Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells: Best for Young Kids

Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells is where the whole Great Wolf chain started. It opened in 1997 as Black Wolf Lodge and became the first Great Wolf Lodge in 2000. We stayed overnight a while back, and two things stuck with us: it's a great pick for younger kids, and depending on which room you get, it can be a long walk to the waterpark.

It's been some time since our stay, so I've filled in the current details from the resort.

Quick highlights

• A 76,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, kept at 84 degrees all year
• Easier and less overwhelming for little kids than the biggest Dells resorts
• Waterpark access from 1 pm on arrival day until close on checkout day
• Day passes for non-guests, from $30 in 2026
• Extras like MagiQuest, an arcade and free daily kids' activities

Why it's great for younger kids

Great Wolf is made for families with little ones. There's a lot for kids who aren't tall enough for the big slides:

• Fort Mackenzie, a four-story treehouse water fort with a giant tipping bucket
• Tadpole Pond, a shallow splash area for toddlers
• Crooked Creek, a lazy river with no height minimum
• Big Foot Pass, a lily pad walk across the pool

Older kids and adults have Howlin' Tornado (a six-story funnel raft ride, 48" minimum), Alberta Falls (a tube slide, 42") and Mountain Edge Raceway (a mat racer, 42"). There's also an adults-only hot tub.

If your kids are older and want the biggest, wildest slides, Kalahari, Wilderness or Noah's Ark in summer may be a better fit. See our Wisconsin Dells waterparks guide.

The long walk: ask about your room

Our biggest tip: the lodge is large, and depending on which room you get, the walk to the waterpark can be a long one, especially with little kids in wet swimsuits and towels. When you book, ask where your room is in relation to the waterpark, and ask for something closer if that matters to you.

Beyond the waterpark

• MagiQuest: an interactive wand game that sends kids on quests around the lodge. It's a separate cost and popular with school-age kids.
• Northern Lights Arcade and Build-A-Bear Workshop
• The Great Clock Tower show in the lobby
• Free daily activities like story time, character appearances, crafts and dance parties, for overnight guests and day pass holders

There's also a small outdoor pool area that opens in summer, weather permitting.

Day passes

Non-guests can buy full-day or half-day (4 pm to close) waterpark passes, starting at $30 in 2026. Prices vary by date, quantities are limited, and kids 2 and under are free. Buy online ahead of time, especially for weekends and school breaks.

Check-in and timing

Check-in is at 4 pm, but you can use the waterpark from 1 pm on arrival day. Checkout is at 11 am, and your waterpark passes are good until close on checkout day. That makes even a one-night stay feel like two days of swimming.

Our verdict

If you have toddlers or young kids, Great Wolf is one of the easiest, most kid-friendly waterpark stays in the Dells. Just ask about your room's location when you book so you're not making the long trek every time someone needs a snack.

Practical details

• Address: 1400 Great Wolf Drive, Baraboo, WI 53913 (near the Outlets at the Dells, off I-90/94)
• Phone: (800) 559-9653
• Waterpark: indoor, open year-round, 84°F
• Good for: toddlers and young kids, first waterpark trips, one-night stays