When it comes time to book your next visit to a family resort, consider a trip to one of these great resorts with water parks. At these family resorts, the hotel can be the destination—not just a place to lay your head—thanks to larger-than-life water slides for thrill-seekers; kid-friendly, water-drenched playgrounds for tots; and lazy rivers to float on when you need a bit of relaxation yourself.
Read on for 23 of the best family resorts with water parks. Our picks include both indoor water parks for all-seasons fun and outdoor water parks for when it’s hot outside all throughout the US. We’ve even thrown in a few all-inclusive resorts and Caribbean resorts with water parks as a bonus.
Looking for more family resorts with water parks? Bookmark this list of hotels with outdoor water parks or our picks for the best Orlando hotels with water parks, plus our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks for local options closer to home.
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Best Hotels with Water Water Parks, At A Glance
This guide includes:
- Family resorts with indoor water parks, outdoor water parks, or both!
- Resorts with lazy rivers, water slides, splash pads, surfing simulators, and more
- Hotels with water parks for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens
- Water park resorts in New York, Florida, Texas, and other US states
- All-inclusive resorts and other resorts with water parks in the Caribbean
Best Family Resorts with Water Parks in the Northeast
1. The Kartrite — Monticello, NY
Nestled in the lovely Catskills region, The Kartrite debuted in 2019 and was an instant hit. It’s home to New York’s largest indoor water park at 80,000 square feet. Attractions include a heated indoor-outdoor pool, high-flying slides for thrill seekers, a Flowrider surf simulator, a lazy river, and Kartrite Island—a water play area with knee-deep water. Rooms here are all family-friendly suites, and you can come early and enjoy the water park beginning at 9am on the first day of your stay.
Extend the Fun: Check out our guide to family fun in the Catskills for more things to do during your vacation.
2. Water Park of New England — Danvers, MA
The closest resort with a water park to Boston, the Water Park of New England is connected to the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore, though take note: Not all overnights include water park access, so read the fine print. Standout attractions at the 65,000-square-foot water park include the Parrot’s Perch Play area with kid-friendly slides, dumping buckets, and tons of sprinklers. A zero-entry pool is great for toddlers while four thrilling slides welcome big kids, and everyone can enjoy the lazy river.
3. Camelback Resort — Tannersville, PA
This Poconos family resort offers two awesome water parks. The year-round indoor water park, Aquatopia, is included in your stay and features 13 slides and a multi-level water playground. The outdoor Camelbeach water park is open in warmer months, but take note: Tickets here are an add-on to your stay. Camelbeach offers an eye-popping 37 attractions, and Mummy’s Oasis makes this water park one our favorite toddler-friendly picks. The hotel has nearly 500 suites with separate kid sleeping areas.
4. Rocking Horse Ranch — Highland, NY
This all-inclusive Hudson Valley family resort is another pick with wet-and-wild water park fun both indoors and out. At the Big Splash Indoor Water Park, kept at a balmy 85 degrees, test your luck on the water-walk challenge, hit the water slides, or let kids loose in the multi-level playground. Come summer, its outdoor Boulder Bay and Eldorado Hot Springs landed it on our list of the coolest hotel pools in New York. All rooms accommodate at least four, with bunk beds for little buckaroos in every room.
5. Great Escape Lodge — Queensbury, NY
Part of the Six Flags family, this upstate New York lodge knows what it’s doing when it comes to family-friendly fun. Its White Water Bay water park has two water-drenched playgrounds—Tall Timbers Treehouse, an all-ages thriller with more than 160 features, and Tip-a-Kanu-Beach for the toddler crowd. Big kids love the wild slides and surf simulator. Accommodations range from standard hotel rooms to themed suites with kid-friendly log cabin alcoves, which tuck kids’ bunk beds and TV away.
Extend the Fun: Check out our in-depth review of Great Escape Lodge.
6. Hershey Lodge — Hershey, PA
As if you need another reason to visit the sweetest place on Earth, a stay at Hershey Lodge includes fun at Hershey’s Water Works, a 30,000-square-foot indoor water park. The park is on theme, with a Reese’s Water Walk, Twizzlers Twists water slides, and the Cocoa Cabana snack bar. Little ones love the zero-entry pool and the sandcastle spray zone. Hershey Lodge offers rooms and suites for parties of all sizes, and every day ends with a sweet treat: Hershey’s Kisses turndown service upon request.
Extend the Fun: Read our handy guide to visiting Hersheypark with kids.
7. Massanutten Resort and Water Park — Massanutten, VA
The water park at the all-season Massanutten Resort isn’t automatically included in stays, so look for packages that include it as an add-on when booking. Once you’ve got your wristbands, you’re in for a treat no matter the season with an indoor water park and a seasonal outdoor water park. All-ages fun at the indoor park ranges from the massive water playground to the Blue Ridge Rapids adventure river. Body slides, tube slides, and kiddie slides abound.
Outdoors, race your family to the finish on the 296-foot long mat racer, or test your mettle on thrilling slides with terrifying names like MASS Mayhem, Peak Plunge, and Valley Vortex. Accommodations at this wide-ranging resort include everything from standard hotel rooms to two-bedroom condos.
Extend the Fun: Want to hear all about the plethora of other activities at Massanutten? Read all about our writer’s visit to Massanutten Resort!
Best Family Resorts with Water Parks in Florida and the South
8. Gaylord Palms Resort — Kissimmee, FL
You’re just minutes from Disney when you stay at this family resort, and when you need a break from the theme parks, Cypress Springs Water Park is a perfect diversion. Enjoy attractions like a zero-entry pool and a toddler tree house playground. Float in the Crystal River Rapids with its twists and turns, and catch thrills on the water slides. Whether you choose a room or a suite, be sure to book your stay with water park access to guarantee your ticket to the fun.
Extend the Fun: Can’t pull your kiddos away from the water park? Our list of more fun things to do in Kissimmee with kids might just entice them!
9. The Grove Resort & Water Park — Winter Garden, FL
Guests at this family resort can enjoy exclusive access to the on-site Surfari Water Park, an outdoor park where little ones can while the day away in the Kids’ Activity Pool, complete with mini water slides. A zero-entry pool is also a crowd-pleaser. A pair of water slides greets bigger kids. When you’ve had enough wild fun, link hands for a float down the Lazy River. A suites-only resort, all accommodations include a full kitchen, a washer/dryer, and at least two bedrooms.
Extend the Fun: When you’ve had your fill of the water park, our list of things to do in Winter Garden with kids will keep the fun going.
10. Country Cascades Water Park Resort — Pigeon Forge, TN
One of our favorite family resorts in Pigeon Forge, Country Cascades offers tons of wet-and-wild fun. The indoor water park, Shipwreck Bay, features thrilling slides, a zero-entry splash pad, an activity pool, and more interactive water features. You can also splash and slide in the outdoor water park, Cascade Bay, during the warmer months. Accommodations cater to families of all sizes, and the resort offers loads of other activities like rock climbing, bowling, an arcade, and arts and crafts.
Extend the Fun: You’ll need to stay a while—our guide to visiting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge with kids includes over 70 things to do!
11. Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center — Nashville, TN
SoundWaves is a fitting name for this resort’s water park given its Music City address. The indoor/outdoor water park eschews the typical bright water-park decor in favor of a crisp white palette intertwined with living walls and greenery. Little ones can enjoy the Quarter Note Cove splash pad and pool, while older kids will love the light-and-music infused Rapid Remix and Record Launch rides and the FlowRider surf simulator.
During the summer, enjoy the outdoor wave pool, play on the Rising Stars Stage playground, or dare to tackle the six-story free-fall Bass Drop flume ride. Make sure to book a SoundWaves experience when you’re lining up reservations to guarantee access to the water park.
Extend the Fun: Need more reasons to visit Nashville? Our list of the best things to do in Nashville with kids has over 60 of them!
12. Schlitterbahn Water Park and Resort — New Braunfels, TX
Some attractions at this outdoor water park take advantage of the Comal River, which flows through the property. The park’s German name translates roughly into “slippery road,” and there’s plenty of slip-and-slide fun here. Whether you float in a tube down the river or hit up the big slide tower, all-ages fun awaits. The five-story Han’s Hideout is perfect for preschoolers, while a water coaster lets visitors soar over the park. The resort offers seven lodging options, from cabins to condos to luxury suites with full kitchens.
Extend the Fun: Get all the details about visiting Schlitterbahn Water Park and Resort!
13. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country & Resort — San Antonio, TX
Enjoy nine acres of outdoor water-park fun at the River Bluff Water Experience. Climb to the top of the slide tower and enjoy gorgeous views of Texas Hill Country before your wild ride. Grab a tube for a slow float on the 1,100-foot lazy river, or enjoy a unique ride that feels like a gentle river-tube float on the Pedernales River. Kids can build sandcastles on the shores of Sand Beach Pool. There’s also a zero-entry kids’ pool and an infinity-edge adults-only pool. Inside, enjoy luxury accommodations, with most rooms having balconies or pool-deck access.
Extend the Fun: Check out our list of over 25 fun things to do in San Antonio with kids.
14. Dunes Village Resort — Myrtle Beach, SC
Dunes Village Resort is home to not one, but two indoor water parks that offer a total of 30,000 square feet of fun. Big kids can tackle towering water slides or splash the day away in the teen pool. Little ones will love the Silly Submarines water playground. The year-round water park is heated in the winter, and in summer you can enjoy some outdoor splash time, too. Float along the lazy river or set the kids loose in the sprinkler park. Choose a room, suite, or oceanfront condo when booking your stay.
Extend the Fun: Our list of over 30 fun things to do in Myrtle Beach with kids will help you plan the perfect family beach vacay.
All-Inclusive Family Resorts with Water Parks in the Midwest
15. Lost Rios Indoor Water Park at Chula Vista — Wisconsin Dells, WI
This popular family resort is packed with kid-friendly attractions. Little ones can dip their toes into a kiddie play area with plenty of geysers, spouts, sprinklers, and pint-sized slides. When they’ve aged out of this area, they can hit Mount Montezuma’s Mayan Temple playground and be doused by the 500-gallon tipping bucket. A lazy river, hot tubs, and plenty of water slides round out the fun. Rooms, suites, condos, and even vacation homes make up the accommodation options here.
16. Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park at Boyne Mountain Resort — Boyne Falls, MI
A romp at this water park is not included in your stay, but resort guests can book passes at a discount. Once you’re in the doors, explore 88,000 square feet of fun spread across four separate swimming pools. Six towering water slides beckon thrill seekers, and everyone can get in on the action at Splasherhorn, the water playground, or go for a lazy-river float. Little ones have their own zero-entry pool with a splash zone. Boyne Mountain’s wide-ranging accommodations feature many family-friendly options.
17. Timber Ridge Lodge & Water Park — Lake Geneva, WI
An always balmy 86 degrees, this water park is spread over 50,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space, making it an all-seasons destination. Climb to the top of its 35-foot-tall slide tower to launch yourself on a 300-foot twisting, turning slide. A Tiny Timbers area shields babies from rough play and offers fun like spouts, slides, and a water table. All overnight guests of this family resort get day passes included in their reservation, and accommodations are all suites.
Extend the Fun: We’ve got a great guide to the best things to do with kids in Lake Geneva.
18. Castaway Bay — Sandusky, OH
Located on the Cedar Point resort, a visit to this indoor water park is a perfect complement to the wild rides at the nearby amusement park. Castaway Bay whisks guests away to the tropics with its Caribbean theme and includes plenty of all-ages attractions. If you want thrills, make a beeline for Rocket’s Canopy Coaster or the Air Racer Rally slide. Little ones have several kiddie pools just for them. Over 230 rooms and suites at the hotel offer family-friendly perks like bunk beds.
Best Family Water Park Resorts with Multiple Locations
19. Great Wolf Lodge
With over 20 family resorts in North America, Great Wolf Lodge knows how to please families. The resorts are known for their massive indoor water parks with tons of slides and splash areas, and many locations have seasonal outdoor water parks as well. There’s also more family fun like bowling, arcades, and gem mining. Kids are gifted wolf ears the moment you check in, and it’s a wild, fun-filled adventure from there. Read about our visit to the Poconos location.
20. Kalahari Resorts
Transport yourself to the safari with a visit to one of Kalahari’s four family resorts with water parks, located in Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin (a fifth is set to open in Virginia in late 2026). These sprawling resorts spare no detail in their devotion to their theme. Water park attractions are kept at a balmy 84 degrees year-round, whether you’re visiting in the Northeast or hitting up the Texas location.
Bonus: Best Family Resorts with Water Parks in the Caribbean
21. Baha Bay at Baha Mar — Nassau, Bahamas
Kids go crazy for the Turtle Beach section of this amazing water park, complete with family-friendly slides and splash-pad features. The Stingray Cove water playground is also a hit with kids, and the lazy river provides a perfect respite when you need to relax. Thrill seekers flock to the Dueling Riptide Coaster and the Thunderball, a free-fall slide. There’s also a huge wave pool and more traditional pools around seemingly every corner. A trio of on-site hotels offers a variety of accommodations.
22. Aquaventure at Atlantis Resort — Paradise Island, Bahamas
This sprawling family resort is home to Aquaventure, a 141-acre water park with an eye-popping number of attractions, including 11 pools, 18 water slides, and a mile-long River Rapids ride. Thrills cater to all ages, whether you want to take on The Abyss, a 50-foot, near-vertical drop body slide, or explore the Serpent Slide, which sends riders corkscrewing through a Mayan temple before depositing them in a clear tube through a shark-filled lagoon. If milder fun is more your (or your kids’) speed, hit up Splashers, the kids’ pool and playground. Stay in one of six Atlantis Resort hotels when you’ve worn yourself out.
23. Aqua Nick at Nickelodeon Punta Cana — Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Go under the sea with SpongeBob and friends at this Nickelodeon-themed resort! Its Aqua Nick water park includes a towering slide structure with a giant tipping bucket—time your visit right, and you’ll get sloshed with slime-colored H20! Enjoy the lazy river and poolside character meet-and-greets. Have more water fun at the Lighthouse Pool, a Kids’ Splash Pool, and even suite-side if you opt for a room with a private plunge pool or a swim-up suite. All of the rooms are spacious, family-friendly suites.
FAQs About Family Resorts with Water Parks
Q: What ages are best for these family resorts with water parks?
A: These family water park resorts offer activities for kids of all ages, from splash pads for toddlers to thrilling water slides for teens.
Q: What kinds of attractions do these water park resorts offer?
A: Attractions vary by resort, but include attractions such as water slides, splash pads, lazy rivers, and even surfing simulators.
Q: Are the water parks at these resorts included in the cost of a stay?
A: Water park admission is included at most of these resorts, but some—such as Massanutten in Virginia and Boyne Mountain Resort in Michigan—require guests to book a special water park package or buy water park tickets separately. Check with your hotel before booking!
Q: Are the water parks at these resorts indoors or outdoors?
A: Some of these resorts have indoor water parks. Others—especially those in warm-weather destinations like Florida and the Caribbean—have outdoor water parks. And some, like Great Wolf Lodge, have both!
Q: What should we pack for a water park vacation?
A: Swimsuits, cover-ups, sunscreen, hats, and reusable water bottles are musts. Water shoes are a good idea for young kids to protect little feet, as is a waterproof bag for wet swimsuits.
Q: Do the water parks at these resorts have lifeguards?
A: Many of these resorts have lifeguards on duty during operating hours, but it’s still important to supervise your kids at all times.
Photos courtesy of the water parks
