- The best indoor water parks in the U.S. are open year-round, but they’re especially great when the weather gets colder and outdoor options are less appealing.
- Many indoor water park resorts are all-in-one vacation spots where entertainment, dining, and overnight accommodations are all included in the price.
- These are my picks for the biggest and best U.S. indoor water park resorts that go above and beyond the ordinary with fun extras like like bowling, zip lining, and miniature golf all year round.
Indoor water parks resorts aren’t just perfect for a fun weekend escape. The best indoor water parks have so much going for them that they’re like miniature family vacation spots all on their own. And when the weather starts to cool, they make for affordable fall vacations and winter getaways for the whole family.
Best Indoor Water Parks and Water Park Resorts
At the best indoor water park resorts in the U.S., you’ll find all the usual water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools you’d expect—but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll also find family-friendly activities like bowling, zip lining, indoor mini-golf, ice skating, and even horseback riding. Onsite dining, spa services, and comfy accommodations add to an already pretty great all-in-one getaway, too.
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1. Great Wolf Lodge
Multiple Water Parks in the U.S. and Canada
With more than 20 Great Wolf Lodge locations across the U.S. (and one in Canada), Great Wolf Lodge’s indoor water park resorts are easily accessible for many families in North America. All Great Wolf properties feature indoor water parks with slides, spraygrounds, lazy rivers, and wave pools. But one of the things that sets the Great Wolf Lodge experience apart from the rest is that the water park is just part of the fun.
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Also available nationwide at these water park resorts are nightly story time for toddlers and little kids, ropes courses, glow-in-the-dark golf, bowling, and even a spa for the kiddos. Great Wolf really commits to the theming throughout its resort, and its exclusive MagiQuest live-action adventure game gives kids a chance to explore the whole property on a fun interactive quest involving spells and magic wands. All of the resorts also have multiple dining options and, perhaps my favorite feature, spacious themed hotel rooms that include the KidCabin Suite, where your kids can “camp out” in their own enclosed space.
A few standout locations include Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls (with a 100,000-square-foot indoor water park), Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells (76,000 square feet), and Great Wolf Lodge Northern California (95,000 square feet).
2. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Multiple Water Parks in the U.S.
Another favorite with several indoor water parks around the the country, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has resorts in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. A new location in Virginia is planned for 2026. Each of the resort locations offers both indoor and outdoor water parks, plus outdoor adventure parks with zip lining, ropes courses, mini-golf, and rock climbing.
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These safari-themed indoor water park resorts are consistently voted among the very best indoor water parks by families, and they also have shopping areas, spas, restaurants, and accommodations for families of all sizes. If you have a large family or are traveling as a multigenerational group, opt for a three- to 10-bedroom villa that gives you even more space to stretch out than a standard hotel room.
3. Wilderness Resort
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Did you know Wisconsin Dells is the Water Park Capital of the World? Home to 20 water parks (and counting), including Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari Resorts, and one of my personal all-time favorites, Wilderness Resort, the Dells and all its indoor water parks are a popular spot for winter vacations when the weather outside is frightful.
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The mega Wilderness Resort features four indoor water parks and four outdoor water parks with something for all ages, from kiddie pools to thrill rides. There are five options for accommodations, multiple restaurants, and a spa.
4. Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark
Monticello, New York
Opened in 2019, the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark is one of the newest indoor water park resorts in the U.S. But it’s quickly become one of the best thanks to 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.
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Located in the Catskills, a popular New York vacation destination, this indoor water park resort also offers rock climbing, ropes courses, an arcade, bowling alley, daily scheduled activities, and eight onsite dining options. Accommodations include rooms with bunk beds and multi-bedroom suites.
5. Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort
Sevierville, Tennessee
Located in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains, Wilderness at the Smokies is actually three unique water parks: one indoor water park called Wild Waterdome and two outdoor water parks called Lake Wilderness and Salamander Springs. As if that’s not enough water action, there’s another water park (Soaky Mountain Waterpark) right across the street, too.
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This mega water park resort offers has a few different hotels options with accommodations ranging from standard guest rooms to multi-bedroom villas. There’s also nearly a dozen dining options, including the new Candy Cabin; retail shops; a family entertainment center with laser tag and ropes courses; and a 36-hole championship golf course adjacent to the resort.
6. Moose Mountain Falls at Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Located in Wisconsin’s Lake Geneva area, Timber Ridge Lodge is close to all the water fun on Geneva Lake and a 50,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor water park right onsite! Located inside the lodge, Moose Mountain Falls is heated to 86 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and offers a heated pool, lazy river, and tame water slides, making it one the best indoor water park resorts for families with young kids.
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Water pater admission is included with your stay; the number of free passes you receive depends on your accommodations. The water park resort also offers plenty of activities out of the water, including miniature golf, an arcade, horseback riding, and so much more.
7. King’s Pointe Water Park Resort
Storm Lake, Iowa
About 2.5 hours from Des Moines, King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort wows kids with both an indoor water park and a seasonal outdoor water park located on Storm Lake. Favorite water slides include The Howling Hurricane, an open-flume body slide; The Mighty Mustang and Racing Panther, dual speed slides; and Discovery Plunge, a two-person raft ride.
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There’s also a lily pad walk, zero-entry depth pool, lazy river, and splash pad for youngsters. Book a guestroom or suite with a view of the lake and the outdoor water park, or cozy up in one of the Sunrise Cottages, which sleep up to eight guests.
8. Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark at Bridges Bay Resort
Arnolds Park, Iowa
Located on Lake Okoboji, a popular summer time destination for Iowans and Midwest family vacations, Bridges Bay Resort offers easy access to activities on the lake and amusements at Arnolds Park, spacious condos with fully equipped kitchens, and the year-round Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark.
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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 (always the highlight), and more. There’s a swimming pool outside, as well as ziplining.
9. Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
Situated in the gorgeous Pocono Mountains, Camelback Resort has it all: skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing at Camelback Mountain Ski Resort; outdoor water fun at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark; zip lining, ropes courses, and a mountain coaster at Mountain Adventure Park; and indoor water thrills at Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, open year-round.
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Aquatopia has 16 family-friendly attractions, more than half of which are water slides, and the indoor park recently launched a new slide called Mountain Mayhem that features multi-colored lighting effects and visuals projected inside the slide. There’s also a FlowRider surfing simulator, lazy river, wave pool, spray ground for youngsters, and a “spa lagoon” where everyone can relax. When it’s time for a break from the water park, head back to your suite or one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment to freshen up before a spa treatment or dinner at one of the onsite restaurants.
10. 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 ground, tube and body slides, FlowRider surfing simulator, and hot tubs.
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You can also ski, golf, enjoy a spa treatment, explore the Massanutten Family Adventure Park, go mountain biking, and more at this kid-friendly family resort. Don’t miss out on the kid zone programs and other family-friendly activities like cooking demonstrations, art workshops, evening shows, and scuba diving.
11. Cascades Indoor Waterpark at Hope Lake Lodge and Conference Center
Cortland, New York
Located at Greek Peak Mountain Resort in the Finger Lakes, Hope Lake Lodge offers convenient and cozy accommodations for skiers and snowboarders. Even better than that? It also has an onsite indoor water park that will add a splash of fun to any New York vacation with kids! Cascades Indoor Waterpark has water slides, a kiddie pool, standard indoor pool, hot tubs, and more for guests to enjoy.
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Guests of the resort can also take advantage of the numerous activities at the Adventure Center, which features zip-lining, a mountain coaster, and snow tubing. If a little relaxation is in order, the on-site spa provides the prefect spot to unwind.
12. SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Nashville, Tennessee
In 2018, the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville opened its best addition yet: SoundWaves, an indoor water park, which was later expanded to include an outdoor water park, too. Heated to a balmy 84 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, the water park resort features music-themed attractions including the Down Tempo Lazy River with LED lighting and music.
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I also love the Rapid Remix attraction, an adrenaline-inducing water slide with tunes blasting from 12 speakers. Outside of the water park, the Gaylord Opryland is a destination in itself, with restaurants, a spa, shopping, seasonal events (like I Love Christmas Movies), and more.
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. Located at one of the top family ski resorts in the region, 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 full 360-degree rotation at 45 mph.
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Though there is plenty to do in the surrounding area of Vermont, Jay Peak Resort also has an on-site arcade, movie theater, disc golf course, mountain biking trail, summer tram rides, indoor ice arena, and so much more to keep you and the kids entertained.
