Make a Splash With the Kids Any Time of Year—Here Are the 16 Best Indoor Water Parks in the U.S.

Kelsey Kryger
·9 min read

No matter the season, have a blast at one of these popular indoor water parks.

Visiting a water park is a fun and family-friendly activity guaranteed to provide everybody with a memorable day. Tall slides, lazy rivers and inner tube water rides are abundant at the best water parks, meaning that visitors of all ages can have a great day full of aquatic activities.

Going to a water park may seem like a summertime-only activity, but there are actually tons of options in the U.S. that are making visits accessible year-round. So where are the best indoor water parks?

If a tropical getaway is out of the picture in the fall and winter months, you can easily create a budget-friendly trip to an indoor water park instead! They're even a great activity in the spring or summer if you want to escape the blistering sun.

You may be familiar with the names of large outdoor water parks, like Volcano Bay or Blizzard Beach. However, familiarize yourself with this list of the 16 best indoor water parks in the U.S. instead to make a splash with your family all year long! From Wisconsin to New Hampshire, here are the best indoor water parks that you can't miss out on.

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16 Best Indoor Water Parks

1. Kalahari Resorts, Multiple Locations

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You may already be familiar with Kalahari Resorts, and that's because it is one of the most popular resorts and indoor water parks in the U.S. They are a larger chain of resorts, with locations in Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio and Wisconsin. It doesn't matter which location you visit—Kalahari has tons of thrills. With huge slides, a lazy river and a flow rider, it's hard to believe that everything fits indoors. Spring break is here, so why not plan a mini-getaway to Kalahari? Nice weather is guaranteed!

2. Castaway Bay, Ohio

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Planning a visit to Cedar Point or Cedar Point Shores? Make sure to include Castaway Bay in your itinerary! Located in Sandusky, Ohio, Castaway Bay is just a short drive from the popular theme park. It may still be cold this time of year in Ohio, but 38,000 square feet of indoor water park fun is guaranteed to help you temporarily escape to paradise. There are also lots of kid-friendly activities every day. It's always summer at Castaway Bay!

3. Kahuna Laguna, New Hampshire

Want to get drenched from a 150-gallon tipping bucket, play a competitive game of water basketball, or slip-and-slide through a high-speed tube? Look no further than Kahuna Laguna, northern New England's first-ever indoor water park. Despite it being indoors, the interior is full of windows with a beautiful New Hampshire view to make you feel like you're still getting a taste of Mother Nature. During the warmer months, there's an outdoor pool available, but not to fret—it's 82 degrees inside the Kahuna Laguna water park all year long!

4. DreamWorks Water Park, New Jersey

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If you're under the impression that bigger is better, you're going to love this one. DreamWorks Water Park is the largest indoor water park in the United States. This indoor water park is tucked within the American Dream Shopping and Entertainment Complex at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They have 15 water slides and 15 aquatic attractions for everybody to enjoy! Everything is themed to—you guessed it—DreamWorks films. Hello, Shrek and friends!

5. Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort, Pennsylvania

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Splash Lagoon is one of the highest-rated indoor water parks in America. Known for offering cleanliness and great value, this Polynesian-themed indoor water park is sure to make the kids smile...no matter how cold it is outside. It's got all your typical water park features, and then some, including a treetop ropes course, a gigantic arcade and a five-story Tiki Treehouse to climb.

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6. Wilderness at the Smokies, Tennessee

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Want to feel like you're immersed in the Great Smoky Mountains, minus the steep hike? Wilderness at the Smokies indoor water park is open year-round in Sevierville, Tennessee. Staying at the resort provides a cozy and comfortable experience for the whole family with tons of dining options on the property. Not to mention, there are other popular attractions close by, like the Dolly Parton Statue, Sevier County Courthouse and more.

7. Avalanche Bay, Michigan

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Avalanche Bay is open daily for the winter season, making it a top attraction for folks residing in Michigan and other closeby states in the Midwest. The popular indoor water park is located in the Mountain Resort property. Since it's located right on a mountain, it's fitting that the overarching theme is all things winter. If you're staying at the resort, you could enjoy outdoor skiing and an indoor water park on the same day! Where else can you do that?

8. Great Wolf Lodge, Multiple Locations

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The Great Wolf Lodge is another chain of indoor water parks—and quite a large one. There are locations in the following states:

  • California

  • Georgia

  • North Carolina

  • Illinois

  • Ohio

  • Colorado

  • Texas

  • Washington

  • Kansas

  • Minnesota

  • Massachusetts

  • Pennsylvania

  • Ohio

  • Arizona

  • Michigan

  • Wisconsin

  • Virginia

Plus, they have more locations that are coming soon. No matter where you live or travel to, there's likely a Great Wolf Lodge close by! Each location offers a different experience, but one thing is certain: everyone can play and live like a kid here, no matter their age. Enjoy the abundance of lazy rivers, water ponds and more!

9. Wings & Waves, Oregon

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Lots of indoor water parks can feel similar in theme or setup, but Wings & Waves indoor water park in Oregon boasts quite a unique experience. It truly sets itself apart with its innovative aviation-themed park! You won't be able to miss it with the huge plane resting atop the property. Inside, you can soar and slide to different heights. Aside from lots of water attractions to choose from, you can expand your knowledge with a visit to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.

10. Massanutten Indoor Water Park, Virginia

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The most common review that people leave about Massanutten Resort's Indoor Water Park is that there is something for everybody to enjoy. Teenagers and adults may sometimes have trouble enjoying water parks, as they can be geared more toward children. That's not the case here! The park boasts many accolades, including being voted the #2 Indoor Water Park in America in 2018.

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11. Epic Waters Indoor Water Park, Texas

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Everything's bigger in Texas, and their indoor water parks are no exception to this rule. Epic Waters is the largest indoor water park in Texas, spanning over 80,000 square feet. Unlike many indoor water parks, Epic Waters is open year-round so you can enjoy the aquatic hangout, no matter what season. Epic Waters has cool recurring events, such as their popular Twilight Swim on select evenings.

12. Grand Country Resort, Missouri

Missouri is known to provide a harsh winter, but luckily the Grand Country Resort's indoor water park exists! Whether it's cold outside or you're the victim of a rainy spring day, stopping by this indoor water park will save the day. Some indoor water parks located within resorts are for guests to exclusively enjoy, but this newer water park welcomes the public with open arms, too! Tickets are affordable with all the amenities and entertainment options under one roof.

13. Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark at Camelback Resort, Pennsylvania

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Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark is home to the Camelback Resort in Pennsylvania, which is a ski resort that boasts gorgeous, mountainside views. It was voted the #1 indoor water park in the U.S. if you're seeking out the best of the best! We suggest renting a private cabana for the day. It's the perfect lounge spot as you and your family conquer the thirteen different water slides at the park!

14. WaTiki Water Park Resort, South Dakota

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If someone dares to ask what activities there are to enjoy in South Dakota, we'd quickly suggest they check out the WaTiki Water Park Resort. It was renovated last summer, so everything is state-of-the-art. It's connected to a chain of five different resorts and is open year-round. WaTiki is an ideal spot for hosting winter birthday parties, family reunions or when you just need to enjoy some time in the water.

15. Big Kahuna's, New Jersey

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Big Kahuna's indoor water park provides family-friendly, weatherproof fun to the tri-state area. This indoor water park is in West Berlin, New Jersey—but less than a half hour from East Philadelphia and 90 minutes south of New York, making it convenient for many folks to visit. It's open year-round to the public and uniquely offers an outdoor water park during the warmer months, weather permitting. The water park is 80,000 square feet and features a retractable roof.

16. Timber Ridge Lodge & Water Park, Wisconsin

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Close to the popular U.S. cities of Chicago and Milwaukee is the Timber Ridge Lodge and Indoor Water Park in Wisconsin. The Timber Ridge Lodge has a huge focus on the great outdoors, offering up experiences like horseback riding, archery and skiing to guests. Their 50,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor water park follows that same theme by replicating an interior forest. With a Tiny Timbers section for the young ones, 35-foot-high slides for the risk-takers and a long wrap of lazy river, there is something for everybody.

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