Cool Off Your Summer with a Visit to a Water Park

Minnesota Has Lots of Water Park Options Both Outdoors and Indoors
The end of July and August feature some of the hottest temperatures in Minnesota in the summer. So why not take a day or a weekend to cool off and have a fun day with your family? Check out our list of indoor and outdoor water parks in Minnesota that includes links to more information on each water park. Most of them are located in the Twin Cities, including the nation’s largest indoor water park. So if you don’t want to drive to the Wisconsin Dells for a weekend, or you just want a water park you can visit for a couple of hours, you’ll probably find an option in our extensive list. Enjoy the water!
INDOOR WATER PARKS
Water Park of America
Radisson Hotel, Bloomington, Minnesota
The nation’s largest water park, the Water Park of America is located adjacent to the Radisson Hotel near Bloomington’s famous Mall of America. Encompassing 70,000 square feet of aquatic adventures, the park’s main attraction is a massive, 10-story tall suite of water slides that together cover more than a mile. The series of slides include an enclosed, clear acrylic tube slide that shoots family-sized rafts downwards for 100 feet. The park also boasts the state’s first surf simulator, a wave pool for surfboarders. Other features include a long lazy river ride, an activity pool and the Fort Snelling play area for smaller children where a massive 500-gallon bucket dumps water every two minutes and 15 seconds on the giggling children below.
For more information: https://www.waterparkofamerica.com/
 Waterpark at The Depot
Whether you’re young or young-at-heart, you’ll enjoy all The Depot Waterpark has to offer in downtown Minneapolis. From the three-story, indoor/outdoor water slide to the video arcade to the secluded northwoods whirlpool area, this urban venue is a perfect weekend highlight for your little ones and will keep them entertained for hours.
For more information: https://www.thedepotminneapolis.com/water-park.php
Safari Island Community Center Indoor Waterpark
Waconia, Minnesota
Enjoy a wild and watery expedition at the Safari Island Community Center Indoor Waterpark and Fitness Center. Splash in the indoor waterpark zero-depth entry pool and 175′ slide, lap pool with 1 meter diving boards and pool basketball hoops and spa. After your swim enjoy one of the many additional amenities including Lion’s Den 4-level indoor play structure, Iron Forest fitness center, Rainforest Trails indoor track, Gorilla Ridge 4 court gymnasium and batting cages.
For more information: https://www.exploreminnesota.com/things-to-do/4673/safari-island-community-center-indoor-waterpark-and-fitness-center
Venetian Indoor Water Park
Holiday Inn and Suites, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Set within the grounds of the Holiday Inn and Suites in the Maple Grove area in northwest Minneapolis, The Venetian Indoor Water Park provides a Mediterranean-themed environment that’s particularly warm and welcoming. A small-scale venue, the 25,000 square-foot park features four water slides, two of which are four stories high. The Bambini Piscina is designed especially for young children, with a beach-entry pool with three slides, two water guns and numerous floor geysers. Older children will enjoy playing water basketball in the activity pool. The ceiling of the indoor park is designed to recreate the starry sky of Venice at night.
For more information: https://www.venetianwaterpark.com/
 Wild Woods Indoor Water Park
Holiday Inn, Elk River, Minnesota
The Wild Woods Indoor Water Park is part of the Holiday Inn at Elk River resort. The Western-themed park features a Log Walk where kids can test their balance before tumbling into a pool. The 30,000 square-foot park includes three four-story tube and body water slides, a lazy river and both an activity pool and a zero-entry pool. Buddy’s Playland is designed for smaller children, with a beach-entry pool complete with aquatic toys and activities.
For more information: https://www.hielkriver.com/waterpark/
 Big Splash Indoor Water Park
Arrowwood Resort and Conference, Alexandria, Minnesota
Tons of water fun await you in this huge 38,000 square foot Minnesota indoor waterpark at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Alexandria, Minnesota. This waterpark features three exhilarating 4-story slides that twist and turn and take you on a journey inside and outside the waterpark, “Lazy River” floating inner tube ride, tropical whirlpool spa, lily pad waterwalk, basketball shoot out, children’s play fort with water blasters, and geysers all topped off with “Calypso Cabana” the 500-gallon splash bucket!
For more information: https://www.arrowwoodresort.com/waterpark/
Edge Indoor Water Park at the Edgewater Resort
Edgewater Resort, Duluth, Minnesota
The Edge Indoor Water Park features a tropical theme and the park includes a volcano that explodes every few minutes. The highlight is the 45-foot-tall Tiki Tumbler slide complex with body slides and tube slides. Among The Edge’s unique attractions is its Vortex Pool, which offers a disorienting variable speed current. Other attractions include the Giant Lava Hot Springs spa, and the Paradise Playground interactive water play center.
For more information: https://www.duluthwaterpark.com/waterpark/
 Paul Bunyan Indoor Water Park
Arrowwood Lodge Brainerd, Minnesota
High technology is the theme of the Paul Bunyan Indoor Water Park. Located within the 100-room Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, the park’s main attraction is its tube slide that features an array of holographic images, video and sound effects. Made from a clear acrylic material, riders on the slide can view sun shining over the structure in summer and snow falling in the dead of winter. The 30,000 square-foot park also has a lazy river and a zero-entry pool with an interactive, aquatic tree house play area.
For more information: https://arrowwoodbrainerdlodge.com/activities/waterpark/
 OUTDOOR WATER PARKS
 Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center
Apple Valley, Minnesota
Drop slides, tube slides, a lazy river and swimming pool are featured in this community waterpark.
For more information: https://www.ci.apple-valley.mn.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/37
 Battle Creek Waterworks
Battle Creek Regional Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Families will enjoy a shallow water pool with interactive water play equipment, separate activity pool with lily pad walk and swim area, and a three-story twisting waterslide with plunge area. They also offer a children’s hands-on sand play area and adults the chance to relax and sun bathe on the deck or lawn areas.
For more information: https://parks.co.ramsey.mn.us/parks/Pages/waterworks0505-1465.aspx
 Bunker Beach
Bunker Hills Regional Park, Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Bunker Beach is 8.5 acres of fun and is Minnesota’s largest outdoor waterpark. Included are a wave pool generating 3-foot waves; six waterslides (four tube, two body slides); an adventure pool for children of all ages; a 900-foot lazy river winds that around the big island; two 10-foot Aqua Climb walls and two water basketball hoops; a wiggly water walk that requires you to balance, walking across the pool on lily pads, while hanging on to a suspended cargo net; sand play area; and a sand volleyball court.
For more information: http:/www.bunkerbeach.com/
Cascade Bay
Eagan, Minnesota
Cascade Bay is the largest outdoor municipal waterpark in the Upper Midwest, featuring plenty of family fun at an incredibly affordable price. Whether it’s tumbling down Twin Falls, braving the Typhoon and Hurricane water slides or floating around the Lazy River as you rumble through its Rocky Rapids, you’ll quickly discover that when it comes to water parks, Cascade Bay it the place to play! There is a nine-hole mini-gold course located next to the waterpark.
For more information: https://www.cityofeagan.com/index.php/cascade-bay
 Como Park Regional Pool
Como Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota
This completely new water park in St. Paul features a lap pool, a diving pool, a wading pool with small slides, a climbing wall and a Lazy River you can float down on inflatable doughnuts. And an added bonus is its proximity to the Como Park Zoo and Como Park.
For more information: https://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=2664
Highland Park Aquatic Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota
This aquatic center features a 50-meter, 8-lane lap pool; a children’s activity pool; prehistoric whale bone splash pad; aquatic climbing wall; two drop slides, and a two-story water slide
For more information: https://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?nid=2665
 Jim Lupient Water Park
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Jim Lupient Water Park features three large water slides and a tube slide (must be 42” or taller), log water walk, interactive spray features, lap swimming lanes, and zero depth entry at one end for accessibility. The park theme is a rock quarry and features items designed to look like a quarry by incorporating stone, foam play quarry equipment and foam logs. There is also a separate spray pool for the younger kids that is completely accessible, as well as colorful shade structures, outside shower towers, lots of seating, a grassy sun-bathing area and concessions. Covered shelters with seating for 15 people are available for reservation and are completely accessible.
For more information: https://minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=364
 North Commons Water Park
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The water park features three-story tall speed and loop water slides. A shallow playground pool with geysers and gadgets is perfect for young children to splash in safely. ”Funbrellas” provide areas to escape the sun and stay cool on hot summer days. A picnic area, concession stand, water fountains and restrooms ensure that kids and families enjoy a full day of summer fun in comfort.
For more information: https://minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=365
 Shoreview Community Center
Shoreview, Minnesota
Come experience this tropical themed waterpark with activities designed for all ages. Enjoy Shipwreck Beach, a zero-depth play area that features a shipwreck boat slide, interactive splashing palm tree and challenging and fun water walk. In the main pool, play water volleyball,  slam-dunk a basketball or climb aboard one of the giant floating sea creatures that provides hours of family fun. Riders of the three-story “Shark Attack” waterslide will be able to experience a one-of-a-kind jukebox system.  Riders will be able to choose from over 100 songs and enjoy a custom light and music show while they twist and turn down the thrilling slide. Adults can escape from the bustle of the waterpark and relax in an adult-only whirlpool and on a patio area.
For more information: https://www.shoreviewcommunitycenter.com/waterpark
Soak City Waterpark
Valley Fair, Shakopee, Minnesota
Soak City Waterpark is included with admission to Valleyfair amusement park. In 2009, the name Whitewater Country was retired and the park was renamed Soak City and expanded with the addition of the Breakers Bay wave pool. The newly expanded three and half acre Soak City waterpark features body slides, speed slides, a four-person family raft ride and interactive water play area. Besides the new wave pool, the park’s largest attraction is Hurricane Falls, a 70-foot tall, four-person family raft ride.
For more information: https://www.valleyfair.com/things-to-do/soak-city-waterpark
St. Louis Park Outdoor Aquatic Park
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Features water playground with geysers and splash toys; 25-meter lap pool; two drop slides; two winding water slides that are nearly four-stories high; wet sand playground; and aqua obstacle course.
For more information:  https://www.stlouispark.org/aquatic-park.html
Wild Mountain
Taylors Falls, Minnesota
Family fun fills the day at Wild Mountain’s outdoor waterpark. Water activities include four waterslides, a lazy river and Wild Adventure Island. Also at the park you’ll find one of only two Alpine Slides in Minnesota, Formula K Go-Karts and Junior Go-Karts for the youngest drivers.
For more information: https://www.wildmountain.com/