Wanna Get Wet in Minnesota? Go to a Water Park!

Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, is also home to a surprising number of water parks, ready to provide aquatic thrills and refreshing escapes. When the summer sun blazes, these watery havens offer the perfect antidote to the heat. But the fun doesn’t stop when the leaves change. Recognizing the need for year-round entertainment, Minnesota boasts an impressive array of indoor water park resorts, offering climate-controlled splashes regardless of the season. Let’s dive into the delightful world of Minnesota’s water parks, exploring the diverse options available for aquatic adventurers of all ages. If you truly Wanna Get Wet in Minnesota? Go to a Water Park!

This guide explores Minnesota’s diverse water park landscape, from expansive outdoor complexes to cozy indoor retreats, each offering a unique blend of attractions and amenities. Prepare to be amazed by the variety and scope of aquatic adventures awaiting you in the North Star State.

Outdoor Water Parks: Soaking Up the Sun

For those who relish the feeling of sunshine on their skin and a gentle breeze in their hair, Minnesota’s outdoor water parks offer the quintessential summer experience. These parks typically operate during the warmer months, providing a perfect setting for family fun, thrilling rides, and refreshing relaxation.

Bunker Beach (Coon Rapids): Operated by the City of Coon Rapids, Bunker Beach is a community-focused water park designed for family fun. The park’s central attraction is its expansive wave pool, generating rhythmic swells that mimic the ocean’s embrace. Six diverse water slides offer varying levels of excitement, from gentle slopes for younger guests to adrenaline-pumping drops for thrill-seekers. A leisurely lazy river meanders through the park, providing a relaxing way to soak up the sun. For younger children, an interactive kids’ pool offers a safe and engaging environment with sprinklers, fountains, and shallow water. Volleyball courts add a sporty dimension to the park, inviting friendly competition on the sand.
Cascade Bay (Eagan): Operated by the City of Eagan, Cascade Bay is a testament to community investment in recreational opportunities. This medium-sized water park offers a balanced blend of relaxation and excitement. A winding lazy river invites guests to float along at a gentle pace, while a selection of body slides and tube slides caters to those seeking a more exhilarating experience. Kiddie slides provide a safe and fun introduction to water park thrills for younger visitors. Adding to the park’s appeal is a miniature golf course, offering a dry-land diversion for those seeking a break from the water.
Nisswa Family Fun Water Park (Nisswa): This smaller, family-owned water park offers a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Three water slides provide a manageable dose of excitement, while a wading pool offers a safe and shallow space for young children to splash and play. Two hot tubs provide a soothing respite for adults, offering a chance to unwind and relax.
River Springs Water Park (Owatonna): Another example of a municipal water park, River Springs in Owatonna caters to a wide range of interests. A body slide and tube slide offer thrilling descents, while an activity pool provides a space for general swimming and aquatic games. A lazy river allows for a leisurely float, while a lily pad walk challenges guests to test their balance and agility. A climbing wall integrated into the pool adds a unique element of adventure.
Soak City (Shakopee): Located within the larger Valleyfair amusement park, Soak City is a sprawling water park offering a diverse range of attractions. From high-speed slides to a meandering lazy river, there’s something for everyone at Soak City. Speed slides deliver adrenaline-pumping drops, while a family raft ride allows groups to experience the thrill together. A lunch capsule body slide provides a unique and enclosed descent, while dedicated kids’ areas ensure that even the youngest visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. As part of Valleyfair, Soak City also grants access to a wide array of dry rides, including roller coasters and other thrill attractions.
Wild Mountain (Taylors Falls): Situated at the Wild Mountain ski resort, this water park offers a unique blend of summer and winter activities. The Big Country inner-tube ride provides a thrilling group experience, while the Black Hole speed slide plunges riders into darkness for an adrenaline-fueled descent. A lazy river offers a relaxing float, while a dedicated kids’ area ensures that younger visitors have a safe and engaging space to play.

Indoor Water Park Resorts: Year-Round Aquatic Adventures

When the snow flies and the temperatures plummet, Minnesota’s indoor water park resorts offer a warm and inviting escape. These resorts provide a climate-controlled environment where guests can enjoy water slides, lazy rivers, and other aquatic attractions regardless of the weather outside.

The Big Splash Indoor Water Park at the Arrowwood Resort (Alexandria): This medium-sized indoor water park offers a balanced blend of attractions for guests of all ages. Tube slides and a body slide provide thrilling descents, while a whirlpool spa offers a relaxing respite. A children’s play fort with a tipping bucket provides endless entertainment for younger guests, while a lazy river invites leisurely floats. The Arrowwood Resort itself offers a wide range of amenities, including golf, a marina, a spa, a conference center, and multiple restaurants.
The Edge Indoor Water Park at the Edgewater Resort (Duluth): Open to registered hotel guests and available for group bookings, The Edge offers a comfortable and engaging water park experience. Body slides and tube slides provide thrilling descents, while a Vortex Pool with a variable speed current offers a unique and challenging aquatic experience. A spa provides a relaxing respite, while an interactive water play center keeps younger guests entertained.
Great Wolf Lodge (Bloomington): Part of the renowned Great Wolf Lodge chain, the Bloomington location (formerly Water Park of America) is a large and comprehensive indoor water park resort. A surfing simulator ride offers a unique and challenging activity, while tube and body water slides provide thrilling descents. An interactive water play structure keeps younger guests engaged, while a family raft ride allows groups to experience the fun together. Hot tub spas offer a relaxing respite, while a lazy river invites leisurely floats. Beyond the water park, the resort also offers an arcade, a ropes course, bowling, and a climbing wall.
New Ulm Water Park (New Ulm): Opened in 2021, this municipal indoor water park offers a modern and well-equipped aquatic experience. Water slides provide thrilling descents, while a whirlpool offers a relaxing respite. A pool for recreation and lap swimming caters to both leisure and fitness activities. The recreation center also includes a climbing wall and an indoor playground with a climbing structure, offering a diverse range of activities for the whole family.
Paul Bunyan Water Park at The Arrowwood Lodge (Baxter): Despite its namesake’s legendary size, the Paul Bunyan Water Park is a medium-sized indoor park offering a well-rounded aquatic experience. A lazy river invites leisurely floats, while tube slides and body slides provide thrilling descents. Kiddie slides cater to younger guests, while an interactive play structure keeps them engaged. The facility also includes an arcade, sand volleyball, horseshoes, and a zipline, offering a variety of dry-land activities.
Rapid River Lodge Waterpark (Baxter): Located within the Comfort Suites, the Rapid River Lodge Waterpark offers a smaller, more intimate indoor water park experience that is open to the public and guests of the hotel. Tube slides and body slides provide thrilling descents, while a lazy river invites leisurely floats. Water basketball adds a competitive element, while a sauna and hot tub offer relaxing respites.
Seven Clans Casino/Hotel and Waterpark (Thief River Falls): This medium-sized indoor water park offers a diverse range of attractions for guests of the Seven Clans Hotel and the general public. Tube and body water slides provide thrilling descents, while a lazy river invites leisurely floats. A tipping bucket adds an element of surprise, while a wading pool offers a safe and shallow space for young children. Two hot tubs provide relaxing respites.
Three Bear Waterpark at the Holiday Inn Express (Baxter): Open to both Holiday Inn guests and the general public, Three Bear Waterpark offers a smaller, family-friendly indoor water park experience. A tipping bucket adds an element of surprise, while a tube slide and body slide provide thrilling descents. Spas offer relaxing respites, while an activity pool and activities for young children ensure that guests of all ages have a fun and engaging experience.
The Tropics (Shoreview): This small, municipal indoor water park offers a unique and engaging aquatic experience with discounted rates for residents of Shoreview. The "Shark Attack" water slide allows riders to choose a song and experience a light and music show, while Bamboo Bay, an interactive water play center, keeps younger guests entertained.
Venetian Indoor Water Park at the Holiday Inn Arbor Lakes (Maple Grove): This small indoor water park is open to registered hotel guests and available for private functions. Two water slides provide thrilling descents, while a kiddie slide caters to younger guests. Water basketball adds a competitive element, while a lily pad walk challenges balance and agility. A wading pool offers a safe and shallow space for young children, while a hot tub provides a relaxing respite.
Wild Woods Indoor Water Park at Elk River/Rogers Holiday Inn (Elk River): Open to both Holiday Inn guests and the general public, Wild Woods offers a medium-sized indoor water park experience. Water slides provide thrilling descents, while a log walk challenges balance and agility. A lazy river invites leisurely floats, while a 20-person spa with a waterfall offers a luxurious and relaxing respite. A Vortex pool adds a unique and challenging aquatic element.