08-05-2025
How big a splash did Dollywood and other Tennessee water parks make on 10BEST lists?
Dollywood's Splash Country has a few new awards to start its 25th season! The water park, along with others in Tennessee, received 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards recognition in several water park categories.
Splash Country, which opens May 10 for the season, made the cut in three categories. And Soaky Mountain is among the best outdoor water parks in the country.
Tidal Track Wave Pool at SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville also received praise, coming in at No. 9 on the best wave pool list.
Check out the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards honorees and where local attractions placed.
'One of the top water slides at Dollywood's Splash Country is undoubtedly the Raging River Rapids,' notes 10BEST about the 700-foot-long ride. It is Dollywood's, and Tennessee's, highest showing in the 2025 water park awards.
VR Waterslide at Kalahari Resorts - Poconos (Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania)
Tassie's Underwater Twist at Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
Voyage to the Center of the Earth at Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado)
Reef Plunge at Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
Raging River Rapids at Dollywood's Splash Country (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
High Extreme at Raging Waters Los Angeles (San Dimas, California)
Vanish Point at Adventure Island (Tampa, Florida)
Tomcat Racers at Wild Rivers Waterpark (Irvine, California)
Neptune's Fury at Raging Waters Los Angeles (San Dimas, California)
Calypso Coaster at Adventure Island (Tampa, Florida)
Soaky Mountain makes its sole 10BEST appearance at No. 7, even beating out Splash Country, which didn't make the list this year. Soaky Mountain has several adventure thrill rides such as Black Bear Rapids Adventure, Coyote Springs pool and the Edge Dueling Watercoaster.
Splashway Waterpark (Sheridan, Texas)
Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado)
Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana)
Lost Island Waterpark (Waterloo, Iowa)
Island H2O Water Park (Kissimmee, Florida)
Soaky Mountain Waterpark (Sevierville, Tennessee)
Water Country USA (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Adventure Island (Tampa, Florida)
Aquatica San Antonio (San Antonio)
Splash Country's Downbound Float Trip floated through lush landscapes and gentle cascades to claim the eighth spot on the best lazy river list.
Wind-Away River at Discovery Cove Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
Loggerhead Lane at Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
Kailahi River at Lost Island Waterpark (Waterloo, Iowa)
Bahari River at Splashin' Safari Water Park (Santa Claus, Indiana)
Lazy River at Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado)
Hubba Hubba Highway at Water Country USA (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Bubbly Lazy River at DreamWorks Water Park (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Downbound Float Trip at Dollywood's Splash Country (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
Castaway River at Wild Rivers Waterpark (Irvine, California)
Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay at White Water (Branson, Missouri)
Tennessee's first and only water coaster continues to make a splash. Splash Country's RiverRush (No. 10) uses water jets to propel rafts up steep inclines and through twists, turns and tunnels to give riders a roller coaster-like experience.
Eagle Hunt at Boulder Beach at Silverwood (Athol, Idaho)
Wildebeest at Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana)
Mile High Flyer at Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado)
Wailua Kupua at Lost Island Waterpark (Waterloo, Iowa)
Breakers Edge Water Coaster at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
Dream Runner at DreamWorks Water Park (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Aqua Rocket at Raging Waters Los Angeles (San Dimas, California)
Cutback Water Coaster at Water Country USA (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Mammoth at Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana)
RiverRush at Dollywood's Splash Country (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards highlight the best in travel, food and drink, and lifestyle, and are voted on by the public. A panel of industry experts nominate their favorite interests and attractions across a wide range of categories every week, and then 10BEST editors vet these nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented for a public vote.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Dollywood ranked on the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST water park awards
