There aren’t a lot of water parks in Tennessee, but the ones whose doors are open for locals and visiting guests are well-rated waterparks.
Ready to cool off? Pick from these six fun-filled Tennessee waterparks…
6 Must-Visit Water Parks in Tennessee
There are several smaller water parks around the state, all of which do not offer free admissions. So if you’re going to shell out money, I recommend you might as well visit a park that would make your day a memorable one.
1. Dollywood’s Splash Country
- Location: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Fees: Starts at $44.95 for 1-day ticket for the water park (two-park ticket bundles and multi-day tickets also available here)
- Guest Info: Open only seasonally (in the summer)
Dollywood’s Splash Country is a 35-acre water park that is located inside Dolly Parton’s famous Dollywood theme park.
Aside from the 25,000-square-foot wave pool, Dollywood’s waterpark also has a an 8000-foot lazy river.
The pools at the Pigeon Force-located water park was designed for both adults and kids. Younger kids have their own section too.
Dollywood Splash Country is massive, but the park doesn’t just impress for its size. It also boasts a one-of-its-kind water-coaster RiverRush and SwiftWater Run that takes riders through a scream-inducing sorkscrew tunnel.
Another popular one is the Fire Tower Falls – a vertical high-speed slide that thrill-seekers would surely love.
2. Wilderness at the Smokies
- Location: 1424 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
- Fees: $17.99 general public or $12.99 for Wilderness guests
- Guest Info: Indoor waterpark open year-round, two outdoor waterparks (called Lake Wilderness and Salamander Springs) are open seasonally
Wilderness at the Smokies is an indoor park owned by the Wilderness resort chain. It’s a year-round waterpark that features a see-through roof, Tennessee’s only body-surfing simulator wave pool, and 207-foot tube waterslide.
Some notable rides at Wilderness at the Smokies include the Storm Chaser (a funnel-type ride), Wild Vortex (a water slide with a launch chamber) and the Wild WaterDome ride that plummets riders down a dark tunnel.
Younger kids will have fun at the Treehouse Springs with zero-depth wading pool, jets, tiny dump buckets, bubblers, sprinkers, and geysers are featured.
Wilderness at the Smokies also has a hot spa, indoor raft ride, multilevel water play area called Washout Mountain, and a 10,000-square-foot wave pool.
3. Soaky Mountain Waterpark
- Location: 175 Gists Creek Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876
- Fees: $34.99 to $39.99 per ticket for 1-day general admission tickets. Group discounts and 2-day passes available here.
- Guest Info: Many rides have weight and height limits – prepare to be measured/weighed before riding.
Owned by the same company that owns Wilderness at the Smokies Resort, the Soaky Mountain Waterpark is the newest of these six water parks in Tennessee. It only opened its doors in 2020.
Located in Sevierville, the outdoor waterpark is making “waves” for showcasing a first-of-its-kind watercoaster. Called the Avalaunch, this ride boasts of stomach-turning twists and thrills with four flying saucers that drop and dive into the water.
Other notable features at Soaky Mountain Waterpark include its 35,000-square foot wave pool called Soaky Surge, the raft rides Hang 10essee and 24,000 Black Bear Rapids.
Aside from the kiddie-sized pools all over the park, younger kids could also head to The Hive, a bee-themed play area designed exclusively for them.
4. Wild Bear Falls Water Park (at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort)
- Location: 915 Westgate Resorts Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Fees: $29.95 +tax for single-Day Admission.
- Guest Info: Even if you stay at the resort, you still need to purchase tickets.
Wild Bear Falls water park is a medium-sized, indoor waterpark located inside the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
There are a few things that make Wild Bear Falls pretty special.
First, during summer months, the resort opens up the retractable roof so guests could enjoy the warmth of the sun. Once colder months arrive, the resort shuts it back up to keep the climate-controlled area heated and swimmable even in the winter.
The 60,000-square foot waterpark features a huge lazy river, a large swimming area open for all ages, water slides, and splash areas for kiddies. For a bit of privacy, you can also soak in one of the many indoor or outdoor hot tubs.
As part of a hotel, there are also plenty of things to do in dry land. So if your family is done swimming at Wild Bear Falls, there is a zipline, mini-golf and other things to do around the resort.
5. Wetlands Waterpark
- Location: 1523 Persimmon Ridge Rd, Jonesborough, TN 37659
- Fees: Starting $10 for kids 4-12 years old to $12 for adults. Kids 3 and under swim free. Half-priced after 3pm. Season passes available here.
- Guest Info: Swim lessons and event rentals are available at the park, Open from 10AM to 6PM
Wetlands Water Park is a municipal outdoor waterpark, which means the area may be small, but the tickets are usually lower-priced and family-friendly.
Located in Jonesborough, Wetlands Water Park features 3 fiberglass slides for serious waterpark fans: a 200-foot flume, an 80-foot enclosed flume, and a 100-foot flume.
There is also a lazy river, a zero-depth wading pool, multiple slides (for adults and younger kids), a regular open pool, and sand volleyball courts if you’d like to take a break from the water.
Wetlands Water Park’s main pool is divided nicely – it’s 1 part lazy river, 1 part that goes six-feet deep, and the shallow end that connects to the splash areas for younger guests.
There are 3 large slides for adults – all have minimum 48″ height requirements. Two smaller slides are designed for smaller/younger guests.
The Wetlands Water Park have well-maintained facilities and clean pools. There’s a lifeguard on duty and plenty of lounge chairs available for parents on the lookout. There is also a café on site.
6. Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort
- Location: 4001 Bell Rd, Hermitage, TN 37076
- Fees: $49.99 per person for 1-day ticket, additional fees for entry to the Treetop Adventure Park
- Guest Info: The waterpark is open from 10am to 6pm. There are 24 lakeside cabins, 8 hillside cabines and space for RV sites if you wish to stay at the resort.
Nashville Shores is quite a unique waterpark because it is located just beside Percy Priest Lake and its sister theme park, Treetop Adventure Park.
The massive waterpark has plenty of rides for all ages. From the wave pool and lazy river to 8 unique water slides Nashville Shores will keep both adults and teens busy.
The Barefootin’ Bay is the children’s play space designed with over 35 interactive water features, such as geysers, tipping buckets, spray toys and baby slides.
Kowabunga Beach was designed as a four-story water treehouse with more than 70 different water spray features.
Those staying in Nashville Shores for the weekend (or longer) could maximize their stay with a combo ticket to Treetop Adventure Park (TAP), so they’ll able to join a bunch of land-based activities when they’re done swimming. TAP also features over 100 obstacle courses, cool suspended bridges, zip lines and Tarzan swings.
Beyond the water parks in Tennessee
If you’re spending a couple of days in Tennessee and wanted to check out other cool places, I recommend you take a look at my posts about:
- Gem mining in Tennessee
- Creepily cool ghost towns in Tennessee
- Cave exploring in Tennessee
- Gorgeous waterfalls of Tennessee (hiking might be required)
- 7 Awesome lake destinations around Tennessee
Want to camp out? Here are 10 best spots where you can camp and enjoy Tennessee’s natural beauty.
And if you’re touring without young kids, maybe you’d enjoy a relaxing – and educational – Tennessee whiskey trail.
