Find here answers to all your most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), so you can take your mind off worrying, and just worry about having all-day fun! From when to come, to what to bring, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to have the perfect and safe day at Sandcastle.
Sandcastle offers two exclusive children's areas. The Tad Pool is a one-and-a-half-foot deep pool with two beginner slides, and Wet Willie's is a crazy water playground featuring several slides and water activities.
Please designate a specific meeting spot and/or check-in times for your group should anyone get separated. Sandcastle will not announce separated parties over the intercom. If you or a member of your party gets lost, please contact a team member in the area to page a public safety officer.
The safety of all our guests is our top priority at Sandcastle. Therefore, only US Coast Guard approved lifejackets and puddle jumpers are permitted in our pools. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Mon-Tsunami Wave Pool: All guests under 48” are REQUIRED to wear a US Coast Guard approved lifejacket.
Lazy River: Guests under 48” tall are RECOMMENDED to wear a US Coast Guard approved lifejacket.
Approved lifejackets are available free of charge and can be found at the Mon Tsunami Wave Pool and the Mushroom Pool.
There are many shaded areas throughout the park to help protect you from the sun. Lounge chairs are available on a first-come first-served basis. However, you can choose to rent your own private Cabana for the day, ensuring your very own slice of shade from park opening to close!
First Aid is located on the boardwalk in between the slide entrance and food stands. Please ask any Sandcastle Team Member for specific directions.
Eyeglasses may be worn on some attractions with a head strap only. Please check the safety rating information at the front of each attraction for more information.
Yes, an admission ticket is required to enter Sandcastle.
If thrilling slides aren’t for you, check out attractions like the Lazy River and Mushroom Pool that can keep you cool while you just kick-back and enjoy the natural beauty.
For guests with special needs, our Guest Relations office will be happy to help you determine which attractions are appropriate for your abilities. We’ll help you avoid anything outside of your ability or comfort zone, and still ensure a complete and exciting day here at Sandcastle!
We strongly suggest that minors under the age of 18 be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. The Park does not assume any responsibility or liability for unattended minors.
Start here for our helpful operating calendar of times and dates when we’ll be available for you and all your loved ones to have fun!
Please note that the operating schedule is subject to change at any time, so we encourage you to double-check and appreciate your patience.
To ensure the safety of our guests, Sandcastle lifeguards are rigorously trained and certified, and our First Aid Station is staffed with Emergency Medical Technicians. We urge parents to help their children study safe water skills and also read the safety information at the front of each attraction together.
Here at Sandcastle, safety is our top priority in everything we do. Therefore, we will never compromise our Guests or Team Members by operating attractions in poor weather of any type. Lightning, high winds, and low temperatures can all lead to attractions closing for part or all of the day. During these times, we kindly ask you to remain patient until the severe weather cell has moved out of range.
June is always a great time to visit us. We are usually slower at the beginning of our season. If you visit in July or August, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are traditionally slower. Also, be aware that crowds are quite weather-dependent. We will be busier on hotter summer days.
Sandcastle is honored to be a place of happiness and fun in western Pennsylvania, and strives to be a good neighbor and support local non-profits and charitable causes doing good work in the community. Our charitable ticket donation program exists to support organizations doing good deeds and individuals in need. Tickets can be used as a fundraising tool or to provide a way to enjoy a day of fun at Sandcastle for those who may not be able to do so otherwise.
Due to the large volume of requests we receive annually, Sandcastle has established guidelines to ensure consistency and fairness within the donation process. Please note that we are not able to accommodate all requests. Donation requests are only accepted from non-profit organizations and/or charities holding fundraisers in our supported geographic region where the majority of our Guests and Team Members reside. For-profit organizations are not eligible to receive ticket donations.
We use ApproveForGood to streamline the donation request and review process, helping our teams manage the many requests we receive. If your organization fits the criteria, please submit your request at least two months (60 days) in advance of your event date:
Requests received that do not include the above information will not be processed for consideration.
We do not make monetary donations.
Yes. Some of our attractions have a weight restriction to participate. These requirements can be found on the Attractions page of our website. The requirements are also posted on signs at the entrance of each ride.
If you forget something at home, check out the Tidal Wave Gift Shop before turning around– we can probably help with that! With beach towels, swim diapers, sunscreen, and plenty of other everyday items, we have everything you need to have the perfect day at Sandcastle.
Yes. Most of our attractions have a height requirement to participate. These requirements can be found on the Attractions page of our website. The requirements are also on signs at the entrance of each ride.
Please click here for directions.
Sandcastle is an entirely cashless park. Sandcastle accepts, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express cards at any ticket entrance and all food locations. Admission tickets, Season Passes, and Cabanas are also available to purchase online. Ready Credit machines are available at Guest Relations and on the Boardwalk to convert cash onto a pre-paid VISA card.
If you have a disability, please visit our Park Rules & Policies Page or give us a call at (412) 462-6666. They will share which rides and attractions are appropriate for your abilities and will help you make the most of your visit.
The cost of admission to Sandcastle will be waived for a government-funded or privately paid Personal Care Assistant (PCA) whose attendance is required to enable a Guest with severe disabilities to enjoy a day visiting the park. Whether the tickets are purchased in advance or at the gate for the PCA, any request to waive admission for the PCA must be made at the Guest Relations office located at the park entrance. The PCA shall not participate in any services/attractions separate from the individual that requires their services. If the park discovers that the PCA or Guest has misrepresented the purpose of the PCA’s attendance, both the PCA and Guest will be ejected from the park.
Your safety, and the safety of our team members, is always our top priority. To ensure a seamless entry into the park and for the most enjoyable visit possible, we’ve enhanced our security procedures for the 2023 season. We are fully confident in our plan, and we want to help you be prepared before you visit the park.
Sandcastle allows one bag up to 15" x 15" x 15" or soft cooler up to 12” x 12” x 12” per guest into the park and all food and beverages must fit within the bag size. No alcohol or glass containers will be permitted.
All guests pass through our metal detectors at the front gate.
All-Day Locker Rentals are available for rent on the boardwalk to store all your personal belongings:
Pricing: Standard: $15; Large: $18; Jumbo: $20
Smoking Policy
Sandcastle is a limited smoking facility. Smoking is only permitted on the lower-level entertainment deck next to the Mushroom Pool/along the Monongahela River. Please see a Sandcastle team member for details.
Food and Beverage Policy
We encourage you to bring any personal food into the park, so long as they are medically necessary (e.g., for diabetics, baby formula, gluten-free foods, or allergy-safe foods). You are also welcome to bring unopened, non-alcoholic beverages. Sandcastle does NOT permit hard coolers, glass or alcohol, fast food, or any other commercially prepared food from outside establishments to enter the park. Sandcastle allows one bag up to 15" x 15" x 15" or soft cooler up to 12” x 12” x 12” per guest into the park and all food and beverages must fit within the bag size. No alcohol or glass containers will be permitted.
For any groups wishing to bring large coolers or a picnic- picnic tables are conveniently located outside of our park and guests may enter and exit as many times as they wish throughout the day. Please keep these items in your vehicle.
Minor/ Chaperone Policy
We strongly suggest that minors under the age of 18 be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. The Park does not assume any responsibility or liability for unattended minors.
Pets
Pets are not permitted on park grounds including the waterpark, parking lot and River plex unless the animal is a service or guide dog.
Mon-Tsunami Wave Pool Policy
This attraction is fenced off with one entrance and exit. A lifeguard is stationed at the entrance to the wave pool measuring guests to ensure that anyone under 48" is given and properly fitted with a lifejacket. In the Wave Pool, all guests under 48" are REQUIRED to wear a lifejacket and be accompanied by an adult. We insist that parents keep their children within arm’s reach for their close supervision on all water activities. Lifejackets are available free of charge. When in doubt, wear a lifejacket!
We encourage you to bring any personal food into the park, so long as they are medically necessary (e.g., for diabetics, baby formula, gluten-free foods, or allergy-safe foods). You are also welcome to bring unopened, non-alcoholic beverages. Sandcastle does NOT permit hard coolers, glass or alcohol, fast food, or any other commercially prepared food from outside establishments to enter the park.
For any groups wishing to bring large coolers or a picnic- picnic tables are conveniently located outside of our park and guests may enter and exit as many times as they wish throughout the day. Please keep these items in your vehicle.
No alcoholic beverages may be brought into the park. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are available at the Sandbar, Coconut Bob's, and The Bridge Bar and Grill. Sandcastle is a limited smoking facility, with the only designated smoking section on the lower entertainment deck by the Mushroom Pool. See a Sandcastle Team Member for details.
There are several changing and shower facilities throughout the park. They are located near Mon Tsunami Wave Pool, along the Boardwalk, and in Wet Willie's children's area.
The Park offers a variety of water-based activities for all ages and all swim levels. Height restrictions are posted for all attractions and enforced. We strongly recommend that Minors (under 18) be accompanied by an adult. Park does not assume any responsibility or liability for unattended minors.
Only you know your own, your child's, or anyone you are supervising level of swimming skills. We strongly recommend all Guests under 48" or who are weak or non-swimmers wear Coast Guard approved lifejackets where appropriate. Life jackets are available free of charge. When in doubt, wear a life jacket!
Proper swimwear must be worn on all rides and attractions.
No street clothes and no bathing attire with buckles, belts, rivets, metal, or cut-off jeans permitted. For guest safety, no masks, snorkels, or swim fins please. Goggles are permitted but they cannot have a nose piece. It is a safety hazard to the guests and it is distracting to the lifeguards. Pool toys, footballs, diving rings, etc. are not permitted in the pools.
VIRGINIA GRAEME BAKER POOL AND SPA SAFETY ACT - On December 19th, 2008, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act went into effect. This new law requires VGB Compliant Pool Drain Grates. We are VGB Compliant but please note in some applications these grates have a raised profile off the floor as mandated by the Law. Warning: Raised Grate - All our raised grates have a red circle highlighting their location. They are designed to be stepped on but in shallow water situations they may pose a tripping hazard.
Pool toys, footballs, diving rings, etc. are not permitted in the pools. Goggles are permitted but they cannot have a nose piece. It is a safety hazard to the guests and it is distracting to the lifeguards.