There’s no doubt some of your best summer memories involve running through the sprinkler or swimming at the local pool with friends. Summer just isn’t summer without getting a little wet. This year you can kick your summer fun up a notch with a trip to one of these outdoor or indoor water parks in TN. Thankfully, with so many indoor options, the family fun can continue all year long!
Indoor Water Parks in TN
Wild Bear Falls Water Park, Gatlinburg
With a rustic mountain theme, Wild Bear Falls features classic attractions named after iconic Smoky Mountain favorites, like Clingman’s Dome and Cades Cove. This park boasts several water slides, a lazy river, a swimming pool, a kids’ zone, and more!
Although the park is located inside the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, you do not have to be staying at the resort to enjoy the water park. Day and week passes can be purchased separately from hotel rooms.
Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville
This resort boasts an incredible 3 water parks. Lake Wilderness and Salamander Springs are outdoors, while Wild Waterdome is entirely inside. This resort prides itself on having the largest indoor water park around!
Each individual park boasts a large kids’ area, plenty of water slides, and a swimming pool. There is also a lazy river, indoor surf riding attraction, raft rides and more! All kids’ zones have spray and rain features, dump buckets, slides, and wading areas.
You do not have to be staying at the resort to enjoy the park. Day and week passes are available for non-resort guests, although they are subject to availability.
The Resort at Governor’s Crossing, Sevierville
The Resort at Governor’s Crossing features indoor and outdoor water attractions, including a lazy river, indoor and outdoor water slides, 3 kids’ areas, and more!
The water park is reserved for resort guests only. If you’re local, there’s no reason why you can’t treat yourself to a little 1-night stay.
Holiday Inn Vacation Club, Gatlinburg
This popular hotel offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, but the main attraction is its small indoor water park called Splash Hollow. Splash Hollow is geared toward kids and features sprayers, rain features, slides, dump buckets and more!
All water attractions at the vacation club are reserved for hotel guests.
SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland, Nashville
This attraction is everything you would expect from a Gaylord resort. SoundWaves features both indoor and outdoor water attractions, including a large activity pool with an obstacle course and rock climbing for the adventure enthusiast. It also boasts 11 amazing water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, a rapid riding attraction, and so much more!
They haven’t forgotten the kiddos, who have their own zone packed full of spray and rain features, slides, dump buckets, and more! There are also 2 adults only zones for those looking for a little peace and quiet.
This resort also features onsite shopping and dining options and is known for its stunning holiday decor and seasonal events, like ICE.
Day passes are only offered for this park if room allows. This helps to ensure a great family-fun experience for the hotel guests who have booked the SoundWave experience.
KROC Center, Memphis
This local community center has a ton to offer, with a large swimming pool, lazy river, water slide, kid’s area, outdoor splash pad, and more! This is a members-only facility, but members are allowed to bring guests.
Outdoor Water Parks
Dollywood Splash Country, Sevierville
Nestled within the lush scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains, Splash Country is Tennessee’s largest water.
The park decor is classic country with rustic buildings and natural landscaping. Its most popular attractions include the lazy river, wave pool, Raging River Rapids, and River Rush, TN’s only water coaster. There is also a large variety of water slides for the more adventurous crowd.
Of course, the kids haven’t been forgotten. They have their own areas called Little Creek Falls and The Cascades. These areas boast a variety of spray and rain features, slides, dump buckets, and more!
Admission can be purchased by the day or via seasonal membership. You can also get combo passes, which combine entry with Dollywood.
Soaky Mountain Water Park, Sevierville
Soaky Mountain has over 20 attractions including tons of waterslides, a wave pool, a rapids tubing ride, surfing, and more.
In addition to the traditional kids’ splash zones, this water park also offers several mini versions of their larger thrill rides. These are perfect for little swimmers looking for a big adventure!
As an added bonus, a one-day admission ticket is a few bucks cheaper than other local options. Every dollar counts right?
Country Cascades Water Park, Pigeon Forge
Located in one of Pigeon Forge’s newest resorts, this mini outdoor water park features a large swimming pool, two water slides, and a great kids’ area called Splashaway Bay. The bay has a variety of spray features, slides, dump buckets, and more!
Admission is reserved for resort guests and is included at no additional cost. Their affordable room rates make this a great deal for visiting or local families.
Wetlands Water Park, Jonesborough
Small but mighty, Wetlands Water Park features several different water slides, a lazy river, wading pools, a kids’ area, and more! In addition to their regular water park features, this attraction also hosts special events throughout the season, such as outdoor movies and praise nights.
Admission can be purchased by the day or via a seasonal membership. The facility also offers party packages for your next birthday or special occasion.
Kingsport Aquatic Center, Kingsport
Managed by the city of Kingsport, this is a community recreation center on steroids. This mini water park features a large swimming pool, lazy river, 2 water slides, kids’ splash zone, and more! There are also 3 large indoor pools, which are open year-round.
This facility offers a variety of classes year-round, and several different birthday party packages. Admission can be purchased by the day, or via seasonal and year-round memberships.
Nashville Shores, Nashville
With a scenic view of Percy Priest Lake, Nashville Shores features 8 water slides, 3 pools, a kids area, and natural lake swimming. Lake rentals like jet skis and pontoon boats are also available. For families who would like to stay on site, there are campsites and cabin rentals.
Both day and season passes are available for purchase. Camping, cabins, lake rentals, and zip lining cost extra.
Wave Country, Nashville
Though smaller, Wave Country is perfect for an affordable day of water fun. It features a large wave pool and several water slides. Although day passes are offered, you can purchase a seasonal membership for as low as $50 per person.
Jewish Community Center, Memphis
This amazing community center packs a mighty punch! It boasts a lazy river, 2 mega water slides, a large zero-entry swimming pool, a splash pad area, and an island play area featuring sprayers, slides, and water features for kids.
This water park is open to members only, but members are allowed to bring guests.
Fun Waterparks Just Over the State Line
SOAKya Water Park, Rossville, GA
Located just outside of Chattanooga. SOAKya features multiple water slides, a flume ride, a lazy river, a kids’ area, and more! This water park is also attached to Lake Winnie Amusement Park which features roller coasters and other thrill rides.
One ticket gets you full access to both parks. Both day and season passes are available.
Kentucky Splash, Williamsburg, KY
Kentucky Splash is a small but mighty park with a very affordable admission price. Attractions include a lazy river, a wave pool, 5 water slides, and a kids’ water play area.
Erica has lived in East TN for over 10 years. She enjoys exploring this gorgeous region with her husband and 3 lively children. As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, she loves finding fun and affordable activities the entire family will love, especially if they cultivate a love for learning!
Visiting the Pigeon Forge area July 19 thru July 25. Haven’t been there for 60 years. Can’t wait. Bringing my husband, daughter and her husband, their son , my other daughter and a father-in-law. Staying in an Auntie Belham’s cabin in the mountains.
I hope you have a great time!