Vacation fun can come to a screeching halt with a little inclement weather. Cloudy skies give way to storms that sully hope for an outdoor adventure, and cold temperatures can force travelers to stay indoors. Luckily, these waterparks have found a workaround, providing a splashing good time from the comfort of weatherproof refuges. Speed down epic slides, float down lazy rivers, and test your balance with some surfing at these epic indoor waterparks in the United States.
10 Aquatopia - Pennsylvania
It's always summer at Aquatopia, an indoor waterpark located inside the Camelback Lodge and Resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. A see-through roof lets in the natural light as guests conquer a free-fall waterslide, navigate the motions of the ocean in the wave pool, or enjoy a leisurely float down the lazy river. Aquatopia is home to the largest indoor watercoaster, the Storm Chaser. The ride is over 700 feet long and features speedy tunnels and five white-knuckle drops.
9 Wild WaterDome, Wilderness At The Smokies - Tennessee
Mountain charm and first-class luxury combine to create an epically good time at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort in Sevierville, Tennessee. The indoor waterpark, Wild WaterDome, features an array of exciting attractions. Groups can board a giant raft and wind through Runaway Canyon, a five-story ride through tunnels and water curtains that climaxes with a 60-foot drop. Daredevils can plummet down a high-speed tunnel into a funnel on the Storm Chaser, spinning like a whirlpool before crashing into the water below.
8 Kalahari Resort - Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Dells is known for its waterparks, and the resort town knows how to keep its guests happy even in the dead of winter. The Kalahari Indoor Waterpark is the largest in the state and is full of fun for all ages. Adults can enjoy a poolside cocktail at the Mud Hut Swim-Up Bar while kids explore a multi-level water fort in the Leopard's Lair. The Crocodile Cove activity pool is full of opportunities for some friendly competition, and adventure-seekers can test their limits on the gravity-defying drops on the Screaming Hyena slides.
7 Jay Peak Pump House - Vermont
Vermont experiences some seriously cold weather in the winter months, but visitors to the Jay Peak Pump House would never know it. The large indoor waterpark is covered in windows that let in an abundance of natural light, so guests should prepare for a healthy tan no matter the time of year. People can soak in the relaxing jets in the hot tubs or find some thrill on La Chute, a mammoth free-fall waterslide that plunges its riders at high speeds into a pool below.
6 Avalanche Bay - Michigan
Seven super cool waterslides and four pools make Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park in Boyne Falls, Michigan the ideal place for some aquatic family fun. Guests can hang ten on the Rip Zone Surf Simulator and go for gold on the Downhill Mat Racer slides. The namesake Avalanche is the Splasherhorn, a bucket that slowly fills with hundreds of gallons of water before a warning bell goes off and dumps it on the people below.
5 DreamWorks - New Jersey
Animation lovers of all ages will have a great time at the DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey. The colorful park is the largest of its kind in North America and boasts some record-breaking rides that visitors will want to go on over and over again. Giant sculptures of favorite DreamWorks characters like the Ice Age penguins and the Kung Fu Panda decorate the building. Riders of Dragon and Dronkey's Flight will whoosh past Shrek sitting on a throne before plummeting into a pool of water. Those with a need for speed can drop through a trap door down the world's largest speed slide on the vibrant Surfari Slider.
4 Epic Waters - Texas
Epic Waters lives up to its name. The indoor waterpark is a tropical oasis in dry Texas, and just like everything else in the state promises fun on a grand scale. Tuberiders will slither through high-speed tunnels before being flung up a slick wall on the Yellowjacket Drop. Pint-sized visitors will enjoy a safe and fun time at Rascal's Roundup, a massive water fort filled with surprise sprinklers, slides, and a tipping bucket.
3 SoundWaves At Gaylord Opryland - Tennessee
For an upscale feel that doesn't turn down the volume on fun, travelers should head to Soundwaves in Nashville. The crisp, white interior gives the place a fancy ambiance inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Waterfalls cascade down rock walls adorned in live plants. Distinct activity zones aim to entertain guests of all ages, making the resort ideal for families or couples seeking a romantic getaway. Guests can choose complete darkness or a lighted adventure on the Stage Dive body slides. The Rapid Remix puts larger groups on mega rafts and sends them on a series of loops alive with LED lights and music.
2 Timber Ridge Lodge - Wisconsin
Cabin charm and marine adventure come together at the Timber Ridge Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells. Hollowed-out trees carry guests upstairs to the bases of epic waterslides that end in perfectly warm pools. A ropes course hangs above the water, where those determined to cross will have a chance to rest their arms while standing atop platforms that look like tree trunks. The best of the outdoors comes inside at the Timber Lodge Resort, a year-round attraction guaranteed to impress its visitors.
1 Sahara Sam's - New Jersey
Nothing beats a good theme, and Sahara Sam's has got its subject matter down. The indoor water adventure park is filled with creatively named attractions that take guests out of New Jersey and into the desert. Pairs of thrill-seekers can race down the five-story tall mat slides on Tut's Twister. For a little rest and relaxation, all a person needs to do is grab a tube and float down the Congo Bongo, a massive lazy river decorated by a calming garden terrace and steamy warming pools.