The 5 Best Wave Pools to Surf in America

Palm Springs Surf Club, Palm Springs, California

Nestled in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs turns into a scorching desert most of the year. For many years, Knott’s Soak City was a water park oasis before it closed and was converted into the wave-churning facility it is today. There’s an a-frame split peak, a barreling wedge and tapered turn sections.

According to the website, the tube should not be taken lightly as “These slabby cylinders give surfers the option to pull in off the takeoff and come out in time to do one or two more turns if you are quick enough. The end section makes its presence known on these waves, it's thick and powerful so bring all the power you can to it. Like the mellow A-Frames, stay in the pocket. These waves come in 3 wave sets with an 8-second interval between waves and approximately one and a half minutes between sets.”

Like other man-made waves popping up these days, there’s a full-service restaurant, bar and lazy river to hit when you have some downtime. While you can book private sessions, one hour of pool time will cost $100 to $200, depending on a skill level. You can watch Mason Ho indulge in the PSSC here. 

Skudin Surf American Dream, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Hour-long sessions in this indoor pool run you $145, but this pool is unique in that it offers two-hour slots ($290). The price uptick, however, is matched by a rise in the types of waves you can ride here. There are split peaks, tapered point-break-esque waves, short slabby tubes, the full range. Most rides are quick, between 3-8 seconds, so there is usually a lot of action in the water. Between 1-16 surfers can be in the lineup. All the more remarkable when you consider this pool was initially built for swimming, not surfing. But go there on an average day, and you’d never know it. The waves are usually in the 3-4 foot range and break in clear, warm water. Fun for the whole fam. 

Surf Ranch, Lemore, California

Though it’s out of the price range for most folks, there’s no denying that Kelly Slater’s pool in Lemore, California, pumps out the longest barrels and walls. Nowhere else in the States offers a six-foot tube and rippable sections for nearly 45 seconds (yet). The wave is customizable to ability level, and there’s no shortage of five-star amenities (like hot tubs and airstreams) on site. However, getting a wave ain’t cheap.

Fully booking the facility will run around $50K-$70K. A group of 10 surfers can expect to pay between $7,000-$5,000 per day, depending on the season. With 15 waves produced per hour for 8 hours (120 waves), you’re spending a pretty penny on the ride, but damn it’s pretty. As Wave Pool magazine put it, “The world’s best surfer on the world’s best human-made wave captivated anyone who has ever surfed.”

Revel Surf, Mesa, Arizona

While the doors don’t officially open until January 2025, this two-acre lagoon already looks like a slam dunk for pool enthusiasts. The operation is seven years in the making and uses a new tech called Swell Machines. Operators can customize long, peeling lefts or rights for a relatively affordable price.

The rides cost $139 an hour for bigger, better waves, while the intermediate and beginner sessions cost $129 and $119, respectively. Each surfer should get 12 waves per hour-long session. As part of the Canon Beach resort venue, the wave pool is surrounded by hotels, retail and gaming areas like bowling and go-karts. Not a bad way to cool off in the desert.