Taking the Plunge Close to Home

Tired of just cannonballing in the neighbors' pool but don't want to stray too far? Here are seven water parks within a four-hour drive of the Beltway. We've included approximate drive times, prices and attractions -- plus each park's splashiest thrill.

-- Anne McDonough

Camelbeach Waterpark

Tannersville, Pa.

570-629-1661

www.camel beach.com

VITALS

Drive time (from Beltway): About 3 hours 45 minutes (225 miles).

Cost: $26.95 (11 and up), $22.95 (3-11), 2 and under free.

WHAT' THERE

35 acres, 22 slides. The Kahuna Lagoon wave pool features the biggest manmade waves (up to six feet) in the Northeast. The six-story Triple Venom has three speed slides that run a combined 1,024 feet. There's a bowl slide for families (the Spin Cycle raft ride) and one for thrill seekers (Vortex, a high-speed body slide).

THE BIG SPLASH

4,000 gallons of water per minute flow through the Checkered Flag Challenge, an eight-slide racing complex that drops you more than 48 feet while you race headfirst to see who crosses the finish line first.

NOTES

If you're just there to keep on eye on the kids, pay the $12.95 spectator fee instead of full price . . . Parking is free.

Paradise Island

Largo, Md.

301-249-1500

www.sixflags.com/parks/america