Noah's Ark Waterpark Wisconsin Dells: What to Know Before You Go
Noah's Ark is the big outdoor waterpark in the Dells, and it bills itself as America's largest waterpark: more than 70 acres and 50-plus attractions on the Wisconsin Dells Parkway. If you're in town in summer with kids who love slides, it's the classic Dells day.
We haven't been to Noah's Ark yet, so this guide is built from the park's own information and recent news, to help you plan. I'll add our own take after we go.
Photo at top: Noah's Ark from the air, by Wikideas1, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick facts
- Where: 1410 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells (technically in Lake Delton)
- Season: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. In 2026 it ran from May 23 to September 7.
- Outdoor only. There's no indoor water area, so check the forecast.
- Tickets: about $60 at the gate in 2026, with frequent online deals. Kids under 36 inches get in free.
- Parking: $25 general, $30 preferred (2026). The park is cashless.
- Owner: Herschend, the company behind Dollywood, which bought the park in 2025.
Tickets and season passes
In 2026, the regular gate price was $59.99, and the park ran an opening sale with 45% off single-day tickets for early-season dates. Season passes have often cost about the same as a single day, so if there's any chance you'll go twice, look at a pass first.
For 2027, season passes are already on sale: Silver ($99.99), Gold ($119.99, includes parking and Neon Nights) and Platinum ($189.99, adds other Herschend parks). Prices can change, so check the official site before you buy.
Kids under 36 inches are free. Kids from 36 to 48 inches need a junior ticket.
The big slides
These are the headliners, with their minimum heights:
- Scorpion's Tail (48"): a 10-story drop capsule into a nearly vertical loop. It got a new launch capsule for 2026.
- Black Anaconda (48"): a quarter-mile water coaster with six hills. It was listed as temporarily unavailable on the park's site in October 2026, so check before you go.
- Point of No Return (48"): a near-vertical drop slide.
- Raja (48"): a giant open tube slide shaped like a king cobra.
- Time Warp (42"): a raft ride through a dark tunnel into a giant bowl.
- Black Thunder (48"): enclosed dark slides.
For mixed-age groups, Congo Bongo (a five-person raft ride) and Chameleon (a raft ride with lights and music) have no posted minimum height.
Wave pools and lazy rivers
There are two wave pools, the Big Kahuna and The Wave, with waves every 10 minutes, and two lazy rivers, Endless River and Adventure River. Kids under 48 inches must wear a life jacket in the wave pools and stay with an adult. Life jackets are free.
In 2025 the park added heated water (about 80°F) to several rides, including the Big Kahuna, Adventure River and Scorpion's Tail, which helps on cooler early-summer days.
For little kids
Noah's Ark has four kiddie water play areas, including Tadpole Bay with its big dump bucket, Paradise Lagoon, Pelican Bay and Toucan Twisters, a set of five small body slides. If you have toddlers, base yourself near one of these and let the older kids roam.
Cabanas
Cabanas range from small ones for two people to large ones for 12, along the lazy rivers, the Big Kahuna and Paradise Lagoon. They include a safe with phone charging and bottled water, and the bigger ones add a mini fridge. Admission isn't included. They're worth a look for a big group or a hot July day, and they need to be booked by the night before.
Food and park rules
- No outside food or drinks. Plan to buy lunch in the park. There's pizza, a grill, a Wisconsin cheese truck and more, and alcohol is sold for adults.
- Swimwear only: no rivets, buckles or metal, and no long pants or denim on the slides. Swim diapers are required for little ones.
- Lockers come in three sizes with keyless codes.
- Re-entry is allowed with a hand stamp.
- Set a meeting spot. The park doesn't page separated guests.
Weather policy
The park stays open in the rain. Water attractions close when there's lightning within 10 miles or audible thunder, and reopen 20 minutes after the last nearby strike. If rides close for a combined 90 minutes for lightning, or after three hours of rain, you can get a return voucher, but there are no refunds. Have an indoor backup in mind on stormy days. See our indoor things to do in Wisconsin Dells.
Tips to beat the crowds
- Go early in the season. June is usually slower than July and August.
- Pick a Tuesday or Wednesday in July and August, which the park says are typically the slowest days.
- Arrive at opening and do the biggest slides first, before the lines build.
- Buy tickets and parking online ahead of time to skip the gate lines.
- Check out Neon Nights. New in 2026, the park stayed open on summer Friday and Saturday nights with lights, music and foam parties (a separate ticket).
Noah's Ark vs. the indoor parks
Noah's Ark is a summer-only, all-day outdoor park, best for kids who are tall enough for the big slides. If you're visiting outside of summer, or want a park where the weather doesn't matter, the indoor parks at Kalahari, Wilderness and Great Wolf are open all year. See our Wisconsin Dells waterparks guide to compare.
Still deciding between waterparks? Try our waterpark picker and decision guide to see which park fits your dates, your kids and the day you want.
FAQ
When does Noah's Ark open?
Memorial Day weekend, and it closes after Labor Day. In 2026 the season ran from May 23 to September 7. 2027 dates haven't been announced yet.
How much are Noah's Ark tickets?
The gate price was about $60 in 2026, with online discounts and season passes that often cost about the same as a single day. Kids under 36 inches are free.
Can you bring food into Noah's Ark?
No. Outside food and drinks aren't allowed.
Is Noah's Ark indoor or outdoor?
Outdoor only, and open in summer. For an indoor waterpark, look at Kalahari, Wilderness or Great Wolf Lodge.
How much is parking at Noah's Ark?
In 2026, general parking was $25 and preferred parking was $30.
