{{Short description|Amusement park in Missouri, United States}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox amusement park | name = Hydro Adventures | image = | caption = | location = Poplar Bluff, Missouri, U.S. | coordinates = {{coord|36|43|57.186|N|90|24|8.776|W| region:US-MO_type:landmark | display=title,inline}} | pushpin_map = Missouri | theme = | owner = United Parks, LLC | general_manager = Edgar Novoa | status = Closed | opening_date = {{Start date|2003|5|22}} | closing_date = 2020 | previous_names = Bluff Falls Water Park | season = Water Park: May-September <br> Dry Park: Year-Round | visitors = | area_acre = | rides = | coasters = | water_rides = 7 | other_rides = | shows = | homepage = {{url|https://hydroadventures.com/}} | footnotes = }} '''Hydro Adventures''' was an amusement park, waterpark and family entertainment center located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and owned by national amusement park operator, United Parks.<ref name=amusement>{{cite news|title=Former Bluff Falls Waterpark under new ownership|url=http://amusementtoday.com/2014/04/former-bluff-falls-waterpark-under-new-ownership/|publisher=Amusement Today|date=April 4, 2014}}</ref> Hydro Adventures' Water Park operated from May through September, and the Dry Park was open year-round. According to the website, the park consisted of 7 water attractions and 8 dry attractions of varying “thrill levels.”<ref>{{cite news|title=About Us|url=https://hydroadventures.com/about-us/|publisher=Hydro Adventures|accessdate=June 30, 2017}}</ref> Hydro Adventures was unable to open for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was soon put up for sale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kfvs12.com/2020/07/01/hydro-adventures-remain-closed-season/|title=Hydro Adventures to remain closed for 2020 season|last=Heller|first=Marsha|date=July 1, 2020|website=KFVS12|access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>
==History== Hydro Adventures opened in 2003 as Bluff Falls Water Park.<ref name=better>{{cite news|title=Hydro Adventures Overview|url=https://www.bbb.org/stlouis/business-reviews/amusement-parks-and-places/hydro-adventures-in-poplar-bluff-mo-310580995 |publisher=Better Business Bureau|accessdate=July 1, 2017}}</ref> It was purchased in 2014 by United Parks and re-opened under the new name, Hydro Adventures. In addition to the new name, United Parks made improvements to the facility that included the addition of a major new water slide named Twisted Six and a Triple Threat Basketball attraction.<ref name=amusement/> The park added five new rides in 2015: the Tiger Coaster, Tilt A Whirl, Truck Stop, Tea Cup, and Spring Ride.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hydro Adventures Makes An Even Bigger Splash in 2015 With Lower Prices And New, Exciting Rides|url=http://www.foxradionetwork.com/blog/2015/4/23/hydro-adventures-makes-an-even-bigger-splash-in-2015-with-lower-prices-and-new-exciting-rides|publisher=Fox Radio Network|date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> They added two new rides in 2016: the Scrambler and Galaxy Coaster.<ref name=better/> And in 2017 they added a Laser Tag Arena and a 4,300 square foot arcade.<ref name=better/> Other updates have included new go-carts with a state-of-the-art control system, and renovations to the mini-golf course and batting cages.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dry Attractions|url=https://hydroadventures.com/dry/|publisher=Hydro Adventures|accessdate=July 1, 2017}}</ref>
Following the park's 2018 season, all dry rides and midway attractions were closed and sold off.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/13892.htm|title = Hydro Adventures (Poplar Bluff, Missouri, United States)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rides4u.com/equipment/packages/view/20|title=Home}}</ref> For the 2020 season, the park was unable to open as the direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with refunds being provided to all season pass holders and pre-purchased tickets. The park began to evaluate its future, with all options under consideration on how to move forwards, including a sale/redevelopment of the park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://amusementtoday.com/2020/07/hydro-adventures-to-remain-closed-for-the-remainder-of-the-2020-season/|title=Hydro Adventures to remain closed for the remainder of the 2020 Season|author=|date=July 2, 2020|website=Amusement Today|access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref> In early August 2020, park officials announced on social media that they had opted to sell the park to any new buyer, citing the impact of COVID-19 as well as the operator's decline in interest to run the park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kfvs12.com/2020/08/07/hydro-adventures-water-park-sale/|title=Hydro Adventures Waterpark for sale|last=Ford|first=Jeremy|date=August 7, 2020|website=KFVS12|access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref> After failing to immediately attract a new buyer, the entire contents of Hydro Adventures were actioned off online, with the auction lasting from October 29, 2020, to November 18, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gotoauction.com/sales/view/242452.html|title = Missouri FEC & Water Park Online Auction}}</ref> Contents of the catalogue included the park's waterslides, arcade games, tables, chairs, maintenance equipment, kitchen utilities, and more.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bramsey.hibid.com/catalog/243745/missouri-water-park-and-fun-center/?|title = Missouri Water Park and Fun Center | Bill Ramsey & Associates, LLC}}</ref>
==Rides/Attractions==
===Water Rides===
====Twisted Six==== A WhiteWater West matt racing water slide with six lanes. Sold to Alabama Splash Adventure in the park auction of November 2020. It was renamed "Rocket Racer".
====Poseidon’s Pipeline==== An aggressive water slide on which riders use a tube to slide down the pipeline.
====Crashing Waves Bay==== A wave pool with separate sections for calm floating and wave riding.
Accident on Jun 2, 2019: Some kid fell off, causing him to sink.
====Easy River==== A lazy river-style water attraction.
Accident #1 on May 30, 2018: an 11 year old boy twisted his ankle while entering.
Accident #2 on June 2, 2019: a tween boy fell off his raft and sank into the water.
====Splish Splash Bay==== A shallow water attraction for young children, featuring various age-appropriate slides, spouts and other water features.
===Dry Attractions===
====Ground Rides==== The following amusement park rides were installed along with a new midway in 2015:
*'''Tiger Coaster''' *'''Truck Stop''' *'''Hydro Maiden''' *'''Caravan''' *'''Tip & Twirl''' *'''Poplar Hopper'''
====Poplar Putters==== An 18-hole miniature golf course.
====Tailpipe Alley==== A challenging go-kart attraction for riders of appropriate age and height.
====Missouri Bombers==== Park visitors can test their baseball skill in the park’s batting cages.
====Triple Threat==== Hydro Adventures’ basketball attraction.
====Midway Games==== *'''Flying Frogs''' *'''Roller Baller''' *'''Pepsi Toss'''
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Water parks in Missouri Category:Defunct amusement parks in Missouri Category:2003 establishments in Missouri Category:Buildings and structures in Butler County, Missouri Category:2020 disestablishments in Missouri Category:Amusement parks opened in 2003 Category:Amusement parks closed in 2020 Category:Poplar Bluff, Missouri