5 Best Indoor Water Parks in PA - Been There Done That with Kids (2024)

Anytime is a good time to visit indoor water parks in PA (Pennsylvania). Maybe it’s winter and not outdoor water park season, or it’s just too hot to be at outdoor water parks. Maybe it’s rainy and you want to utilize the indoor water park at Hersheypark for hours of fun.

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Luckily, Pennsylvania has plenty of indoor water parks to choose from for some family fun!

Indoor water parks in PA

There are a total of three great water parks in the Pocono Mountains area. Plus there’s a pool near Harrisburg, which we’ll add to the list because it includes a water slide and some splash park elements. Last but not least, there’s Hershey Lodge!

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Check out this list of best indoor waterparks for the entire family in PA:

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is located in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, specifically it’s in the town of Scotrun. This indoor water park is geared toward younger children. There is a good size kid’s pool with three kiddie slides, an activity pool with a basketball hoop, and other spray features.

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Great Wolf Lodge

Even though small kids are the focus, there are large water slides and a multi-level slide complex in the middle of the water park. So, even the whole family can have fun! In addition to the water park, there’s also kid-friendly activities each day.

Great Wolf Lodge is a resort, so many visitors reserve an overnight stay. Most people stay at the resort to gain access to the water park, but they do offer day passes. Read more about visiting Great Wolf Lodge here.

Aquatopia Indoor Water Park

Aquatopia is an indoor water park that is also located in the Poconos in Camelback Resort. It features a wave pool, a very nicely-themed lazy river, and one of the best raft slides called the Venus Slydetrap. Some of the other favorite things in this waterpark is the bowl slide and large wave pool.

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It’s possible to rent private cabanas at Aquatopia. Some cabanas even have a TV and refrigerator. Aquatopia has one of the nicest hot tubs in the area, as it is both indoors and outdoors!

Aquatopia is located in Camelback Mountain Resort, which also features restaurants and many other attractions for kids. Read more about Aquatopia here.

In the summer months, Camelback is also home to Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark.

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Kalahari Resort

Kalahari Resort is not only the biggest indoor water park in PA, but it’s also the second largest indoor water park in North America. There’s a very large toddler water play area with multiple slides, swings, water table and even a mini lazy river. Of course, there are plenty of giant slides and a raft slide too, including a water coaster.

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The Kalahari Resort is also a gigantic convention center and resort. There are several options for hotel rooms, including multi-bedroom suites.

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Plenty of activities are available throughout the resort if you’re looking for additional things to do. There’s also many dining options at the resort. Learn more about Kalahari here.

Hershey Lodge Indoor Water Park

Hershey’s Water Works at Hershey Lodge is a bit smaller when compared to the water parks already mentioned. However, it still have 30,000 square feet of water attractions. Inside Water Works is the Reese’s Walk, toddler slide area, and two body slides for older children.

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This indoor water park in PA is an added plus when visiting the many family-friendly attractions in the Hershey area. Main attractions of the Hershey area include the amusem*nt park with over 13 roller coasters! This indoor pool option in Hershey is one of the best in the area!

You will need to be an overnight guest of Hershey Lodge in order to use Water Works, the Lodge’s indoor water park. The Lodge does not sell day passes to Hershey’s Water Works.

Hershey Lodge also has an outdoor pool in the summer, and many other fun things like mini golf and arcade games in their game room.

Hersheypark, Hershey Gardens, ZooAmerica and even more attractions are available to visit when you stay at Hershey Lodge.

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The Hotel Hershey, another one of Hersheypark’s Official Resorts has an indoor pool and small splash pad.

You’ll find the best deals for staying at the Lodge during the winter months when Hersheypark is closed. Read more about Hershey Lodge here.

Friendship YMCA Indoor Pool

Harrisburg has a family recreation center called the Friendship YMCA. Membership rates are available, but they also allow day passes for guests who only plan to visit sporadically.

The Friendship YMCA indoor water park has a small twist slide, zero-depth entry, and a giant frog to climb on. The water slide has been undergoing maintenance in 2022, so call ahead before making plans to use the slide.

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Read more about the Friendship Center here

Have an amazing time checking out these amazing water parks!

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5 Best Indoor Water Parks in PA - Been There Done That with Kids (2024)

FAQs

5 Best Indoor Water Parks in PA - Been There Done That with Kids? ›

If your kids are all over 48" Kalahari is great for the whole day, if you have little ones between 42"-48" and are solo, we suggest Aquatopia.

What's better Kalahari or Aquatopia? ›

If your kids are all over 48" Kalahari is great for the whole day, if you have little ones between 42"-48" and are solo, we suggest Aquatopia.

What is Pennsylvania's largest waterpark? ›

In the summer, visit Pennsylvania's largest outdoor water park at Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark .

What is the number one rated water park in the United States? ›

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, New Braunfels, TX

This Texas waterpark has been named the best water park in the world 22 times by Amusem*nt Today Magazine. Ride a watercoaster, a tube chute, and even a skycoaster – part skydiving, part hang-gliding, allowing guests to "fly" through the park.

Which park is bigger Kalahari or Camelback? ›

More Huge Indoor Waterparks in the United States

Two of the biggest and best (and among the industry's early pioneers) are in the water park capital of the world, Wisconsin Dells: Kalahari at 125,000 square feet and Chula Vista at 110,000 square feet. Aquatopia at Camelback Lodge in Pennsylvania is 125,000 square feet.

Is Camelback or Kalahari better? ›

If you want more of a vacation/getaway feel, go to Camelback. Kalahari has the superior, larger waterpark. There are more food choices at Kalahari, but IME, overall food quality is better at Camelback. Rooms are similar, nothing super luxurious about either place.

What is the cheapest day to go to Kalahari? ›

For the best room deals at Kalahari Resort & Conventions, plan to stay on a Sunday or Saturday. The most expensive day is usually Monday. The cheapest price a room at Kalahari Resort & Conventions was booked for on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $372, while the most expensive was $577.

What is the biggest wave pool in Pennsylvania? ›

Waldameer Park & Water World.

Which Kalahari is the biggest? ›

The Round Rock location's 223,000-square-foot indoor water park is the second largest in the United States, followed by the Pocono Mountains location's 220,000-square-foot water park, the 173,000-square-foot waterpark in Sandusky and the Wisconsin Dells' 125,000-square-foot park.

What is the largest inside water park? ›

Tropical Islands is one of the two biggest indoor water parks in the world (along with Suntago at Park of Poland, which opened near Mszczonów in 2020), and manages to keep its visitors warm, though not dry, all year. The water park caters to vacationers of all kinds.

What water park has the biggest lazy river? ›

1. Waco Surf | Waco, TX. This is billed as being the world's longest (the website says 'allegedly') lazy river, which is nearly a mile long.

What's the largest indoor water park in America? ›

The authentically African-themed Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America's Largest Indoor Waterparks.

What is the best age for Kalahari? ›

Great Wolf Lodge is better for younger kids, IMHO (ages 2–12, maybe); there are more self-contained areas for easier supervision, whereas Kalahari is better for slightly older kids (maybe 5–15,). If your brand of parenting involves stiff drinks, Kalahari is much more liquor focused, with bartenders and full drinks.

Is Kalahari good for toddlers? ›

Our family had a wonderful time at Kalahari. There are so many things for kids of all ages to do, we have an 8, 5 & 15 month old and each had a great time! Of course we spent a lot of our time at the water parks, but they also have zip lining, bowling and a huge arcade our older kids enjoyed.

How big is the Great Wolf Pocono water park? ›

2. Great Wolf Lodge. Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun is a classic vacation destination for family fun, where guests always play for free in the gigantic, 79,000-square-foot indoor water park.

Is Kalahari the same as Camelback? ›

Kalahari is African safari themed and Camelback has a ski-lodge vibe. The Camelback water park has a snow / adventure theme.

Does aquatopia have a lazy river? ›

Photo: Aquatopia Water Park Lazy River.

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