The 13 best outdoor water parks in the US for summer thrills
From the Orlando water parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resorts to the steepest, tallest, and fastest waterslides and coasters in the Midwest, here are the most thrilling outdoor water parks across the country.
1. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
New Braunfels, Texas
Recognized as the best water park in the world for more than two decades by Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is located about 30 miles from San Antonio on the banks of the Comal River, not far from some of the top family resorts in Texas. This outdoor water park embraces its natural landscaping with 100-year-old oak, cedar, and cypress trees throughout its 70 acres.
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels has a staggering variety of river rides, waterslides, and experiences ranging from mild to wild for more than 50 attractions. Each section of the park contains a swim-up bar, children's area, and unique signature attraction. The Schatze's Storybrook Park kids' area features the world's first water coaster for kids, and signature attraction The Falls consistently ranks among the best water park rides in the country.
Where to stay: Schlitterbahn's Treehaus Luxury Suites offer full kitchens and views of the water park, while its Riverbend Cabins can sleep up to 10 and provide easy access to all the fun.
2. Universal's Volcano Bay
Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida
Volcano Bay is such an impressive outdoor water park that Universal Orlando Resort gives it equal billing to its three other Orlando theme parks (Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the new Epic Universe). At the heart of this water park is the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, which whisks you through a 200-foot-tall volcano that gushes water by day and fiery "lava" at night. Guests also find plenty of drop slides, raft rides, water play areas, and a rapid roaring river that's anything but lazy.
Where to stay: Book at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and you can walk right over to Volcano Bay and enjoy early admission to the water park.
3. Knott's Soak City
Buena Park, California
Right next door to the popular Knott's Berry Farm theme park, but separately ticketed, Knott's Soak City is the way to stay cool in Southern California. Catch a ride down any of 23 different slides or take a relaxing float on one of the longest lazy rivers in the country. With high-speed thrill slides like the open-air raft ride The Wedge, Soak City is one of the best outdoor water parks in the U.S. for older kids and teens, but it also has a dedicated place for younger kids as well.
Where to stay: Knott's Hotel recently finished a multimillion-dollar renovation that includes redesigned guest rooms and new food and beverage outlets, but its convenient location near both parks didn't change.
MAKE MEMORIES: 101 fresh new family vacation ideas for every age and budget
4. Disney's Blizzard Beach
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
It should come as no surprise that the Most Magical Place on Earth has two of the best water parks in the U.S., in addition to its four Orlando theme parks. One of these Disney water parks is Blizzard Beach, an outdoor water park with the clever and creative theme of a melting ski resort (and, naturally, some Frozen-related theming too).
Centered around the spectacular Mt. Gushmore, the water park includes slalom courses, toboggan runs, and the 120-foot-high Summit Plummet that plunges riders at more than 50 miles per hour from the top of a "ski jump" tower. Blizzard Beach recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and while it's often been open on an alternating basis with Disney's Typhoon Lagoon (see below) over the past several years, both parks will be open at the same time in summer 2025.
Where to stay: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is just down the road from Blizzard Beach and has a fun pool area and waterslide of its own.
5. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
The second of Disney's Orlando water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, is home to the Crush 'n' Gusher, the first-ever water coaster in the Orlando area. Families will also like the Miss Adventure Falls whitewater raft ride, North America's largest wave pool, and the Castaway Creek lazy river. On select nights during some seasons, Typhoon Lagoon hosts the Disney H2O Glow After Hours event, with a DJ dance party, Disney character meet and greets, complimentary snacks, and lower wait times for rides.
Where to stay: Keep the tropical vibe going by booking a room at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort or stay at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek for a super convenient location and lots of fun amenities.
SAVE MONEY: Kids stay free at these 10 all-inclusive family resorts
6. Holiday World's Splashin' Safari
Santa Claus, Indiana
Holiday World's Splashin' Safari outdoor water park in Santa Claus, Indiana, consistently pushes the envelope with innovative attractions. The Cheetah Chase water coaster is the water park's newest ride and also the world's first launched water coaster. It joins Splashin' Safari's other long-standing and much-lauded water coasters, Wildebeest and Mammoth (the world's longest water coaster).
Attractions for younger guests include the Kima Bay monkey-themed water play area and Safari Sam's SplashLand that's perfect for vacations with toddlers. Holiday World and Splashin' Safari have a pay-one-price admission, so you can visit both parks with one ticket. You'll also get free parking, access to free sunscreen, and free unlimited soft drinks during your visit!
Where to stay: Enjoy the lakeside setting at Santa's Cottages, where amenities and activities include playgrounds, catch-and-release fishing, and the Reindeer Express Train.
7. Aquatica Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Aquatica Orlando is the first outdoor water park to combine live animals and traditional water park rides and attractions. The Reef Plunge body slide, for example, shoots guests past dolphins, leopard sharks, and other cold-water fish on the way to the splashdown. The new Tassie's Underwater Twist is an immersive journey under the sea complete with its own musical score.
Aquatica is also home to Ihu's Breakaway Falls, one of Orlando's tallest, steepest multi-drop towers; Riptide Race, the world's tallest dueling racer; and 84,000 square feet of white-sand beaches. And it's the first outdoor water park to be designated as a Certified Autism Center.
Where to stay: Aquatica has several official hotel partners like Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, which has a small water park ideal for younger kids and is located close to SeaWorld Orlando and the new Universal Epic Universe.
8. Noah's Ark
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells launched the indoor water park concept in the late 1980s, and now this water park mecca is one of the most popular family vacation spots in the U.S. year-round. But there's lots of fun to be had outside too. Boasting more than 50 waterslides and dozens of attractions, Noah's Ark is the largest outdoor water park in the U.S. Notable rides include the Black Anaconda water coaster that reaches speeds of 30 miles per hour; Scorpion's Tail, America's first looping, near vertical waterslide; and the Surfing Safari surf simulator.
Where to stay: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2025, Shamrock Motel Resort & Suites guests receive free wristbands to Noah's Ark for every day of their stay, including the day of checkout.
9. Dollywood's Splash Country
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Adjacent to the Dollywood theme park, Dollywood's Splash Country is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. The 35-acre water park open from mid-May to mid-September is home to nearly 40 rides and attractions, including RiverRush, Tennessee's first water coaster; Fire Tower Falls, the park's tallest and fastest twin slides; the 1,500-foot Downbound Float Trip lazy river; and a 25,000-square-foot wave pool. Younger kids will love the Bear Mountain Fire Tower water play structure and new Little Creek Falls splash pad.
Where to stay: You won't go wrong by staying at either of the Dollywood Resorts, Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort and Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa.
NO HIDDEN FEES: 15 best all-inclusive resorts for families of 5+
10. Water World
Federal Heights, Colorado
Ten miles north of Denver is Water World, a community park that rivals the largest private outdoor water parks in the country. Water World features more than 50 attractions (some are gentle, others thrill rides), including the Voyage to the Center of the Earth raft ride with animatronic dinosaurs and Mile High Flyer, the first hydromagnetic water coaster in the Rockies.
Other attractions include the Thunder Bay wave pool, Foothill Falls tandem racer, the Roaring Forks Dueling Water Coaster, and Centennial Basin tube bowl. And the park's Alpine Springs Express Gondola evokes Colorado's best family ski resorts by taking guests high above the park.
Where to stay: The new Origin Westminster, a Wyndham Hotel offers modern guest rooms and suites and amenities like a complimentary bike rental program.
11. Water Country USA
Williamsburg, Virginia
Virginia's largest family outdoor water park, Water Country USA features state-of-the-art rides and attractions with a retro surf theme. Fully enclosed slide Aquazoid Amped features special effects, sudden splashes, and pulse-pounding music, while Riptide Race is a 520-foot, side-by-side, two-person racing experience through twist and tunnels. Another popular attraction is Cutback Water Coaster, which combines a water jet propulsion system with a saucer feature to create a steep, smooth ride more than 800 feet long.
(Note: Water Country USA is not affiliated with the smaller but still very popular Water Country in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which is New England's largest outdoor water park.)
Where to stay: With amenities like the seasonal River Pool and multiple golf courses, Kingsmill Resort is a longtime Williamsburg favorite and one of our best U.S. family resorts and hotels.
12. Cowabunga Bay
Henderson, Nevada
Head to Cowabunga Bay outdoor water park, not far from surprisingly kid-friendly Las Vegas, to take on the world's largest manmade parabolic wave on a giant slide called Wild Surf. Or for something tamer, bob in the Surf-a-Rama wave pool surrounded by a 1950s style drive-in movie theater. Other attractions at Cowabunga Bay include a fully enclosed pitch-black waterslide called Point Panic and the 300-foot-long Rock-A-Hoola bowl slide.
Where to stay: There are a number of reliable chain options near the water park, including Best Western Plus Henderson Hotel, Comfort Inn & Suites Henderson - Las Vegas, and Hampton Inn & Suites Las Vegas-Henderson.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY: 11 cheap family vacations that are super fun
13. Cedar Point Shores Waterpark
Sandusky, Ohio
The water park associated with Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park, Cedar Point Shores offers attractions like the six-lane mat slide Riptide Raceway, the Cedar Creek lazy river, and the Breakwater Bay wave pool. Kids can play with Lemmy, the mythical Lake Erie Monster, and thrill-seekers can brave Point Plummet, a six-story, four-capsule waterslide.
Where to stay: Set along Lake Erie, Hotel Breakers offers dedicated entrances to both parks and special perks for guests. Or rent one of the cottages or cabins at Lighthouse Point for a different kind of stay with similar park benefits.
Slide into summer at America's most exciting outdoor water parks originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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Additional reporting by Beth Luberecki. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
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Nothing says summer vacation like cooling off at one of the best outdoor water parks in the U.S. Whether you're lazing around the pool, dropping down high-speed slides, or bobbing on the waves, the best water parks in the U.S. are loaded with enough splash pads, dump buckets, and waterslides to thrill everyone in the family. From the Orlando water parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resorts to the steepest, tallest, and fastest waterslides and coasters in the Midwest, here are the most thrilling outdoor water parks across the country. 1. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels New Braunfels, Texas Recognized as the best water park in the world for more than two decades by Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is located about 30 miles from San Antonio on the banks of the Comal River, not far from some of the top family resorts in Texas. 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Families will also like the Miss Adventure Falls whitewater raft ride, North America's largest wave pool, and the Castaway Creek lazy river. On select nights during some seasons, Typhoon Lagoon hosts the Disney H2O Glow After Hours event, with a DJ dance party, Disney character meet and greets, complimentary snacks, and lower wait times for rides. Where to stay: Keep the tropical vibe going by booking a room at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort or stay at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek for a super convenient location and lots of fun amenities. SAVE MONEY: Kids stay free at these 10 all-inclusive family resorts 6. Holiday World's Splashin' Safari Santa Claus, Indiana Holiday World's Splashin' Safari outdoor water park in Santa Claus, Indiana, consistently pushes the envelope with innovative attractions. The Cheetah Chase water coaster is the water park's newest ride and also the world's first launched water coaster. It joins Splashin' Safari's other long-standing and much-lauded water coasters, Wildebeest and Mammoth (the world's longest water coaster). Attractions for younger guests include the Kima Bay monkey-themed water play area and Safari Sam's SplashLand that's perfect for vacations with toddlers. Holiday World and Splashin' Safari have a pay-one-price admission, so you can visit both parks with one ticket. You'll also get free parking, access to free sunscreen, and free unlimited soft drinks during your visit! Where to stay: Enjoy the lakeside setting at Santa's Cottages, where amenities and activities include playgrounds, catch-and-release fishing, and the Reindeer Express Train. 7. Aquatica Orlando Orlando, Florida Aquatica Orlando is the first outdoor water park to combine live animals and traditional water park rides and attractions. The Reef Plunge body slide, for example, shoots guests past dolphins, leopard sharks, and other cold-water fish on the way to the splashdown. The new Tassie's Underwater Twist is an immersive journey under the sea complete with its own musical score. Aquatica is also home to Ihu's Breakaway Falls, one of Orlando's tallest, steepest multi-drop towers; Riptide Race, the world's tallest dueling racer; and 84,000 square feet of white-sand beaches. And it's the first outdoor water park to be designated as a Certified Autism Center. Where to stay: Aquatica has several official hotel partners like Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, which has a small water park ideal for younger kids and is located close to SeaWorld Orlando and the new Universal Epic Universe. 8. Noah's Ark Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Wisconsin Dells launched the indoor water park concept in the late 1980s, and now this water park mecca is one of the most popular family vacation spots in the U.S. year-round. But there's lots of fun to be had outside too. Boasting more than 50 waterslides and dozens of attractions, Noah's Ark is the largest outdoor water park in the U.S. Notable rides include the Black Anaconda water coaster that reaches speeds of 30 miles per hour; Scorpion's Tail, America's first looping, near vertical waterslide; and the Surfing Safari surf simulator. Where to stay: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2025, Shamrock Motel Resort & Suites guests receive free wristbands to Noah's Ark for every day of their stay, including the day of checkout. 9. Dollywood's Splash Country Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Adjacent to the Dollywood theme park, Dollywood's Splash Country is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. The 35-acre water park open from mid-May to mid-September is home to nearly 40 rides and attractions, including RiverRush, Tennessee's first water coaster; Fire Tower Falls, the park's tallest and fastest twin slides; the 1,500-foot Downbound Float Trip lazy river; and a 25,000-square-foot wave pool. Younger kids will love the Bear Mountain Fire Tower water play structure and new Little Creek Falls splash pad. Where to stay: You won't go wrong by staying at either of the Dollywood Resorts, Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort and Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa. NO HIDDEN FEES: 15 best all-inclusive resorts for families of 5+ 10. Water World Federal Heights, Colorado Ten miles north of Denver is Water World, a community park that rivals the largest private outdoor water parks in the country. Water World features more than 50 attractions (some are gentle, others thrill rides), including the Voyage to the Center of the Earth raft ride with animatronic dinosaurs and Mile High Flyer, the first hydromagnetic water coaster in the Rockies. Other attractions include the Thunder Bay wave pool, Foothill Falls tandem racer, the Roaring Forks Dueling Water Coaster, and Centennial Basin tube bowl. And the park's Alpine Springs Express Gondola evokes Colorado's best family ski resorts by taking guests high above the park. Where to stay: The new Origin Westminster, a Wyndham Hotel offers modern guest rooms and suites and amenities like a complimentary bike rental program. 11. Water Country USA Williamsburg, Virginia Virginia's largest family outdoor water park, Water Country USA features state-of-the-art rides and attractions with a retro surf theme. Fully enclosed slide Aquazoid Amped features special effects, sudden splashes, and pulse-pounding music, while Riptide Race is a 520-foot, side-by-side, two-person racing experience through twist and tunnels. Another popular attraction is Cutback Water Coaster, which combines a water jet propulsion system with a saucer feature to create a steep, smooth ride more than 800 feet long. (Note: Water Country USA is not affiliated with the smaller but still very popular Water Country in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which is New England's largest outdoor water park.) Where to stay: With amenities like the seasonal River Pool and multiple golf courses, Kingsmill Resort is a longtime Williamsburg favorite and one of our best U.S. family resorts and hotels. 12. Cowabunga Bay Henderson, Nevada Head to Cowabunga Bay outdoor water park, not far from surprisingly kid-friendly Las Vegas, to take on the world's largest manmade parabolic wave on a giant slide called Wild Surf. Or for something tamer, bob in the Surf-a-Rama wave pool surrounded by a 1950s style drive-in movie theater. Other attractions at Cowabunga Bay include a fully enclosed pitch-black waterslide called Point Panic and the 300-foot-long Rock-A-Hoola bowl slide. Where to stay: There are a number of reliable chain options near the water park, including Best Western Plus Henderson Hotel, Comfort Inn & Suites Henderson - Las Vegas, and Hampton Inn & Suites Las Vegas-Henderson. BUDGET-FRIENDLY: 11 cheap family vacations that are super fun 13. Cedar Point Shores Waterpark Sandusky, Ohio The water park associated with Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park, Cedar Point Shores offers attractions like the six-lane mat slide Riptide Raceway, the Cedar Creek lazy river, and the Breakwater Bay wave pool. Kids can play with Lemmy, the mythical Lake Erie Monster, and thrill-seekers can brave Point Plummet, a six-story, four-capsule waterslide. Where to stay: Set along Lake Erie, Hotel Breakers offers dedicated entrances to both parks and special perks for guests. Or rent one of the cottages or cabins at Lighthouse Point for a different kind of stay with similar park benefits. Slide into summer at America's most exciting outdoor water parks originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: Additional reporting by Beth Luberecki. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
