Skydiving – 14 Best Indoor Water Park Resorts in the U.S. (2023)

Indoor water park resorts aren’t just perfect for a fun weekend escape. The best indoor water parks offer so much to do that they’re complete family vacation spots all on their own and make for affordable fall vacations and winter getaways.

At the best indoor water park resorts in the U.S., you’ll find all the usual water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. But that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. You’ll also find other family-friendly activities like bowling, zip-lining, indoor mini-golf, ice skating, horseback riding, and so much more. Plus, the onsite dining, spa services, and comfy accommodations add to an already pretty great getaway.

The Best Indoor Water Parks in the U.S.

From Vermont to California, and almost every state in-between, there are plenty of indoor water parks to make a splash with the kids any time of year. Now put that water park inside an all-in-one resort and parents get to have just as much fun as the kids. Here are the best U.S. indoor water park resorts for everyone in the family. 

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1. Great Wolf Lodge

Multiple Locations

Great Wolf Lodge is easily accessible for many families, with 19 Great Wolf Lodge locations across the U.S. and one in Niagara Falls, Canada. All Great Wolf properties feature indoor water parks with slides, spraygrounds, lazy rivers, and wave pools. But the water park is just part of the fun at Great Wolf Lodge.

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Other offerings include nightly story time, ropes courses, glow-in-the-dark golf, bowling, and even a spa for the kiddos. All of the resorts offer multiple dining options and, perhaps our favorite feature, spacious themed hotel rooms that include the KidCabin Suite, where little ones get to camp out in their own enclosed space. 

2. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

Multiple Locations 

Another crowd favorite with several properties, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania; and Round Rock, Texas. All locations offer both indoor and outdoor water parks, plus outdoor adventure parks with ziplining, ropes courses, mini-golf, rock climbing, and more.

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These safari-themed water park resorts also have shopping, spas, signature restaurants, and accommodations for families of all sizes, including three- to 10-bedroom villas. 

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 our 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, a spa, and more. 

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

Sevierville, Tennessee

Located in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains, Wilderness at the Smokies is actually three 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, there’s another water park (Soaky Mountain Waterpark) across the street, too!

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This mega resort offers three different hotels, with accommodations ranging from standard guestrooms to multi-bedroom villas; nearly a dozen dining options, including the new Candy Cabin; retail shops; and a family entertainment center with laser tag, ropes courses, and more.

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! Moose Mountain Falls, located inside the lodge, 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 an indoor and 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 Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark.

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Best for young 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  

Located 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; zip lining, ropes courses, and a mountain coaster at Mountain Adventure Park; and indoor water thrills at Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, available year-round.

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Aquatopia features 16 attractions, 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. Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park at Red Jacket Mountain View Resort

North Conway, New Hampshire

Two words: Kahuna Laguna. That’s the star attraction at Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, a family resort in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The largest water park in the Granite State, Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park offers a three-story water slide tower, wave pool, hot tubs, spray ground, splash pad with erupting geysers, water basketball, and the Aquabrella, a giant umbrella with cascading water.

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When it’s time for a break, head to Keeko’s Hideout, named for the water park’s monkey mascot (who you’re likely to spot while there), the Tiki Tide Cafe for a bite to eat, or the Aloha Arcade. (Editor’s note: The Red Jacket Mountain View Resort was damaged by fire in 2022 and is currently set to reopen in fall 2023.)

12. 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 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.

13. 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, and Rapid Remix, an adrenaline-inducing water slide with tunes blasting from 12 speakers.

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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.

14. 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 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, the resort also features 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.

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