Hidden Dells

Dells Picks

Wisconsin Dells waterparks

The waterparks in the Waterpark Capital of the World, big and small. The biggest question is usually whether you can get in without staying there, so that's front and center.

Hand-picked, not paid. We only list places that rate well with visitors, with a few well-known exceptions. We've been means we've been ourselves.

Getting around: the Dells in 9 areas, with drive times from our homes.
  • Downtown (about 10 minutes): Broadway, the riverfront and the boat docks
  • North of downtown (5 to 15 minutes): River Road, the Upper Dells and the countryside near our homes
  • Hwy 13 and north Parkway (about 12 minutes): Hwy 13 by I-90/94 and the top of the Parkway
  • The Parkway (15 to 20 minutes): The Hwy 12 strip: Noah's Ark, Mt. Olympus, the Ducks
  • Lake Delton (15 to 20 minutes): The village, the lake, Wilderness and County A
  • Kalahari and Great Wolf (20 to 25 minutes): The south end of the Parkway by I-90/94 exit 92 and the outlets
  • Mirror Lake and Ho-Chunk (20 to 25 minutes): Mirror Lake State Park, Ishnala and the casino
  • Baraboo and Devil's Lake (30 to 40 minutes): Devil's Lake, Circus World and downtown Baraboo
  • Further out (30 minutes or more): Worth the drive: Mauston, Reedsburg, Portage and beyond

Tap the to save places and share your list. Hours change by season, so check before you go. Something out of date? Let me know.

Area:

Showing 9 of 9

Outdoor waterparks (2)

The floating waterpark at Land of Natura
We've been

Land of Natura

Lake Delton · $$ · Summer, about Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day

A floating inflatable waterpark and swim beach on a naturally filtered, chlorine-free lake, with slides, trails and a treetop walk.

Day passes:
Yes. Day tickets are sold online. Guests at partner resorts (Aloha Beach, Natura Treescape, The VUE) get tickets with their stay.
Size:
150-acre property
Highlights:
Waterworld inflatable course on the lake, Mini Waterworld for kids under 5, Mount Natura Slides into the lake, Lady Bug Splash Pad (new in 2026), Mystic Forest Treetop Walkway
Ages:
Waterworld for ages 5 and up; Mini Waterworld for under 5
Best for:
Confident swimmers and kids who like climbing courses
Know before you go:
Bring your own towels, and bring a card because cash isn't accepted. Cabanas, umbrellas, kayaks and paddleboards cost extra.
  • Outdoor
  • Day passes
  • Toddler area
  • Cabanas
  • Food on site
Researched

Noah's Ark Waterpark

The Parkway · $$ · Summer only, about Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day

The area's biggest outdoor waterpark, with dozens of slides, two wave pools and two lazy rivers on more than 70 acres.

Day passes:
Yes. Daily admission is sold online and at the gate. Children under 36 inches get in free, and a Jr. ticket covers 36 to 48 inches. Parking costs extra.
Size:
More than 70 acres
Highlights:
Scorpion's Tail looping body slide, Time Warp bowl ride, Black Anaconda water coaster, Two wave pools and two lazy rivers, Tadpole Bay kids' play area
Ages:
All ages; most big thrill slides require about 48 inches
Best for:
Full summer days with mixed-age groups
Know before you go:
Outside food and drinks aren't allowed and towels aren't provided. Life jackets are free, and kids under 48 inches must wear one in the wave pools.
  • Outdoor
  • Day passes
  • Toddler area
  • Thrill slides
  • Lazy river
  • Wave pool
  • Cabanas
  • Food on site

Indoor and outdoor waterpark resorts (4)

Researched

Chula Vista Resort

North of downtown · Year-round (indoor); outdoor park in summer

A large resort on the river north of downtown, with a year-round indoor waterpark, a summer outdoor park and 26 slides between them.

Day passes:
Guests only. Waterpark access comes with a stay. There are no day passes for non-guests.
Size:
More than 80,000 sq ft indoor; about 200,000 sq ft indoor and outdoor combined
Highlights:
Lost Rios indoor waterpark, Flyan Mayan water coaster, Matador Mat Racers and Rainbow Rapids, Mount Montezuma's Mayan Temple with a tipping bucket, Outdoor park with a wave pool and splash pad
Ages:
All ages
Best for:
Resort stays that combine a waterpark, spa and golf
  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Guests only
  • Thrill slides
  • Lazy river
  • Wave pool
  • Arcade
Kalahari's indoor wave pool
We've been

Kalahari Resort

Kalahari and Great Wolf · $$$ · Year-round (indoor and Aquadome). Outdoor park runs about Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting.

Billed as the Midwest's largest indoor waterpark, with an outdoor summer park, an indoor theme park and a new Aquadome that opened in 2026.

Day passes:
Yes. A limited number of day passes are sold online for each date. Prices vary by day, and weekends and holidays sell out first.
Size:
125,000 sq ft indoor plus the 75,000 sq ft Aquadome (opened October 2026)
Highlights:
Aquadome with a retractable roof (Zambezi Rapids, Viper Venom water coaster, Nile River Racers), Master Blaster uphill water coaster, FlowRider surf simulator, Screaming Hyena trapdoor slide, Adventure Bay kids' area
Ages:
All ages; FlowRider needs about 42 inches to bodyboard
Best for:
Year-round thrill rides under one roof
Know before you go:
Outside food, drinks and coolers aren't allowed in the waterparks, with exceptions for baby food and allergy needs. Towels aren't provided for day-pass guests.
Hours
  • Mon to Sun: 10 am to 9 pm

Hours change by season. Check before you go.

  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Day passes
  • Toddler area
  • Thrill slides
  • Lazy river
  • Wave pool
  • Surf simulator
  • Swim-up bar (21+)
  • Cabanas
  • Food on site
  • Theme park rides too
The Colosseum at Mt. Olympus
Researched

Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort

The Parkway · $$ · Year-round (indoor). Outdoor water park about mid-May to mid-September.

A Greek-themed resort with indoor and outdoor waterparks, roller coasters and go-karts, and a 145-foot slide tower.

Day passes:
Yes. Park tickets are sold separately from rooms and cover the indoor and outdoor parks. Hotel stays include park access.
Highlights:
Rise of Icarus, billed as America's tallest waterslide (145 ft, 48-inch minimum), Medusa's Slidewheel (42-inch minimum), Poseidon's Rage wave pool, Lost City of Atlantis water play fortress, Icaria Splash 'N Slide kids' area
Ages:
All ages; big slides best for kids 48 inches and up
Best for:
Families wanting waterslides plus rides in one stop
Know before you go:
Medusa's Slidewheel may close in cold weather, and the Rise of Icarus runs in the outdoor season only.
Hours
  • Mon to Sun: 10 am to 9 pm

Hours change by season. Check before you go.

  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Day passes
  • Toddler area
  • Thrill slides
  • Lazy river
  • Wave pool
  • Theme park rides too
  • Arcade
The Wild WaterDome at Wilderness Resort
We've been

Wilderness Resort

Lake Delton · $$ · Year-round (indoor). Outdoor parks run about Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, and Lake Wilderness stays open on September weekends, weather permitting.

A large resort with four indoor and four outdoor waterparks spread across connected lodging, including one of the country's biggest indoor wave pools.

Day passes:
Yes. Waterpark passes are sold through the resort's Daily Adventures desk for dates up to 90 days out. Availability is limited on peak dates.
Size:
Nearly 500,000 sq ft across 4 indoor and 4 outdoor parks
Highlights:
Wild WaterDome (indoor) with the Great Wave wave pool, Klondike Kavern (indoor) with the Hurricane slide, Wild West (indoor) with dueling mat racers, Lost World (outdoor) with Cosmic Drop and Lunar Loop, Lake Wilderness and Cubby's Cove (outdoor)
Ages:
All ages; six toddler areas, and the thrill slides suit older kids and teens
Best for:
Multi-day stays and families who want variety
Know before you go:
Outside food, drinks and coolers aren't allowed in the waterpark pool areas. At Cubby's Cove, kids under 48 inches must wear a life jacket at all times.
  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Day passes
  • Toddler area
  • Thrill slides
  • Lazy river
  • Wave pool
  • Swim-up bar (21+)
  • Cabanas
  • Food on site
  • Arcade

Indoor waterpark resorts (1)

The lazy river at Great Wolf Lodge
We've been

Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells

Kalahari and Great Wolf · $$ · Year-round (indoor, kept at 84 degrees). Small outdoor area opens seasonally, weather permitting.

The original Great Wolf Lodge, with a warm indoor waterpark aimed at younger kids plus a small seasonal outdoor area.

Day passes:
Yes. Day passes start around $30. Sales are capped and sold-out dates can't be booked, and kids 2 and under are free.
Size:
76,000 sq ft indoor
Highlights:
Howlin' Tornado funnel ride (48 inches), Fort Mackenzie water fort, Slap Tail Pond wave pool, Crooked Creek lazy river, Tadpole Pond for small kids
Ages:
Toddlers through grade schoolers; most slides need 42 inches
Best for:
Families with toddlers and young kids
Know before you go:
Towels and life jackets are included with day passes. Outside food and coolers aren't allowed.
Hours
  • Mon to Sun: 10 am to 8 pm

Hours change by season. Check before you go.

  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Day passes
  • Toddler area
  • Thrill slides
  • Lazy river
  • Wave pool
  • Cabanas
  • Food on site
  • Arcade

Hotel waterparks (2)

Researched

Meadowbrook Resort

North of downtown · Year-round (indoor); outdoor area in summer

A cabin-and-suite resort with a logging-camp-themed indoor water play area and an outdoor pool with slides and geysers.

Day passes:
Not advertised. Call to ask before you go.
Highlights:
Mount Gushmore Dam indoor play area, Baby Bears Bubbling Brook, Hollow Tree Swimmin' Hole outdoors, Slippery Hickory tree slide
Ages:
Toddlers and young kids
Best for:
Cabin stays with little kids
  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Toddler area
Researched

Wingate by Wyndham Wisconsin Dells Waterpark

Kalahari and Great Wolf · Year-round (indoor); outdoor pool in summer

A chain hotel with a small Hawaiian-themed indoor water play area and an outdoor pool, aimed at families with little kids.

Day passes:
Not advertised. Call to ask before you go.
Highlights:
Hawaiian Village indoor waterpark, Geysers and kid-controlled sprays, Zero-depth entry for toddlers, Outdoor pool with slides
Ages:
Toddlers and young kids
Best for:
Simple stays with toddlers
Know before you go:
A tourism listing says Noah's Ark passes come with summer stays. Confirm when booking.
  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Toddler area

List last checked Oct 2026.

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