Minnesota’s Best Indoor Waterparks in 2024
If you’re looking for a fun day out with the family, why not head to one of the best indoor waterparks in Minnesota? These attractions offer a variety of activities for children of all ages, including rides, slides, pools, and more. Whether you’re a big fan of water parks or you’re new to the concept, these places are sure to please.
Leave the sunblock at home, and grab those diving rings and other toys, because we got the list of the best indoor waterparks in Minnesota.
When it comes to water, Minnesota is usually known for its lakes, but what about its pools? We actually have tons of them hiding in all corners of the state, and even more, hiding in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota has some amazing indoor waterparks. What I love, even more, is getting a night and making a family vacation for the trip! Check out some of these great properties and skip Wisconsin dells this year!
Ranked in the distance from Minneapolis, these parks are hours of fun.
Best Indoor Waterparks in Minnesota
Great River Waterpark | St. Paul
Location: 270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
Distance from Minneapolis: 7 miles
Cost: $7
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Large waterslides, floats, children’s activity pool, sauna, concessions, and more. The Great River Waterpark is a great local indoor pool the whole family will love. The pool is not open during the summertime. Lifejackets are available.
Great Wolf Lodge | Bloomington
Location: 1700 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
Distance from Minneapolis: 9 Miles
Cost: $30
Discounts: Admission is included with a hotel stay, Day Pass Available
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The Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington (formally the Water Park of America) has taken the Indoor waterpark to a whole other level. With Slides, Surfing, a Kid’s play area, water cannons, body slides, Wave Pool, a Lazy River, Waterfalls, and more. That’s just the beginning. The park also has dining, an arcade, a ropes course, MagiQuest and so much more.
The Great Wolf Lodge is conveniently located next to the Mall of America in the Twin Cities Metro. The guest rooms are themed adding to the experience. It’s one of the largest and best indoor water parks in the state. The whole family will love it!
Weekends and holidays at the Great Wolf Lodge book up fast! Make sure to book your stay by clicking here before they fill up.
Tropics Indoor Waterpark | Shoreview
Location: 4580 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
Distance from Minneapolis: 13 miles
Cost: $11 for kids, $12 for adults, or $45 for a family of 6
Discounts: Shoreview residents save $1.75, as well as military, Day Pass Available
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Perfect for little kids, they have the Bamboo Bay play area for kids 10 and under. With a zero-depth entry, this large play structure has slides, sprayers, and buckets.
This has a waterslide, water basketball, and volleyball, as well as floating creatures to climb on.
For adults, there is a whirlpool. For older kids, they have Shipwreck beach. Zero-depth entry, Boat slide, and Water walk. Members Only Swim Time.
Williston Fitness Center | Minnetaonka
Location: 14509 Minnetonka Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55345
Distance from Minneapolis: 13 miles
Cost: Adults $10, Kids 16 and younger $6
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The Williston Fitness Center is known for its epic Tree House play area. But did you know they also have an indoor splash pad? The splash pad is a zero-depth entry pool with a mini-frog waterslide. It’s perfect for younger kids and families.
Venetian Indoor Waterpark | Maple Grove
Location: 11801 Fountains Way, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Distance from Minneapolis: 16 miles
Cost: You must be staying at the hotel to use the waterpark.
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The Venetian Indoor Waterpark is a great place to have fun in the Northwest Suburbs. The family waterpark has two four-story waterslides, a floating obstacle course, basketball hoops, and a toddler area. Adults can relax in the 20 persona Spa!
Sitting next to the waterpark is a concession stand, and a full restaurant and bar! This a great indoor waterpark in Minnesota for people in the Twin Cities.
The only way to enjoy the waterpark is by staying at the Venetian Hotel by Holliday Inn. Each room reservation comes with 5 wristbands. The waterpark is only open on the weekends. The Venetian Indoor Waterpark is one of the best indoor water parks in Minnesota.
Make sure to check their waterpark schedule before booking your room. Currently, the waterpark is only open on the weekends. You can book your room by clicking here.
Grove Cove Aquatic Center | Maple Grove
Location: 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Distance from Minneapolis: 17 miles
Cost: $8 per person or $32 for a family of up to 5 people
Discounts: Check online for specials
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The Grove Cove Aquatic Center in Maple Grove has everything young kids love. A small slide for little ones, waterfalls, and a zero-depth entry pool. On the other side, you’ll find a waterslide and a rope swing. They also have a traditional lap pool.
Eden Prairie Aquatic Center | Eden Prairie
Location: 16700 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Distance from Minneapolis: 18 miles
Cost: $8 for Adults, $7.50 for youth (5-18), and Tots 18months to 5 are $5.75
Discounts: A family rate is only $25.50 for 5 people.
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The Eden Prairie Aquatic Center has so much to see and do. First up is the zero-depth entry pool with tons of water features including hoses, mushroom waterfalls, and buckets of falling water. A hot tub for the adults. A diving board, and slide for older kids. But what sets Eden Prairie apart is the AquaClimb Climbing Wall.
Shakopee Community Center | Shakopee
Location: 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN 55379
Distance from Minneapolis: 26 miles
Cost: $12 for adults, $10 for kids
Discounts: Residents of Shakopee pay half price!
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Shakopee’s indoor Aquatic Center is a 22,300-square foot of fun. With a great play structure for kids, with a zero-depth entry pool. The kid’s play structure has buckets of water, a big slide as well as a smaller one for younger kids. There is also a waterslide and lap pool. For adults, there is also a Spa and Sauna.
What I love about Shakopee’s indoor waterpark is that they offer Tot Time. Three days a weeks, infants and toddlers get to enter before the public does. This allows a calmer experience to get them acclimated to the environment. They also allow pool toys during this time.
The admission cost is for the entire community center. Take advantage of all the great things to do while you are there!
Wild Woods Waterpark | Otsego
Location: 9200 Quaday Ave NE, Otsego, MN 55330
Distance from Minneapolis: 32 miles
Cost: 4 Wristbands with the purchase of a hotel room. Extra passes are $20
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The Wild Woods Waterpark in Otsego is a great mark inside the Wyndham Garden Hotel. It’s been voted the best in the state. That’s because of its four-story water slides, two tube slides, and a body slide. They have a lazy river and basketball court.
For smaller kids, check out Buddy’s Playland. it’s got a zero-depth entry pool with toys and water activities.
Adults will love the large hot tub onsite. Plus they have a Pub n’ Grub Snack bar located onsite.
Each room comes with 4 waterpark passes.
Of all the Hotels and Waterparks in Minnesota, Wyndham Garden has the best rates!
Monticello Community Center | Monticello
Location: 505 Walnut St, Monticello, MN 55362
Distance from Minneapolis: 39 miles
Cost: $9 for adults and $8 for kids
Discounts: $1 off for residents
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The Monticello Community Center has an amazing indoor waterpark. With a great kid area with slides, and water features. It’s got a zero-depth entry that kids love. There is a traditional lap pool, basketball hoop, and a large waterslide.
This is a great swimming location you need to check out.
The Lagoon | Welch
Location: 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN 55089
Distance from Minneapolis: 56 miles
Cost: $14.95 for a day pass, $7.49 for a non-swimmer
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Located inside Treasure Island, this is a great waterpark, rivaling some of the biggest in the state. It has a zero-depth spray-and-play toddler area with a tot-sized toucan slide, dump bucket, and geysers. For bigger kids, there are two looping body slides, a lazy river, and an activity pool.
For adults, there is a separate area with hot tubs and a swim-up bar.
Rapid River Lodge Waterpark | Brainerd
Location: 7376 Woida Rd N, Baxter, MN 56425
Distance from Minneapolis: 133 miles
Cost: 4 passes included with the room
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If you’re looking for a beautiful place to stay while enjoying a waterpark, Rapid River Lodge & Water Park is the perfect option. In 2020–2022, the property underwent a major remodel that included a new pool and spa, updated rooms and suites, and even a new cafe.
The kid’s area has a wiggly bridge, a giant fish to crawl through, water features, and a slide. For bigger kids and adults, there is a lazy river and two large waterslides. Every room comes with 4 water park passes. Additional passes can also be purchased.
Rapid River Lodge Waterpark also has an outdoor pool for those staying during summer.
Book your stay by clicking here.
Three Bear Waterpark | Brainerd
Location: 15739 Audubon Way, Brainerd, MN 56401
Distance from Minneapolis: 133 miles
Cost: All rooms include 4 waterpark passes
Discounts: Public passes to the waterpark are offered Sunday-Thursday when capacity allows for $16.69 per person
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When it comes to epic waterparks, Three Bear Waterpark in Brainerd is one of the best is one of the best indoor water parks in Minnesota. That’s because it has the Big Splash, a 1,000-gallon splash bucket, and two 300’ slides. There is a giant hot tub for adults that can fit 18 people.
Two basketball hoops and a lazy river! The kid’s play area has a plunge slide, tot slide, and Cub Express.
When you get hungry, head over to the nearby food bar. What I love is that they have locker rooms on site! No need to run back to your room. Three Bear Waterpark is located in Holiday Inn Express & Suites so you know you’ll have great service.
Reserve your stay at The Three Bear Waterpark to ensure you get to enjoy the waterpark! It’s one of the best indoor waterparks in Minnesota.
Paul Bunyan Waterpark | Baxter
Location: 6967 Lake Forest Rd, Baxter, MN 56425
Distance from Minneapolis: 134 miles
Cost: Free with a hotel stay
Discounts: Can purchases tickets for outside guests for $20 per person.
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The Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes is home to the 30,000-square-foot indoor waterpark known as Paul Bunyan Waterpark. Inside you’ll find everything you need for a good time. Like Tube Slide, a four-story body slide, Indoor/Outdoor hot tub with a heated outdoor patio floor.
There is a lazy River, Pool Basketball hoops, Pauls’s Log Walk, and a zero-depth entry pool with a fountain for the young kids.
I know there are a lot of options to stay in the Brainerd Lakes Area, but this is a great one for older kids because of the extra slides! Make sure to book your stay by clicking here.
Big Splash Arrowwood Indoor Waterpark | Alexandria
Location: 2100 Arrowwood Ln, Alexandria, MN 56308
Distance from Minneapolis: 140 miles
Cost: Bundled with the room
Discounts: General Admission Passes ($15.95) are available for those not staying at the hotel, as well as spectator passes.
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The Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center has the Big Splash Indoor Waterpark inside. With over 38,000 square feet of entertainment. They have a four-story waterslide. A lazy river, which everyone loves, or a tropical whirlpool spa.
Kids will love the basketball shootout and the lily pad water walk. The fun activities never end. When you are looking for the best indoor water parks in Minnesota, you can’t go wrong with Big Splash Arrowwood.
Arrowwood Resorts make two spots on the list because they are that great. You can book a stay by clicking here.
The Edgewater Waterpark | Duluth
Location: 2400 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55812
Distance from Minneapolis: 157 miles
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The Edgewater Waterpark is the best hotel to stay at with kids in Duluth! Seriously, why would you consider anything else? The waterpark is 35,000 square feet. They have a vortex pool, spiral-down waterslides, and a lazy river.
The paradise Playground is great for younger kids. They have a 300 splash bucket that empties every few minutes. The size of inch deep pool makes it safe for even the youngest kids. Plus they have plenty of water toys, slides, and more to keep them having fun!
The older kids will love the Tiki Thriller and Tiki Tumbler slides when you are done with the waterpark, refuel at their Tiki Tom’s Oasis & Grill. Or do some mini golf or visit the arcade. The edge water is a great place for the entire family.
The Edgewater Warperk in Duluth is busy during holiday weekends, and Fall Color Trips. Make sure you plan ahead. Book your stay by clicking here.
Know before you go
We live in a crazy world. Before booking a stay anywhere or leaving the house, I always recommend checking their schedule. The community pools will shut down for a few weeks for maintenance and some hotel waterparks are only open on the weekends. Outside Guest rates are dependent on capacity.
In almost all parks, they require proper swim attire. Sorry, no jean shorts with grommets on any waterslides.
Tips for planning a family vacation to an indoor waterpark in Minnesota
Planning a family vacation to an indoor waterpark in Minnesota can be a fun and exciting experience for everyone. To ensure that your trip goes smoothly, it’s important to do some research and plan ahead.
First, consider the age range of your children and choose a waterpark that caters to their interests and abilities.
Next, think about your budget and compare prices for different waterparks and hotel packages.
It’s also a good idea to book your accommodations and tickets in advance, as many indoor waterparks can get quite crowded, especially on weekends and holidays
Lastly, don’t forget to pack swimsuits, towels, and any other necessary items, as well as any additional spending money for food, souvenirs, and additional activities.
With a little bit of planning, your family vacation to an indoor waterpark in Minnesota is sure to be a memorable and enjoyable experience.
What is the Best Indoor Waterpark in Minnesota?
If you ask my kids, they’d say Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington MN. That’s because they are the largest. Personally, I’m partial to the smaller parks, because it’s easier to keep track of everyone and there are no lines for rides! The trick is finding the balance. I recommend Three Bear Waterpark with a mix of big and little kids and Big Splash Arrowwood Indoor Waterpark if you have older kids. They are personal favorites.
