Incredible Indoor Waterparks of the Midwest

Feb 18, 2025

Do January and February feel like they’re 25 years long? Is the winter weather taking its toll on your summer-loving self? Well, we’re here to rescue you from the doldrums with our amazing blog that will bring Summer Vibes even if it’s snowing outside. Today’s post is all about incredible indoor water parks and resorts to experience plenty of fun no matter what weather is happening outdoors. From waterslides to wave pools to surfing simulators and lazy rivers, we have no doubt that you’re going to find something to suit your tastes. So what are you waiting for? Time to hop into your new car from Classic and hit the road to waves and splash your way through the snowy season.

Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells is Wisconsin’s biggest waterpark resort, with 4 outdoor and 4 indoor water parks to choose from! Your family will go positively gaga over the Wild West themed park, the impressive wave pool,a tubing slide, and so much more. The resort also has its own miniature golf course, bumper boats, indoor go kart racing, laser tag, and even zip lining! As for food and lodging, you’ll have a wide selection of restaurants and cafes to choose from, and multiple accommodations to select from comfortable hotel rooms, private condos, villas, and even cozy cabins at different price points and amenity preferences.

Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark at Grand Geneva is an all-season, all-suite family-friendly resort featuring a massive 50,000 square foot indoor waterpark. Visitors of all ages can also enjoy the WELL Spa and Salon, including fantastic Mommy and Me packages or a Junior Spa option. Looking to try something different? Head on over to Dan Patch Stables nearby for a bit of equine excitement, or a few rounds of games in the Crazy Coyote Arcade, Timber Ridge Bowling Alley, or The Bruce: Mini Golf Course. Plus, there’s a brand new Fireside Terrace allowing for some stargazing and hot chocolate by a cozy fire, weather permitting.

Grand Bear Resort in Utica is nestled right next door to the stunning Starved Rock State Park, one of our favorite destinations for exploration and adventure! Keeping true to the area’s natural wonder and appeal, the resort has styled its 24,000 square foot indoor water park with plenty of natural looking features such as evergreens, rock formations, and waterfalls. In addition, you’ll find 4 delightful restaurants to dine at along with a banquet hall and party room if you’d like to celebrate or host a family reunion. And when you’re feeling a bit waterlogged, you can unwind in the arcade for some good ol’ fashioned fun, or swing by the mini-golf course and challenge your loved ones to a round or two.

Grand Harbor Resort and Water Park in Dubuque is open year-round and houses a 25,000 square foot indoor waterpark with rides, slides, and fun for all ages. Enjoy some tubing rides, rope ladders, a lazy river, activity pool, 2 giant hot tub whirlpools, and multiple waterslides. The resort offers complimentary breakfasts from 6:30AM to 9/10AM (check schedule for timings/days), as well as the onsite eatery Tony Roma’s Restaurant and Lounge. Challenge your family and friends to a few rounds of Skee-Ball and more at the Arcade, or perhaps a rousing round of Laser Maze will be more your speed. Plus, there’s an on site fitness center for the athletes in your midst, which you can enjoy after dropping off the kiddos at the Kidz Club activity center.

Big Splash Water-Park in French Lick is jampacked with 40,000 square feet of excitement, including a very unique retractable roof for some indoor-outdoor fun (weather permitting). This pirate themed park offers the Jolly Roger water slide, Pirate’s Plunder water slide, and the Lost Treasure Lagoon where you can enjoy some splash pad fun and basketball. Plus, there’s a wonderful lazy river feature called Lost River at Big Splash Adventure! As you can see, there’s no shortage of excitement at southern Indiana’s biggest and best indoor water park. Perfect for the kids and the kids at heart!

Great Wolf Lodge in Mason offers an outstanding array of activities including a top tier indoor water park featuring 8 different pools and 13 impressive water slides! Looking to take a break from the waterpark? You’ll love the MagiQuest Legacy and ShadowQuest interactive fantasy role play games, Northern Lights Arcade, Ten Paw Bowling Alley, Howl at the Moon Miniature Golf Glow Course, Oliver’s Mining Sluice, and a custom Build-a-Bear workshop. There’s also 8 different eateries to choose from including a pizza place, wood fire grill, and ice cream parlor!

Jolly Mon Indoor Water Park in Osage Beach is part of the Margaritaville Lake Resort, nestled in the stunning Lake of the Ozarks region. This year-round indoor water park features 600 feet of water slides, an over-sized whirlpool, a lazy river, and an activity pool. Families will also enjoy the Fin City Bowling Alley and Fin City Arcade, both of which offer extended hours of fun after you dry out from the water park. For dining, visitors rave about the Landswhark Bar & Grill’s signature Landshark Burgers and Taco Nachos, but that’s not all there is to choose from. You can also check out the JB’s Boathouse Grill for a cozy and hearty breakfast buffet, the License to Chill Bar & Grill, and the upscale dining option Windrose Marker 26 for some Lakeside Dining.

Avalanche Bay Water Park in Boyne Falls is the last entry on our list, but so very far from the least– clocking in at an impressive 88,000 square feet of fun, this is Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark that’s always a perfect 84 degrees and open year round. Choose from the 4-lane Downhill Mat Racer Slide, The Big Couloir slide with a 360 degree Super LOOP, Vertigo Cannonball slide with a giant swirl feature, The Super-G Slide bringing you indoors and out and in again, and the Pink & Purple slides which are family-friendly for guests of all ages. Then there’s the Splasherhorn Play Structure adventure park with 800-gallon water avalanche, Rip Zone Surf Simulator, Haute Route Water Crossing Challenge, Lazy River for lounging, the Glacier Hot Springs tubs, and two sizes of pools to choose from. In the winter, the resort also offers MoonBike Tours on an e-bike snow vehicle, Zipline Adventures around Boyne Mountain, Winter Tubing Parks with 700 feet of lane, Sno-Go Biking, Fat Tire Snow Biking, Cross Country Skiing, and much, much more.