Midwest Road Trips

9 Best Outdoor Water Parks in the U.S.

Schlitterbahn. Best Waterpark in Texas for families
Beat the summer heat in New Braunfels at Schlitterbahn along the shores of the Comal River. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

IS it time to think about summer vacay? The weather is warming and the kids are antsy. This summer, add a water park day.  Find water parks that use natural water, inflatable water parks on lakes and water parks next to top amusement parks. For the Best Outdoor Water Parks, head to these parks across the U.S.  Here are the best outdoor water parks.

9 Best Outdoor Water Parks in the U.S.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark in  New Braunfels in Texas

Six Flags Over Texas Hurricane Harbor in Arlington in Texas

Aquatica at SeaWorld San Antonio

Morgan’s Wonderland Inspiration Island

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Lake Buena Vista in Florida 

Dollywood Splash Country in Pigeon Forge in Tennessee 

Noah’s Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin 

The Land of Natura in Wisconsin Dells

Silver Dollar City’s White Water in  Branson in Missouri

Top Texas Natural Swimming Pools
Master Blaster. Best Water Park in Texas for families.
The Master Blaster offers some big thrills at Blastenhoff. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels Texas

With 45 attractions on over 70 acres, it’s separated into two sections: Schlitterbahn East and Schlitterbahn West. Opened in 1979, one side uses fresh water from the Comal River and features naturalistic chute water rides. 

Master Blaster is the award-winning water ride that blasts riders uphill along a route from a six-story tower. This tower shares space with the Black Knight tube slides and the Wolfpack raft slide. Another popular ride is the wave pool/ lazy river combo: Torrent River. 

Surfenburg is home to the Boogie Bahn, the world’s first surfing ride. Guests will also find the first uphill water coaster, Dragon’s Revenge, in the area. 

Each section features a swim-up bar, a children’s area, and a unique signature attraction.

Located at 400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, Open during the warm-weather season.

Top 9 Reasons Schlitterbahn is the Best Waterpark in Texas

Six Flags Over Texas Hurricane Harbor in Arlington Texas 

Across the interstate from the amusement park, Hurricane Harbor offers 24 water rides from mild to wild. Top wild rides include the Tornado, Tsunami Surge and the Typhoon Twister at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.

For little kids, there is Hook’s Lagoon Treehouse with slides. The one-million-gallon wave pool is another top attraction. 

Located at 1800 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington. Open during the warm-weather season.

Aquatica at SeaWorld San Antonio 

The waterpark of SeaWorld, Aquatica, opened in 2012. This waterpark features wildlife, like the Stingray Falls ride, where raft riders go through a grotto with stingrays. 

Aquatica features 15 water rides, including water slides. There’s a springray encounter, and the TikiTapu Splash is just for kids. The Big Surf Shores is a 400,000-gallon wave pool. 

Located at 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio. Open during the warm-weather season.

Morgan’s Wonderland Inspiration Island

San Antonio boasts an all-abilities amusement park, Morgan’s Wonderland. It also features a seasonal water park, Inspiration Island.

Inspiration Island features five splashpad-type water attractions accessible to all. The park offers three types of waterproof wheelchairs free of charge in several sizes. Morgan’s Wonderland also offers complimentary waterproof dry bags for ventilators and O2 water-collar covers.

Located at 5223 David Edwards, San Antonio. The water park is open during the warm-weather season.

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surf the surf pool at Typhoon Lagoon with families
Typhoon Lagoon’s Surf Pool is a must and lots of fun. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Lake Buena Vista Florida 

Relive all your Gilligan Island fantasies at Typhoon Lagoon in Walt Disney World. See Miss Tilley, the shipwrecked shrimp boat, on top of Mount Mayday. Float through a rainforest on the half-mile lazy river. This is one of the Best Outdoor Water Parks.

North America’s largest wave pool can roll out 6-foot-tall waves that are big enough to surf. This signature attraction in the Walt Disney World water park offers a schedule for those who don’t want to miss the big one. 

Little kids gather in the Ketchakiddee Creek, a mini water park with 10 kid-sized attractions. 

Located at 1145 East Buena Vista Blvd., Lake Buena Vista. Open during the warm-weather season.

Is Typhoon Lagoon Worth It? 
The Island of Pigeon Forge
Find the Smoky Wheel at The Island. Credit: The Island of Pigeon Forge

Dollywood Splash Country in Pigeon Forge Tennessee 

Splash Country Water Park is built into the natural terrain of a 25-acre mountainous area adjacent to the main Dollywood theme park. This is Dolly Parton’s theme park and major attraction in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area of Tennessee.

Nestled among trees near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, guests can ride on the Big Bear Plunge, Fire Tower Falls, Raging River Rapids, The Butterfly and more. For kids, the Bear Mountain Fire Tower is the place to be. 

Located at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge. Open during the warm-weather season.

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Mt Olympus Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells
One of the many waterparks in the Wisconsin Dells. credit: Catherine Parker

Noah’s Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin 

Noah’s Ark Waterpark is the largest outdoor waterpark in the U.S. (and third-largest in the world). With 70 acres, Noah’s Ark has the most waterslides in Wisconsin Dells, the waterpark capital of the world.

Originally opened in 1979, it features 80 activities, from near-vertical slides, two wave pools and more.

Located at 1410 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells. Open during the warm-weather season.

The Land of Natura in Wisconsin Dells

This 150-acre Natural Theme Park and Waterpark includes a man-made lake, Lake Wisconsin Dells. On Lake Wisconsin Dells, visitors will find Waterworld, the largest inflatable water park in the U.S. 

There’s even a smaller Waterworld, just for kids 5 and younger. 

Also a top attraction at the Land o Natura, visitors can enjoy the Mt. Natura Water Slides. Each of the four 60-foot waterslides dumps into Lake Wisconsin Dells. 

For a quieter experience, the Land of Natura offers a 2,000-foot private section of the Wisconsin River. Hikers can see the Wisconsin Dells from the Sugar Bowl Lookout. 

In addition to the water park, the Land of Natura offers a Mystic Forest Treetop Walkway. It’s a 1,100-foot-long suspended walkway where visitors use bridges and platforms all 10 to 25 feet above the ground. 

Located at 250 Natura Dr, Wisconsin Dells. Open during the warm-weather season.

15 of the Top Things to Do in the Wisconsin Dells for Family Fun
Branson Belle Showboat credit: Explore Branson

Silver Dollar City’s White Water in  Branson Missouri

With 13 acres and 2 million gallons of water, it’s one of the top waterparks in the U.S. Visitors can enjoy a 500,000-gallon wave pool or the Polynesian-themed Aloha River lazy river ride. 

Thrill seekers will lose their voice when they take a 70-degree, 40-foot plunge at 26 feet per second on KaPau Plummet. Then there’s are Kalani Towers, side-by-side free-fall drop slides. 

Coconut Grove is the place for kids, with slides and wading pools. Splashaway Cay is another top family area. 

Located at 3505 W. 76 County Rd., Branson. Open during the warm-weather season.

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Catherine Parker has a passion for travel and seen all 50 U.S. States. As a former flight attendant with one of the largest airlines, there isn't a North American airport that she hasn't landed in at least once. Since clipping her professional wings after 9/11, she combines her love of the open road with visiting architectural and cultural icons. She is based out of Central Texas dividing her time between writing and restoring a pair of 100-year-old houses. She shares her life with her three kids and her husband.

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