Whether you want to cool off from the summer heat or take a break from winter, waterparks can be the answer! There are 10 within driving distance of Knoxville, giving you and your family plenty of choices. There are rides for thrill-seekers and lazy rivers galore for those who just want to relax. Knoxville Moms put together this list to help you plan your trip. Some of these waterparks have accommodations so you can extend your visit to a full-blown vacation. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen even if you’re visiting a waterpark in the winter. Most of the indoor facilities have special roofs allowing sunlight which means you could get a sunburn. Otherwise pack extra swimsuits for all the fun you’re going to have!
Waterparks Near Knoxville
Country Cascades Waterpark Resort
204 Sharon Drive
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-877-686-7829
Admission: Click here for resort/waterpark packages
Outdoor Waterpark Opening Date: Friday, March 10th
Description: This waterpark has over 75,000 gallons of water. It has a body slide, thrill river ride and indoor and outdoor pools.
Dollywood’s Splash Country
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-800-365-5996
Admission: 2023 Prices TBA
Season Passes: $159.00-$224.00 plus tax
Opening Date: Saturday, May 13th
Description: You can race together on TailSpin Racer, the whole family can twist and turn on Raging River Rapids, the kids can get drenched in Little Creek Falls and everyone can grab a tube and ride a wave in Mountain Waves, the massive wave pool. Bear Mountain Fire Tower is a multi-level play structure. The lazy river is great for all ages. The Cascades is a lagoon-style pool with play elements for the littles. There are even more slides you can check out here.
Great Wolf Lodge (LaGrange, Georgia)
150 Tom Hall Parkway
LaGrange, GA 30240
1-844-473-9653
Admission: Click here for resort/waterpark packages, Full Day Pass $85.00, Half Day Pass $68.00
Open Daily 9:00am-8:00pm
Description: The resort features a 93,000-square-foot waterpark. It includes an interactive four-story treehouse with slides and toys, wave pool, lazy river, tube slides, family slide, play pool with toddler-sized attractions and more.
Kentucky Splash Waterpark (Williamsburg, KY)
1050 Highway 92 W
Williamsburg, KY 40769
(606) 549-6065
Admission: $15.00, Two & Under Free
Season Passes Available
Opening Date: TBA
Description: The center includes an 18,000 square foot wave pool, a lazy river, a kiddy activity pool plus a triple slide complex and a double slide tower! Also, an 18-hole miniature golf course and an arcade.
Lake Winnie SOAKya Water Park (Rossville, Georgia)
1730 Lakeview Drive
Rossville, GA 30741
(706) 866-5681
Admission: $41.95 plus tax, Ages 1-2 $31.95 plus tax, Ages 60+ $31.95 plus tax Admission includes both Lake Winnie Amusement Park & SOAKya Water Park
Season Passes: Early Bird $89.95 plus tax, Onsite $109.95 plus tax
Opening Date: Saturday, May 27th, 2023
Description: The five-acre waterpark features a crazy river, two body slides, two tube slides, an 800-foot mat racer and an interactive kids’ area just for little ones. Read more from Chattanooga Moms.
The Resort at Governor’s Crossing (Sevierville)
225 Collier Drive
Sevierville, TN 37862
1-800-497-5749
Admission: Click here for resort/waterpark packages.
Indoor Waterpark Open Daily 9:00am-11:00pm
Outdoor Waterpark Opening Date: Friday, March 3rd
Description: The indoor waterpark has a toddler splash and play zone, two high speed slides, zero entry pool with water umbrella, 20-person hot tub, swim jets, water basketball and sauna. The outdoor waterpark has a multi-level play area for kids, 80-foot water slide, 250-foot lazy river, swimming pool, children’s pool with play features and a hot tub.
Soaky Mountain Waterpark (Sevierville)
175 Gists Creek Road
Sevierville, TN 37876
(833) 687-6259
Admission: $47.99
Season Passes: $109.99
Opening Date: Saturday, May 13th
Description: There is a range of family and thrill rides as well as an area for the littles. Families will enjoy the inflatable obstacle course, the 35,000 square foot wave pool and an adventure river. There are also several tube slides appropriate for families. Thrill-seekers love the water coasters, the Flowrider, body slides and a mat racer. Littles can check out the multi-level play structure and Boomer’s Bay which offers pint-sized versions of the big kid rides.
SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland (Nashville)
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 889-1000
Admission: Click here for Hotel/SoundWaves packages, Wristbands not required for ages 3 and under, Daily Passes offered based on availability
Indoor Pool: Open Daily 10:00am-8:00pm
Outdoor Pool Opening Date: Saturday, May 20th, 2023
Description: The indoor waterpark offers three water slides, a FlowRider that allows two people to surf at once, rapid and lazy rivers, lagoon activity pool, multi-level play structure and a splash pad designed for your children. The outdoor waterpark has looping drop and body slides, 4-lane race, a multi-level kids play structure, wave pool and more.
Wild Bear Falls Waterpark (Gatlinburg)
915 Westgate Resorts Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-4800
Admission: Guest Rates: $24.95 plus tax, Three-Day Admission $53.85 plus tax, Five-Day Admission $84.75 plus tax, Children under 3 Free
Lockers available to rent for $10.00.
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00am-7:00pm
Description: Retractable roof and heated indoor pool. Lazy river, two giant waterslides and interactive treehouse.
Wilderness of the Smokies (Sevierville)
1424 Old Knoxville Highway
Sevierville, TN 37876
(877) 325-9453
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm, Friday 10:00am-10:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-10:00pm and Sunday 9:00am-8:00pm
Description: The Wild Waterdome is the name of the waterpark at Wilderness of the Smokies. It has a wave pool, surf rider, tube slides and a family slide. There’s also a multi-level play structure. In addition, there is a shallow play pool for small children with swings, a small slide and more.
We recently visited the SOAKya waterpark at Lake Winnie and had a blast! It was a fun way to spend the afternoon and keep cool!