclement weather.

Rain checks (i.e., credits to the household account for a future visit) will ONLY be issued if:

• Temporary closures exceed an hour
• Full day closure has been announced due to unexpected inclement weather/events
• You have been in the park for less than 1.5 hours before the closure occurs

IMPORTANT: All admission sales are final. No refunds will be given.

Wristbands must be worn at all times after paying for admission to The Water Mine. For those who need to leave and re-enter the park, wristbands will only be valid for re-entry up to 30 minutes after leaving. Those with wristbands returning more than 30 minutes after signing out will need to wait again in the general admission line (entry depends on park capacity) but will not need to pay the general admission price again to enter on the same day.

All people entering the water park must pay general admission even if they do not plan to swim. It is an admission fee rather than a swimming fee and all patrons count towards the capacity.

The following items are not permitted inside The Water Mine:

• Glass containers
• Alcoholic beverages
• Smoking products including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vapes and similar devices
• Portable grills, lighters or open flames
• Knives, guns, pepper spray or other weapons
• Amplified sound, including portable speakers and radios
• Personal floats and inflatable flotation devices
• Non-U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets or flotation devices
• Masks, snorkels, kickboards and fins
• Water guns and other pool toys
• Umbrellas, pop-up tents or other shade structures unless approved by park staff
• Any other item deemed unsafe or prohibited by park management

At the entrance, there is a screening check point where security will check for prohibited items in order to keep the pool safe and open. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome.

Guests with prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicle or voluntarily discard them before entering the park.

Children under 48” may not ride down the 3-story waterslides or cross the Box Canyon ropes course. A guardian 16 years or older must also accompany them to ride Big Pete, Little Pete, and the Lazy River.

You can purchase tickets online in advance of the day you plan to attend. Same day tickets can be purchased at the door. The purchase of online tickets or having season passes does not guarantee immediate entry into the park — if the park reaches capacity, those in line will need to wait for patrons to leave before entering the park.

You will have to create a household account and prepay for all tickets online using a credit card. We recommend securing tickets online for weekends or holidays early whenever possible.

Tickets for The Water Mine are available Online. However, tickets are not available online for same day entry. Tickets for same day entry are ONLY available at the door.

Purchase tickets online ahead of time.

• If you are looking to prepay, you will have to create a household account and pay for all tickets online using a credit or debit card.
• If you are a returning customer and bought tickets last year, you will need to use the account you created during the previous year.
• Click HERE to begin your ticket process.

Children 10 years or older may independently enter the park. Those under 10 years old must be accompanied by a guardian 16 years or older.

Yes, there are coin-operated lockers in the locker rooms and near the unisex bathrooms. It only accepts quarters and costs 25¢ every time the key is removed.

Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are the busiest. On those days, it is recommended for you to arrive early since the line tends to form at around 30 to 45 minutes prior to opening. There may be a long wait after opening. Once the park reaches its capacity, we are unable to estimate the wait time.

Yes, there is a vendor on site that sells a variety of foods.

Yes, there are scheduled 10-minute safety breaks at 1:50, 2:50, and 3:50. All guests must exit the water at this time.

No, marina tickets are sold at the main office. Additionally, the marina only open Saturday and Sunday. Please visit the Lake Fairfax Park Boating/Marina page for more information.

Prepare for an amazing day at our water park by wearing/packing swimwear and bringing your swim essentials (towels, sunscreen, hats/sun coverings, goggles, sandals/water shoes, U.S. Coast-guard approved life vests, phone/headphones, etc.).

Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. Plastic cutlery and serving utensils are allowed. Please bring beverages in plastic/non-breakable containers. Visitors can also bring their own chairs.

At the entrance, there is a screening check point where security will check all bags, coolers, strollers, wagons and personal items prior to entry. Guests with prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicle or voluntarily discard them before entering the park (please see our prohibited items FAQ for more information). 

Yes, there are security staff at the water park and all items being brought into the park are subject to screening. All bags, coolers, strollers, wagons and personal items are subject to inspection prior to entry (and at any time while inside the park). Please note that guests who decline inspection or refuse to comply with park policies may be denied entry or asked to leave the park.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance with helping the lines move faster by preparing for our security screening:

• Open all bags, coolers and personal items
• Remove any prohibited items and return them to your vehicle (see prohibited items FAQ)
• Follow the directions of staff and security personnel

The Water Mine draws a crowd (especially on weekends and holidays) — please prepare for lines and note that the water park can reach capacity. We recommend purchasing tickets online and arriving early. The Water Mine also may close early or lines may stall due to emergencies, capacity or weather conditions.

To make the park an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone, please:

• Remain with your party while waiting in line (saving places in line/holding spots is not permitted) — guests who leave the line may be required to rejoin at the end of the line
• Treat fellow guests and staff with courtesy and respect
• Follow all directions provided by staff and security

Season passholders will be directed to a second line to enter the park. While this line often is shorter and can move quicker than the general admission line, passholders still need to wait in line and go through security screening before entering the park. Having season passes does not guarantee immediate entry into the park — if the park reaches capacity, those in line will need to wait for patrons to leave before entering the park. We recommend that season passholders arrive early on weekends and holidays.

The Water Mine has a variety of spaces to rent to ensure an extra special day at the water park! Rental areas include:

• Funbrellas
• Canopies/Tents
• Awnings
• Cabanas
• Bungalows

Rentals are subject to availability and must be booked at least 2 business days in advance. Full payment is required to secure your reservation. Rentals are first-come, first-served, and based on availability.

To receive group rates for eligible rental areas, contact our reservations team at 703-246-5111 or email FCPAWaterMineRentals@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Please note that rental fees to not include admission, so be sure to get your tickets in advance.

Learn more and book your rental online.

Several free, shaded areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Since these areas can fill up quickly, please come prepared to stay safe from the summer sun and hot weather. Come equipped with sunscreen, hats and coverings. Plan ahead and make your visit extra special by renting our other shaded areas including:

• Funbrellas
• Canopies/Tents
• Awnings
• Cabanas
• Bungalows

Rentals are subject to availability and must be booked at least 2 business days in advance. Full payment is required to secure your reservation. Rentals are first-come, first-served, and based on availability. Please note that rental fees to not include admission, so be sure to get your tickets in advance. Learn more and book your rental online.

The Water Mine may be Western-themed but it isn’t the wild West.

The Water Mine does not tolerate:

• Fighting or threatening behavior
• Profanity, abusive or inappropriate language
• Harassment or disruptive conduct
• Unsafe or disrespectful behavior

To make the park an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone, please:

• Remain with your party while waiting in line (saving places in line/holding spots is not permitted) — guests who leave the line may be required to rejoin at the end of the line
• Treat fellow guests and staff with courtesy and respect
• Follow all directions provided by staff and security