10 Best Water Parks in the US
Where to Find the Best Waterparks in the United States
If you are planning your next travel adventure and want to include a stop at a water park, bookmark this list. Options include raging river rapids at the super popular Dollywood’s Splash Country in Tennessee. Or maybe you are heading to Nashville and want to chill on the lazy river at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort.
Most of the water parks on this list are outdoors, so they are only open seasonally. Many of them are part of larger resorts with dining and hotel options for an all-inclusive getaway. And a few of these water parks are indoors, which means you can visit them year-round. So join us on a splash-filled tour of the best US water parks.
1. Dollywood’s Splash Country
A super popular park to make a splash
Good for: Families, Adventure
If you are one of the millions of visitors to the ever-popular Dollywood resort in Tennessee in the summer months, you might want to add Dollywood’s Splash Country to your itinerary. Located in Pigeon Forge, the water park is found near Great Smoky Mountain National Park and was inspired by Dolly Parton’s childhood swimming spots nearby.
There are rides for everyone, including a splash pad for the littlest visitors. There are raging rapids and rides to get your heart pumping and lazy floats for relaxation. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat too. Dollywood’s Splash Country is open from May through to September.
Location: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 800-365-5996
Dollywood's Splash Country
2. H2OBX Waterpark
Exhilarating thrill rides in Outer Banks
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
If you are headed to the Outer Banks for summer vacation, H2OBX is a water park with tons of thrill rides. Experience Paradise Plunge, a 9-story free-fall waterslide. Or maybe you’d like to walk the plank, as the floor drops out from under you and you drop 90 ft. The 80-acre park is located in Powells Point and opens seasonally.
There are plenty of rides for the entire family in addition to those just for children. For little ones, there’s the Pelican Plunge, less thrilling than the free-fall, but perfect for small guests. There are plenty of eateries to enjoy while playing in the sun. There are also rides where the whole family can float together.
Location: 8526 Caratoke Hwy, Powells Point, NC 27966, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 252-491-3000
H2OBX Waterpark
3. Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
Music City’s most watery attraction
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families
Heading to Nashville? Then you might want to add Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort to your trip. The water park is only one part of the sprawling 385-acre resort along the banks of the Percy Priest Lake. There’s also a campground and cabins. The water park has more than 1 million gallons of the wet stuff to help you cool off and have a blast.
The complex at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort has 10 water slides, in addition to multiple pools and a beach. There’s also the Kowabunga Beach, a giant water tree house, and spray-ground. Don’t forget to check out the giant wave pool and also the lazy river for all your floating needs. The water park is open seasonally.
Location: 4001 Bell Rd, Hermitage, TN 37076, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 615-889-7050
Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
4. Water World
A world of thrills and chills awaits near Denver
Good for: Adventure, Families, Food
Water World is a sprawling water park located just minutes from downtown Denver. The park is huge, more than 70 acres in size, and features over 50 rides, slides, and attractions. Water World is located in Federal Heights, which is about a 20-minute drive from the city center.
The park has special areas designated for small children as well as thrill rides like water coasters. There are wave pools and family raft rides as well. The Voyage to the Center of the Earth has a high thrill level and will take you back in time to dinosaur days. And, after all your fun in the sun, there are numerous eateries to refuel at.
Location: 8801 N Pecos St, Federal Heights, CO 80260, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 303-427-7873
Water World
5. Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels
Beat the Texas heat
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families
Northeast of San Antonio along the banks of the Comal River, you’ll find the Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels. If you are looking to beat the heat in Texas Hill Country, Schlitterbahn Waterpark has got you covered. The name Schlitterbahn means “slippery road” in German.
There are rivers, rides, slides, and chutes at Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and the original section of the park even has rides with the icy water from a natural spring. There’s a small water coaster made just for children, while the Master Blaster is the version for teens and adults. There are also many splashing opportunities for pint-sized visitors.
Location: 400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 830-625-2351
Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels
6. Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe
Pulse-pounding water rides in North Carolina
Good for: Adventure, Families, Luxury
If you are headed to North Carolina in the summer months, Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe offers thrilling water rides sure to get the blood pumping. With more than 40 rides and attractions across 41 acres, this water park near Greensboro has more than 5 million gallons of watery fun.
Thrill seekers will love the Daredevil Drop, as riders free fall for 76 ft before gliding into a splash landing. Wet ‘n Wild also has a wave pool, a lazy river, and a ride that will take you through a water slide in total darkness. This park also offers private cabanas to escape the sun or have a small party.
Location: 3910 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 336-852-9721
Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
7. Wings and Waves Waterpark
Year-round fun in this indoor water park in Oregon
Good for: Families, Food, Unusual
The theme at Wings and Waves Waterpark in McMinnville, Oregon is elements of wind and water. In fact, there’s a giant Boeing 747 airplane on the roof of the building. And if that’s not crazy enough, you can actually go inside the plane and launch down a slide. This indoor water park is open year-round and keeps the water at a comfy 84°F.
Wings and Waves Waterpark has slides of all sizes, a wave pool, and an area set aside for toddlers and tiny guests just looking to splash. There’s even a slide where you can experience virtual reality during the ride. If you get hungry, you can head over to the Milky Way cafe onsite.
Location: 460 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 503-687-3390
Wings and Waves Waterpark
8. Great Wolf Lodge
Great locations across the country
Good for: Adventure, Families, Food
No matter your destination in the United States, chances are that there’s a Great Wolf Lodge and water park nearby. This chain of resorts and indoor water parks has 23 locations across the country. The resorts all have places to stay, in addition to arcades, spas, and water parks. And having indoor water parks means they are open year-round.
Each location is unique, but all feature a variety of slides and chutes, with separate areas for small children to splash around. All locations of Great Wolf Lodge also have a ton of options for food, including snacks, meals, and desserts.
Open: Hours vary by season
9. Knott’s Soak City
Water adventures in Buena Park
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families
If you are headed to Los Angeles or Anaheim, Knott’s Soak City offers a great place to cool off after being in the summer sun. Knott’s Soak City is located in Buena Park, about an hour south of LA. It’s right next to Knott’s Berry Farm and there are plenty of hotel options nearby, including Knott’s Hotel.
This 15-acre water park is open from May through to early October and has water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and shaded cabanas. After climbing up 41 ft, you can race 5 of your friends or family as you dive head-first down a slide to see who is the fastest.
Location: 8200 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 714-220-5200
Knott's Soak City
10. Splish Splash
Thrilling rides and slides at this New York water park
Good for: Families, Adventure
Near the Hamptons in Long Island, you’ll find the vast Splish Splash water park. This park has more than 20 water slides, rides, and attractions, as well as numerous spots to grab a bite to eat when you need to refuel. Its outdoor nature means it’s open seasonally.
Thrill seekers will enjoy the Alien Invasion ride that includes a rapid descent followed by an out-of-control spin. And if that’s not enough, Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror is an enclosed tunnel where only the sounds of rushing water guide your way.
Location: 2549 Splish Splash Dr, Calverton, NY 11933, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 631-727-3600
Splish Splash
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