Top 7 Amusement Parks in Ohio

By Chelsea Gonzales
Amusement Parks

Ohio is the roller coaster capital of the world, and there are tons of awesome Ohio amusement parks. In fact, there are so many great parks, it can be hard to choose which ones to visit on a road trip. 

Some of the best include:

  1. Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores
  2. Kings Island and Soak City
  3. Memphis Kiddie Park
  4. Clay’s Park Resort
  5. Coney Island Park
  6. Zoombezi Bay
  7. Kalahari Sandusky

Ohio Amusement Parks at a Glance

ParkCedar Point & Cedar Point ShoresKings Island & Soak City Water ParkMemphis Kiddie ParkClay’s Park ResortConey Island ParkZoombezi BayKalahari Resorts & Conventions Sandusky
LocationSandusky, OHMason, OHBrooklyn, OHNorth Lawrence, OHCincinnati, OHPowell, OHSandusky, OH
Ticket CostApproximately $50–$90+ depending on date and ticket typeApproximately $45–$85+ depending on dateIndividual rides generally $1–$2; unlimited ride wristbands approximately $18–$25Day passes typically $20–$40; resort packages availableAdmission varies by event; attractions and pool access priced separatelyApproximately $35–$55+ depending on dateDay passes typically $50–$120+ depending on season
AttractionsRecord-breaking roller coasters, family rides, water park, beach access, live entertainmentRoller coasters, family rides, children’s attractions, water park, live entertainmentClassic kiddie rides, miniature train, carousel, family attractionsWater slides, splash zones, inflatable water park, campground, mini golf, family recreationHistoric rides, seasonal attractions, pools, special events, riverfront recreationWater slides, wave pool, lazy river, children’s play areas, private cabanasIndoor and outdoor water parks, wave pools, water slides, surf simulator, family adventure attractions
Onsite RV Parking?Yes(Lighthouse Point Campground & RV Resort)Yes (Camp Cedar RV Resort nearby and affiliated)NoYes (full-service RV campground)NoNoNo

Why RV to an Ohio Amusement Park?

  • Staying in an RV lets you travel on your own schedule, avoid strict hotel check-in times, and move easily between parks or nearby attractions.
  • RV camping can also significantly reduce hotel expenses, and it gives you the option to cook meals instead of eating out every meal.
  • Many Ohio amusement parks are located near well-equipped RV parks, making it easy to stay just minutes from the entrance.

Cedar Point & Cedar Point Shores

Topping the list is one of the largest amusement parks in Ohio: Cedar Point in Sandusky. Whether you’re a big thrill seeker in search of gigantic roller coasters or a small child who prefers gentle kiddie rides, you’ll find something to love at Cedar Point. 

Stand-Out Features

  • 17 roller coasters
  • Top Thrill Dragster
  • Millennium Force
  • Charlie Brown’s Wind Up
  • Flying Ace Balloon Race
  • Dodgem bumper cars
  • Giant Wheel Ferris wheel
  • Cedar Point Shores water park
  • Water slides
  • Water playground
  • Lazy river

RV Camping Near Cedar Point & Cedar Point Shores

You will need a place to stay before and after you visit Cedar Point. Why not take your RV so you can have all the comforts of home with you? This will allow you to be totally comfortable no matter where you end up. And Cedar Point has its own campground so you can stay close to the action. 

Kings Island & Soak City

Next on our list is a second Cedar Fair-owned park: Kings Island in Mason. Like Cedar Point, this is a very big amusement park. In fact, Kings Island is the largest amusement park in the region. This means you’ll find something for everyone to do during your visit. It also means you might want to visit for more than just a day in order to see it all. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Diamondback
  • Orion
  • Flight of Fear
  • Banshee
  • Character Carousel
  • Kite Eating Tree
  • Snoopy vs. Red Baron
  • Race for Your Life Charlie Brown
  • Flying Ace Aerial Chase
  • Soak City
  • Water slides
  • Water play areas
  • Wave pool

RV Camping Near Kings Island & Soak City

As mentioned above, you will want more than one day to explore Kings Island. This means you’re going to want to make sure you’re 100% comfortable wherever you end up staying. For this reason, we highly recommend making your Kings Island getaway an RV adventure and the onsite RV campground is the perfect place to park. 

Memphis Kiddie Park

Traveling with little kids? If so, a visit to the adorable Memphis Kiddie Park in Brooklyn, Ohio might be in order. This is a small amusement park that has been around since 1952. It caters to the “under 10” crowd, and younger visitors absolutely love it!

Stand-Out Features

  • Carousel
  • Little boats
  • Tiny Ferris wheel
  • Kiddie roller coaster
  • Electric cars
  • Flying airplane ride
  • Train
  • Mini golf course

RV Camping Near Memphis Kiddie Park

You will of course need a place to stay while visiting the area. What better way to round out your family vacation than by making some camping memories to go along with your amusement park memories? 

Stay at this campground:

Clay’s Park Resort

Want to camp and have some water park fun in the same great place? If so, Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawrence is for you! This is a Jellystone Park, and like any of the rest of these awesome camping resorts, it has tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy together. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Water slides
  • Wibit Inflatables
  • Climbing walls
  • Obstacle course
  • Dueling ziplines
  • Ring swings
  • Water playground
  • Water cannons
  • Giant dump bucket
  • Small slides
  • Giant jumping pillow
  • Kiddie lake area
  • Rental kayaks
  • Swimming pool
  • Basketball court
  • Sand volleyball
  • Mini golf
  • Fishing
  • Tennis
  • Pickleball
  • Gem mining
  • Scheduled activities

RV Camping Near Clay’s Park Resort

As mentioned, Clay’s Park Resort is a campground. Therefore, it won’t take much time at all to get your RV parked and start having fun. In fact, we can’t imagine why anyone would choose any other way to stay when vacationing at this park!

Stay at this campground:

Coney Island Park

Looking for something fun to do in Cincinnati? If you’re visiting during the summer, we highly recommend Coney Island Park. This water park has been around since 1886, so it must be doing something right. It has some unique attractions that we’re sure you’re going to adore and is the perfect way to have some fun in the sun. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Floating obstacle course
  • Inflatable obstacle course
  • Water slides
  • World’s largest recirculating pool
  • Typhoon Tower water playground
  • World’s largest erupting hydro storm
  • Dive pool
  • Paddle boats
  • Mini golf course
  • Bouncing pillow
  • Arts and crafts
  • Foam parties

RV Camping Near Coney Island Park

As always, we highly recommend taking your RV on your Ohio getaway. This ensures you have everything you need. It also makes it easy to hop around the state should you wish to experience more than one area. 

Stay at this campground:

Zoombezi Bay

A large 22-acre water park located in Columbus, Zoombezi Bay is an incredible place to go to get your waterpark fix. It is connected to the world-class Columbus Zoo and has everything you’d expect from a water park and more. Whether you’re a slide person or a person who prefers to simply float in the water, you’ll find something you love at Zoombezi Bay.

Stand-Out Features

  • Wave pool
  • Lazy river
  • Sea Tubes
  • Python Plunge
  • Soundsurfer
  • Interactive water slide
  • Light show
  • Tiny Tides
  • Shallow pool
  • Marine animal theming
  • Baboon Lagoon
  • Interactive water features
  • Water slides

RV Camping Near Zoombezi Bay

You will of course want to bring the RV along for this trip. We recommend this because it will allow you to feel relaxed and at home in your own space even when you’re miles away from home, and also because there is a lot to see in Ohio and you might find yourself wanting to hop to another area. Doing so in an RV is super easy!

Stay at this campground:

Kalahari Sandusky

Last on our list is Kalahari in Sandusky. This is the biggest indoor water park in the region and should not be missed. If you’re planning on visiting Cedar Point, it’s a great addition to that trip—but honestly, we’d even go out of our way to check this one out alone. 

Stand-Out Features

  • Kid’s Safari
  • Coral Cove
  • Crocodile Cove
  • Leopard’s Lair
  • Tanzanian Twister
  • Zimbabwe Zipper
  • Zig Zag Sipper
  • Storm Chaser
  • Cheetah Race
  • Rippling Rhino
  • Swahili Swirl
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wave pool
  • Lazy river
  • Hot tub
  • Swim-up bar

RV Camping Near Kalahari Sandusky

Planning to take your RV to this park? Great choice! You won’t regret having your own kitchen, bathroom, and bed while you vacation, and you’re sure to love how easy it is to move when the time comes. 

Stay at this campground:

Tips for an Amazing Ohio Amusement Park Trip

  • Hit the most popular rides right after opening to avoid long midday lines, then work your way through the park in a loop instead of zig-zagging.
  • Alternate high-thrill coasters with shows, shaded areas, or family rides so you don’t burn out too quickly.
  • Ohio parks can see both hot sun and sudden rain on the same day. Bring lightweight layers, sunscreen, a poncho, and comfortable broken-in shoes.
  • Many parks offer wait-time tracking, virtual queues, or skip-the-line passes that can save hours on busy days. Use them!

Ohio Amusement Parks: Frequently Asked Questions

Which Ohio amusement parks are the most popular?

The most visited parks in Ohio are Cedar Point and Kings Island.

What is the best time of year to visit Ohio amusement parks?

Late spring through early fall offers the full ride lineup and warm weather. Weekdays in May, June, or September usually have the shortest lines.

Are Ohio amusement parks good for younger kids?

Yep! Most major parks in the state include dedicated kids’ areas with gentle rides, splash zones, and character-themed attractions designed for families.

Looking for something different to add to your trip? There are plenty of other things to do in Ohio that don’t involve amusement parks. Check out the articles linked below to learn about some of our favorite sights and attractions in the state: