Hurricane Harbor Chicago will now open June 6 after Six Flags Great America delayed the Gurnee water park's 2026 season start because of cooler weekend temperatures.
The park announced the change on its official X account at 5 p.m. CDT on Thursday, May 28. Hurricane Harbor Rockford still opens May 30, giving Illinois water park guests a Six Flags option one week earlier.
May 28, 2026
Gurnee Weekend Forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for Gurnee has Saturday partly sunny with a high near 66, east northeast wind of 10 to 15 mph, and gusts as high as 25 mph. Saturday night drops near 50, followed by a mostly sunny Sunday with a high near 69.
The delay follows a choppy late-May opening stretch for several regional water parks. Cedar Point Shores, Dorney Park's Wildwater Kingdom, Carolina Harbor, and Hurricane Harbor New Jersey have all lost or shifted opening dates this month because of weather.
Guests planning a Six Flags Great America trip this weekend still have the theme park's 50th Anniversary Day Bash on Friday, May 29. Hurricane Harbor Chicago now starts the following Saturday, June 6.
Sources: Six Flags Great America official X and the National Weather Service Chicago forecast grid for Gurnee.