Best Water Parks

 

Summer is six weeks away, and the temperatures in Tennessee are projected to be even hotter than usual. The good news is that Middle Tennessee is home to several fantastic water parks, which are ideal for staying active and beating the heat simultaneously.

 

These cooling aquatic sanctuaries also allow you and your loved ones to stay social and pursue healthy activities even during this summer’s most sweltering days. Dive into plunge pools, scream down enormous water slides, relax on a lazy river, and connect with your children on splash pads and in shallow pools.

 

Lifeguards will be on standby, but any children who cannot swim will be prohibited from entering pools and using water slides. Please visit the websites for each venue (included herein) to find the best getaway for non-swimmers.

 

When the heat strikes, you’ll be prepared to beat it! Pack a bag with your favorite swimwear, and high-SPF sunblock, and hit the road headed for a long day of aquatic escapades and the opportunity to make amazing memories.

 

Intrigued? Then read on for our picks for Middle Tennessee’s top water parks of 2024.

 

As the largest water park in the region, Nashville Shores is famous for its myriad of attractions and proximity to downtown Nashville. Experience ten water slides, a beautiful sandy beach, a rolling wave pool, several swimming pools, a meandering lazy river, gentle and safe spots for young children, and a fantastical Aqua Park directly on the lake!

 

While outside food and drinks are not permitted, five concession stands serve up ice-cold drinks and carnival-style meals.

 

As one of Middle Tennessee’s most popular water parks, Nashville Shores is usually packed with locals and tourists. If crowds are not your speed, you may wish to arrive early or choose a weekday for your visit. Hundreds of water park-goers will spend their weekends here, so parking, lockers, and concessions will all be hot commodities—nearly as scorching as the pavement! Bring full-coverage, temperature-safe water shoes, and make sure your children keep them on at all times.

 

 

We all know and love Dolly Parton, so it’s no surprise that Dollywood’s Splash Country, located next to her world-famous Dollywood theme park, is a local legend. Whether you want to lounge in luxury poolside or chase high-speed thrills, you will find just what you are looking for here!

 

Bring the whole gang for a competitive race on TailSpin Racer, roll down the Raging River Rapids, ride the Mountain Waves on an inner tube, and send your children down Little Creek Falls to get drenched!

 

Dollywood’s Splash Country can’t be beaten: almost two dozen thrilling aquatic attractions await! Ride a raft down the massive Big Bear Plunge, hug the curves on the Mountain Scream body slide, and snap photos of your kids as they explore the interactive splash playgrounds.

 

One thing’s for sure: you’re going to love how sparkling clean this water park is. The staff is just as lovely as the staff at Dollywood Theme Park, and there are comfy seats in the sun and the shade. Lockers are available if you want to store your belongings during your stay.

 

As you know, ride lines will be long; keep applying that SPF to you and yours to keep your skin healthy while waiting.

 

Wave Country invites you to enjoy speed slides, a children’s slide, water flumes, a rolling wave pool, and a kiddie pool with a splash playground and many interactive water features. Children taller than 48” are invited to participate in the flume and speed slides, while children shorter than 48” will remain in the safety zone. “Talls” will not be able to play in the “smalls” area.

Wave Country offers large umbrellas on a first-come, first-served basis, but because demand inevitably outpaces supply, we recommend bringing your own chairs and shade popups. Wave Country’s concession stands are always open, but feel free to pack your own delicious picnic because outside food and drinks are also A-OK!

 

Welcome to Boro Beach, a delightful destination for affordable and memorable water adventures! Plunge down two towering slides into deep, refreshing waters, then ride the waves to shore. Jump back in line to go again! Conquer the challenges of the climbing wall, pad across the floating bridge, then kick back and refuel with on-site concessions.

 

If massive water parks give you a major case of FOMO, this park is perfect for you. It’s large enough to keep you entertained for the day, but you’ll be sure to have time to visit every attraction at least once. Bring your children to play on the beach and explore the kids’ playground!

 

SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville offers a unique upscale resort water attraction experience, blending indoor and outdoor environments for maximum entertainment. This innovative attraction features a variety of rides and activities for visitors of all ages, all situated in a fully modern and luxurious setting.

 

Indoors, you’ll encounter a jaw-dropping 111,000 square feet of upscale water attractions and activities, all open year-round and comfortable at 84 degrees. Attractions include Rapid Remix™, a thrilling raft ride with vortex loops and LED lights; Stage Dive™, an exciting body sliding adventure; and Record Launch™, offering both a tubing bowl and swirling serpentine water ride options.

 

Other indoor attractions include the Crowd Surfer double FlowRider®, the Up-Tempo Rapids River, the Down-Tempo Lazy River, the Groovin' Lagoon Activity Pool, the Quarter Note Cove splash pad for young children, and the Half Note Cove soaring, multi-level play structure.

 

For outdoor fun, head out to scream your way down the Beat Drop near-vertical tunnel slide, the Bass Drop high-speed body ride, and the Rock'N Racer competitive slide. Be sure to check out the Rising Stars Stage play structure and the Tidal Track Wave Pool with regular waves and a giant LED entertainment screen.

 

If your party consists of all adults, you are invited to relax at the Diamond Pool, an exclusive area for ages 18 and up.

 

Max out the luxe factor by renting a private cabana, available both indoors and outdoors.

 

Spanning 10,000 square feet, the Brentwood Splash Park, located within the Indoor Sports Complex in Brentwood, is a refreshing escape from the scorching summer heat. This interactive venue caters primarily to young children but promises an enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.

 

The park features four slides, each offering a unique ride experience. Two double-loop slides corkscrew and turn, providing an exhilarating descent into refreshing sprays. The single loop slide offers a more straightforward swoop, while the straight slide builds momentum uninterrupted, making it a speedy chute right into the water.

 

The park also offers ground and ring sprays that draw you in with playful, refreshing water jets. An impressive 27-foot rain curtain cascades down to the splash pad, adding to the park's adventurous ambiance.

 

Brentwood Splash Park’s crowning centerpiece is its massive 100-gallon dump bucket, positioned high above four elevated platforms with sprays ready to drench delighted children below.

 

For those seeking relief from the sun, numerous amply shaded areas are available where visitors can relax and set up chairs, beach towels, or shade tents. Brentwood Splash Park provides a well-rounded, entertaining, and engaging water play experience, perfect for staying cool despite the rising mercury.

 

Wild WaterDome is a great, family-friendly destination full of fun activities for children of all ages. The WaterDome was revamped in recent years, so if you haven’t floated through the new lazy river, zoomed down the water slide, or recharged your sense of serenity in the hot tub, you must spend a day here!

 

If you need a break from the water, head over to the enormous arcade. This all-in-one entertainment park will keep your family engaged for as long as you can stay.

 

While parking might be challenging, the shuttle bus service helps alleviate this issue, dropping visitors off at the door. The park's amenities cater to children under 3 with a play area just for littles, and kids up to age 9 will love the play structure intended for older children. The wave beach, lazy river, outdoor pool, and hot tub area complete the park’s mission to offer something for everyone!

 

Franklin Splash Park, located beside the outdoor pool of Franklin Recreation Complex, offers a fun and affordable water play experience for the whole family. With a whopping 28 features, including misters, slides, and geysers, there are always plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.

 

Admission to the pools and splash park is only a few dollars, making it an incredibly affordable alternative to building and maintaining your own pool! Furthermore, the park features a giant bucket and water cannon, ensuring your children will get drenched and have a blast.

 

Admission prices are $4 for ages 18 to 54, $2 for kids 4 to 17 and seniors, and free for kids 3 and younger. Whether you're looking to cool off or just have some fun in the water, Franklin Splash Park is a fantastic destination for all ages.

 

NOOGA Splash at Chester Frost Park in Chattanooga is one of Tennessee’s newest and most exciting aqua parks, offering a thrilling experience for the whole family. This inflatable obstacle course is situated on the Tennessee River and features 31 inflatable pieces for hours of heart-racing fun!

 

To ensure safety, participants must be at least 45 inches tall and capable swimmers to access the Big Splash area. A Kiddie Splash area is available for younger children under 45 inches tall. Please note that the Kiddie Splash zone requires an adult to provide hands-on supervision at all times.

 

NOOGA Splash is conveniently located near Chattanooga's best beach, picnicking areas, a campground, and hiking trails. Free parking is available, and guests can also pick up snacks, drinks, and beach gear at the beachfront concession stand.

 

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is a premier family destination in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, though it is most famous for its spectacular Wild Bear Falls indoor water park. Spanning over 60,000 square feet, Wild Bear Falls offers a thrilling interactive experience for visitors of all ages.

 

The water park boasts a bevy of exciting attractions, including thrilling waterslides like the enclosed body slide Laurel Falls and the more leisurely float along the Cades Cove lazy river. Children will be thrilled by the Ramsey Cascades Treehouse water play features, while younger visitors will love the Little Pigeon River toddler playground.

 

Note that children of all ages can enjoy the lazy river, baby kiddie pool, and bigger kid pool. The impressive pool extends both indoors and outdoors, providing a delightfully unique experience for swimmers of all levels.

 

Adults can unwind in the hot tubs, which are available indoors and outdoors. The water park also offers ample seating and tables on both levels, ensuring families have a comfortable space to relax. The park provides towels exclusively for use within the water park, and the staff keeps the park impressively clean and tidy.

 

Whether you love the heat or not, we can all agree that summers in Tennessee can be just a bit too sweltering at some point. Fortunately, we don’t have to suffer in the sun to have a wonderful time outdoors! Head out to any of these top-rated water parks and transform those unpleasant scorchers into screaming summer adventures.