Top 10 Best Indoor Water Parks in the US to Visit in 2023
by Surya
Updated Apr 08, 2023
Indoor Water Park Resorts US
Water parks are recreational destinations that feature water-based activities and attractions, such as swimming pools, water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and splash pads. These parks offer fun and entertainment for people of all ages, making them a popular destination for families, groups of friends, and tourists.
Water parks have been around for centuries, with ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans building public baths for social and recreational purposes. However, the modern concept of a water park can be traced back to the 1940s and 1950s, when a handful of hotels and resorts began to add swimming pools and water slides as a way to attract guests.
The first standalone water park was Wet 'n Wild in Orlando, Florida, which opened in 1977 and featured 20 water slides and several other attractions. Since then, water parks have become a major industry, with hundreds of parks around the world offering a wide variety of water-based activities.
Check out our article on Top 10 Best Amusement Parks in the World 2023 if you are a fun-loving person
Top 10 Best Indoor Water Parks in the US 2023
Rank
Indoor Water Park Name
Location
Size (sq. ft.)
Key Attractions
1
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Wisconsin Dells, WI
220,000
FlowRider, Victoria Falls, Screaming Hyena
2
Great Wolf Lodge
Traverse City, MI
38,000
Lazy river, wave pool, multiple water slides
3
Wilderness Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
4 parks
Wave pools, lazy rivers, water slides, surf simulator
4
Massanutten Resort
McGaheysville, VA
42,000
Water slides, wave pool, lazy river
5
Coco Key Water Resort
Orlando, FL
54,000
Shark Slam, Dip-In Theater, arcade, mini golf
6
Grand Sierra Resort
Reno, NV
25,000
Water slide, climbing wall, indoor pool
7
Splash Lagoon
Erie, PA
100,000+
Wave pool, water slides, lazy river, arcade, laser tag
8
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
Boyne Falls, MI
88,000
Big Couloir, Rip Zone, Splasherhorn family play area
9
Water Park of America
Bloomington, MN
70,000+
Water slides, wave pool, lazy river, ropes course, mini golf
10
Chula Vista Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
200,000
Black Hole, Adventure River, spa, multiple restaurants
Best Indoor Water Parks in the US 2023
Indoor water parks have become increasingly popular in the US, offering year-round fun and entertainment for families and individuals. Here are the top 10 best indoor water parks in the US:
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions - Wisconsin Dells, WI
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is the largest indoor water park in the US, boasting 220,000 square feet of aquatic fun. With attractions like the FlowRider surf simulator, the Victoria Falls family raft ride, and the Screaming Hyena water coaster, there's something for everyone at Kalahari.
Great Wolf Lodge - Traverse City, MI
Great Wolf Lodge features a 38,000-square-foot indoor water park, complete with a lazy river, wave pool, and multiple water slides. There's also an outdoor water park that's open during the summer months, as well as other family-friendly activities like miniature golf and an arcade.
Wilderness Resort - Wisconsin Dells, WI
The Wilderness Resort is the largest water park resort in America, featuring four indoor and four outdoor water parks. The indoor parks offer everything from wave pools and lazy rivers to water slides and a surf simulator.
Massanutten Resort - McGaheysville, VA
The Massanutten Resort is a popular destination for families, with a 42,000-square-foot indoor water park that includes water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. There's also an outdoor water park, as well as other activities like skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.
Coco Key Water Resort - Orlando, FL
Coco Key Water Resort is located in the heart of Orlando, and offers 54,000 square feet of indoor water park fun. With attractions like the Shark Slam water slide and the Dip-In Theater, as well as an arcade and mini golf course, there's something for everyone at Coco Key.
Grand Sierra Resort - Reno, NV
The Grand Sierra Resort is home to the largest indoor water park in northern Nevada, with 25,000 square feet of aquatic fun. Highlights include a 50-foot water slide, a 21-foot climbing wall, and a heated indoor pool.
Splash Lagoon - Erie, PA
Splash Lagoon is a year-round indoor water park with over 100,000 square feet of aquatic fun. Attractions include a wave pool, water slides, and a lazy river, as well as an arcade and laser tag arena.
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark - Boyne Falls, MI
Located inside the Boyne Mountain Resort, Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark features over 88,000 square feet of aquatic fun. Highlights include the Big Couloir water slide, the Rip Zone surf simulator, and the Splasherhorn family play area.
Water Park of America - Bloomington, MN
The Water Park of America is the largest indoor water park in the Midwest, with over 70,000 square feet of aquatic fun. Attractions include water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river, as well as a ropes course and mini golf course.
Chula Vista Resort - Wisconsin Dells, WI
Chula Vista Resort features a 200,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor water park, with highlights like the Black Hole water slide and the Adventure River lazy river. There's also a spa and multiple restaurants on site.
What is the Best Water Park in the United States?
Determining the best water park in the United States is subjective and can depend on personal preferences and experiences. However, there are several water parks that consistently rank highly in terms of popularity, size, and overall guest satisfaction.
One of the most highly-regarded water parks in the United States is Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. With an impressive size of 220,000 square feet, Kalahari is the largest indoor water park in the United States. The park features a variety of attractions, including the FlowRider surfing simulator, Victoria Falls raft ride, and the Screaming Hyena water coaster. Additionally, Kalahari offers several other amenities, such as a spa, indoor theme park, and multiple dining options.
Another highly-rated water park is the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Texas. Schlitterbahn is a popular destination for families and thrill-seekers alike, offering attractions such as the Master Blaster water coaster, the Boogie Bahn surfing simulator, and several water slides. The park also features a variety of unique attractions, such as the Tubenbach river system and the Blastenhoff Beach wave pool.
Great Wolf Lodge, with several locations across the United States, is another highly-regarded water park destination. Great Wolf Lodge offers a variety of water park attractions, including the River Canyon Run raft ride, the Howlin' Tornado funnel ride, and the Triple Twist water slide. In addition to the water park, Great Wolf Lodge also offers other amenities such as an arcade, mini-golf course, and several dining options.
Other highly-regarded water parks in the United States include Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks in Orlando, Florida, which offer a variety of water-based attractions themed around Disney characters and stories. The Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin is another highly-rated destination, offering four separate water parks with a variety of attractions, including water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.
Ultimately, the best water park in the United States depends on individual preferences and experiences. Factors such as location, size, and types of attractions can all play a role in determining the best water park for a particular individual or group. However, the aforementioned water parks are consistently ranked among the top in the United States and are likely to provide a fun and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.
Types of Water Parks
There are several different types of water parks, including:
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Outdoor Water Parks: These parks are typically open only during the summer months and feature a variety of outdoor attractions, such as water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.
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Indoor Water Parks: These parks are open year-round and are typically housed inside large buildings, making them a great option for those looking for a fun activity during the winter months or on rainy days.
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Water Park Resorts: These are resorts that feature a combination of hotel rooms and water park attractions, making them a popular destination for families and tourists.
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Water Park Cruises: These are cruises that offer onboard water parks and other water-based activities for passengers.
Top 10 Best Indoor Water Parks in the US 2023 - FAQs
The largest indoor water park in the United States is Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, which covers an area of 220,000 square feet.
Popular attractions at water parks in the United States include water coasters, wave pools, lazy rivers, raft rides, and surfing simulators.
No, water parks are not just for families with children. Many water parks offer a variety of attractions that can appeal to all ages, from thrill-seekers to those looking for a relaxing day in the sun.
While water parks can be found in many states throughout the United States, not every state has a water park. Some states have multiple water parks, while others have none.
Many water parks also offer additional amenities such as arcades, mini-golf courses, spas, restaurants, and indoor theme parks. These amenities can add to the overall experience and provide options for visitors who may want a break from the water attractions.