What Is the Biggest Water Slide in North America?
The biggest water slide in North America by recorded height and speed is Verruckt, a water coaster style slide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas. Verruckt features a 170-foot drop with a recorded top speed of approximately 65 to 67 miles per hour, making it the tallest and fastest in the region. Riders ascend via conveyor to a 17-story launch platform, travel a steep chute, and ride a floating mat for a high-intensity, near-vertical descent. This profile breaks down the verified size, mechanics, operating history, and what visitors should know about capacity, safety, and seasonal operation.
Verified Specifications and Records
Verruckt has been measured and documented by industry observers and media at the time of its 2014 opening, with consistent public records confirming its scale. Below is a compact factual table summarizing the most often cited attributes alongside their source type and context.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Height of Drop | 170 feet (about 52 meters) | Reported measurements and park documentation |
| Recorded Speed | 65–67 mph (approximately 105–108 km/h) | On-site timing and media verification |
| Riding Style | Water coaster with uphill section and mat ride | Operator description and rider reviews |
| Location | Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Kansas City, Kansas | Public location data |
| Opening Year | 2014 | News reports and park announcements |
How Verruckt Compares to Other Large North American Slides
- Height: At 170 feet, Verruckt remains the tallest widely recognized water slide in North America; a few parks have comparable or slightly shorter headline attractions.
- Speed: Its 65–67 mph top speed is consistently cited as among the fastest, tied with or exceeding several other record-holding slides.
- Type: Unlike simple bowl or body slides, Verruckt combines a steep drop with a short uphill airtime segment, creating a water coaster experience.
Ride Experience and Mechanics
Riders climb a conveyor system to a platform positioned roughly 17 stories high, then step onto a mat and descend a near-vertical initial chute. After the steep drop, the layout includes an uphill section where the mat briefly loses traction, creating a sensation of airtime before continuing through undulating turns and a final splash into a pool. The combination of steep grade, water spray, and mat design produces high speeds while keeping the g-forces intense but brief. Multiple laps are generally not permitted in a single ride cycle due to capacity and drainage constraints.
Location, Operating Season, and Capacity
Verruckt is located at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, operating primarily during the park’s seasonal schedule from late spring through early fall. The slide typically handles one rider per mat, with occasional configurations allowing two riders if the park specifies tandem usage and weight requirements. Capacity varies by day and event, but throughput is inherently limited by the lift conveyor frequency and queue design. Visitors should check current park hours, height requirements, and mat policies before joining the queue.
Safety, Restrictions, and Rider Considerations
As with any high-speed water coaster, Verruckt has specific safety rules and physical restrictions. Common requirements include minimum height (often around 48 to 54 inches), weight limits, and health advisories for guests with certain medical conditions. Lifejackets are not used; riders rely on mat control and proper positioning. Operators enforce load and unload procedures to manage spacing and reduce collision risk. While mats and water depth are maintained to industry standards, the intensity of the ride means it is generally not recommended for guests who are pregnant, have recent injuries, or are sensitive to high g-forces.
Practical Visitor Information
To optimize the experience at Schlitterbahn and on Verruckt, arrive early or use park strategies that reduce wait times, such as season passes, online reservations, or off-peak days. Bring a swimsuit, secure loose items, and follow all lifeguard and crew instructions at loading and unloadings. While park layouts can evolve, the core attributes of Verruckt—its steep 170-foot drop and speeds near 65 mph—remain consistent as long as the slide operates under its original design and safety protocols.
Summary and Key Takeaways
- Verruckt at Schlitterbahn (Kansas City, Kansas) is widely recognized as the biggest water slide in North America by verified drop height and speed.
- Measured primary specs include a 170-foot drop and top speeds of approximately 65–67 mph, documented through on-site observations and operator data.
- It is a water coaster style mat slide with an initial steep descent and a short uphill airtime element, differentiating it from slower, simpler body or tube slides.
- Location is fixed at Schlitterbahn Waterpark; seasonal operation, height and weight restrictions, and one-rider-per-mat policies affect accessibility.
- Safety depends on proper rider compliance, mat technique, and awareness of personal health limits; the ride is intense and not suitable for all guests.
For guests seeking the extremes of water slide design in North America, Verruckt remains the benchmark for scale and speed, provided expectations, restrictions, and seasonal availability are confirmed in advance.