Indoor water park resorts make for some of the best family vacations. Not only do they feature thrills and spills for all ages, but they also offer other diversions such as arcades, bowling, ropes courses, mini-golf (and regular golf), restaurants and even spas. Plus, they’re weather-proof, making them an especially popular choice for fall vacations and winter getaways.
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1. SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Nashville, Tennessee
The Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville features SoundWaves, a music-themed indoor and outdoor water park with unique attractions including the Down Tempo Lazy River with LED lighting and music, and Rapid Remix, an adrenaline-inducing water slide with tunes blasting from a dozen speakers. Outside of the water park, the Gaylord Opryland is a destination in itself, with restaurants, a spa, shopping, signature holiday events (featuring a new theme each year) and more.
2. Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort
Sevierville, Tennessee
Wilderness at the Smokies offers three unique water parks near Great Smoky Mountain National Park. At the recently expanded Wild Waterdome, new attractions include the three-story Ridge Runner water coaster and Kaleidoscope Kavern, a tunnel where riders are immersed in the local sights and sounds. Additionally, the resort offers more than a dozen dining options (several of which are new) and a family entertainment center with laser tag and ropes courses. Accommodations include traditional hotel rooms and suites, plus villas and cabins.
3. Great Wolf Lodge
Multiple Water Parks in the U.S. and Canada
With about two dozen locations across the U.S. (plus one in Canada), Great Wolf Lodge is easily accessible for many families in North America. In addition to its epic indoor water parks, Great Wolf Lodge offers a variety of signature attractions and experiences including the MagiQuest live-action game, Howl at the Moon Glow Golf and Adventures of the Great Wolf Pack story time. While resort day passes are available, the themed hotel rooms—which include a KidCabin Suite where youngsters can “camp out”—are worth a visit on their own.
4. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Multiple Water Parks in the U.S.
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has safari-themed resorts in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Each resort features indoor and outdoor water parks, plus outdoor adventure parks with ziplining, ropes courses, mini-golf, and rock climbing. The resorts also offer restaurants, full-service spas, shopping and accommodations for families of all sizes. The Wisconsin Dells location is currently undergoing an $85-million expansion that will add another water park to the property, while a fifth resort location in Virginia is planned for 2026.
5. The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Monticello, New York
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark spans two acres of thrills that include seven water slides, a sprayground for little ones, a lazy river, FlowRider surf simulator, and a heated indoor/outdoor pool. Located in the Catskills, this indoor water park resort also offers rock climbing, ropes courses, an arcade, bowling alley, daily scheduled activities, and six onsite dining options plus a bar. Accommodations include rooms with bunk beds and multi-bedroom suites.
6. Wilderness Resort
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Wilderness Resort features four outdoor water parks and four indoor water parks including recently renovated Cubby’s Cove, designed for toddlers and young kids. When it’s time for a break from the water, take your pick between three arcades, go-karting, laser tag, ropes courses, rock climbing, a flight-simulating ride, escape rooms, paint-your-own pottery and more. Over two dozen restaurants, a spa, an 18-hole golf course and multiple lodging options round out the offerings at this resort.
7. Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
Situated in the Pocono Mountains, Camelback Resort has it all: skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing at Camelback Mountain Ski Resort; outdoor water fun at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark; ziplining, ropes courses, and a mountain coaster at the Mountain Adventure Park; and indoor water thrills at Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, open year-round. Aquatopia has more than a dozen water slides, plus a FlowRider surfing simulator, lazy river, wave pool, spray ground for youngsters, and more.
8. Moose Mountain Falls at Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Timber Ridge Lodge‘s location on Geneva Lake means you can take advantage of outdoor water sports in addition to indoor water fun at Moose Mountain Falls. The indoor water park is especially well suited to families with young kids. Its waterslides are just 35 feet high, and there’s also a sprayground and lazy river. In the summer months, guests can take advantage of the resort’s outdoor pools and water features.
9. King’s Pointe Water Park Resort
Storm Lake, Iowa
King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort wows families with its indoor and outdoor water parks, both of which received a refresh in 2024. Attractions include The Intrepid Cyclone, a 245-foot open water slide, and The Electric Eel, an enclosed slide for solo or tandem riders. There’s also a lily pad walk, zero-entry depth pool, lazy river, and splash pad for youngsters. Book one of the Sunrise Cottages, which sleep up to eight guests and overlook Storm Lake.
10. Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark at Bridges Bay Resort
Arnolds Park, Iowa
Located on Lake Okoboji, Bridges Bay Resort offers easy access to activities on the lake and amusements at nearby Arnolds Park; spacious condos with fully equipped kitchens; and the on-site Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark. Ideal for younger kids, the water park has water slides, a lazy river, lily pad water walk, basketball area, water-dropping mushroom, splash pad with a 500-gallon dump bucket and more. There’s a giant swimming pool outside, as well as ziplining.
11. Massanutten Resort Water Park
McGaheysville, Virginia
Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Resort Water Park rewards guests with an incredible mountain location and both indoor and outdoor water parks. The indoor water park offers a lazy river, spray grounds, tube and body slides, a FlowRider surfing simulator, and hot tubs (including an adults-only option). When you need a break from the water, head to the Massanutten Family Adventure Park for ziplining, ropes courses, a bounce house, and in the winter, snow tubing.
12. Cascades Indoor Waterpark at Hope Lake Lodge and Conference Center
Cortland, New York
After a day on the slopes at Greek Peak Mountain Resort, trade your snow pants for your swim suit at Cascades Indoor Waterpark. Located at Hope Lake Lodge, this water park has four water slides, a wave pool, interactive play structures and hot tubs. Guests of the resort can also take advantage of the on-site Adventure Center, which offers ziplining, ropes courses, a mountain coaster, mountain bike rentals and a bounce house, plus winter sports rentals.
13. Pump House Indoor Waterpark at Jay Peak Resort
Jay, Vermont
Whether you’ve spent a day on the slopes at Jay Peak Resort or not, the hot tubs at the onsite Pump House Indoor Waterpark—which include a 20-person outdoor hot tub—are a welcome respite on a cold winter’s day. This four-season mountain resort’s indoor water park resort also has a FlowRider surfing simulator, activity pool, splash pad, and four waterslides. La Chute is most definitely the highlight, featuring a near-vertical drop and a full 360-degree rotation at 45 mph.
