- by Erin Huiatt
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Indoor Water Parks Near Des Moines, Iowa
We love a fun getaway, and what better place to stay than somewhere with an indoor water park? There are many great options across the Midwest for older kids and small children. Whether it is freezing cold outside and you have the urge to swim or if it is steamy and rainy, here is a list of the best indoor water parks near Des Moines, Iowa for a weekend getaway.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check Groupon before you book to save money on your stay!
- Looking to stay in Des Moines? Take a look at Family Indoor Swimming in Des Moines.
- Before heading to the pool make sure your child knows swim safety! Take a look at options for Swim Lessons in Des Moines.
Adventureland Inn
3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona, Iowa
515-265-7321
Adventureland Inn features two indoor courtyards! The West Courtyard features a 5-foot swimming pool and a hot tub. The East Courtyard features an interactive shallow pool for children with water features including a rain tree, tipping buckets, and their famous frog water slide. The perfect place for younger kids to splash and play. This courtyard also includes a 25-person hot tub as well as an all-ages pool featuring the only indoor, swim-up bar in Iowa.
Boji Splash Waterpark
630 Linden Drive, Arnolds Park, Iowa
712-332-2202
3 hours and 20 minutes from the Des Moines area
Boji Splash Waterpark offers an all-ages tube slide, lazy river, and more. The kids will have super fun playing on the pirate ship with water cannons as well. Many think of Okoboji, Iowa as a summer destination but this is the perfect destination for a family getaway open all year round. During the Summer months, families can enjoy the outdoor pool and swim-up bar.
Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark
350 Bell Street Dubuque, Iowa
563-690-4000
3 hours and 10 minutes from the Des Moines area
An entire fun 25,000 square feet water playground, slides, pool, arcade, and zero-entry spray area for younger children. Hotel guests have access to the waterpark with their overnight stay, but they also offer day passes to the public. If you live in the area plan a day swimming and playing at the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark. Check their website for waterpark hours. The whole family will love exploring everything Dubuque, Iowa has to offer and this is a great place to stay while in town.
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wold Lodge Minnesota
1700 American Blvd. E. Bloomington, Minnesota
844-561-9653
3 hours and 35 minutes from the Des Moines area
Great Wolf Lodge Kansas
10401 Cabela Dr. Kansas City, Kansas
800-608-9653
3 hours and 45 minutes from the Des Moines area
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois
1700 Nations Dr, Gurnee, Illinoisis
847-623-9653
5 hours and 27 minutes from the Des Moines area
Great Wolf Lodges are massive indoor water parks and are an entire theme park under one roof! You can enjoy water slides and a wave pool. lazy river, fun water playground, arcades, rock climbing, and other attractions for the entire family. Children of all ages will love all the water fun and family suites. We loved our experience at Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota. It definitely is a family favorite!
Honey Creek Resort
12633 Resort Drive, Moravia, Iowa
641-724-9100
1 hour 45 minutes from the Des Moines area
Zoom down the two-story water slide, float down the lazy river, relax poolside, and soak in the hot tub at Honey Creek Resort. Buccaneer Bay also features a snack bar and arcade. We have had tons of fun playing and splashing at Honey Creek Resort during Spring Break, Before booking make sure you reach out to the resort with your select dates to make sure everything is open.
Kalahari Resort
1305 Kalahari Dr, Baraboo, Wisconsin
877-525-2427
5 hours and 8 minutes from the Des Moines area
Kalahari Resort is Wisconsin’s largest indoor water park! Why not plan a visit to splash and play at one of the best water parks in the Midwest? They offer an outdoor water park, giant water slides, body slides, and more. There are many water activities, but they also have escape rooms, virtual reality, golf courses, bowling, and more.
Liberty Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort – Sleep Inn & Suites
1840 N. Church Road, Liberty, Missouri
816-335-4402
2 hours and 40 minutes from the Des Moines area
Liberty Lagoon Water Park offers a large slide, kiddie pool and spray pad, and more. Perfect for younger children. They also offer day passes for non-hotel guests.
Ramada Tropics & Resort
5000 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa
515-278-0271
Water slides, a pirate ship with small slides, and shooting water for little ones to play. Invite the family and book some hotel rooms for some indoor pool fun at Ramada Tropics & Resort.
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark at Lake Geneva
7020 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
262-249-3400
5 hours and 7 minutes from the Des Moines area
This indoor waterpark (an outdoor waterpark) is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Chicago. Not only does Timber Ridge Lodge offer all the water fun but they have horseback riding, golf courses, hiking, biking, archery, and ski resorts, not far from amazing dining options, and more. Your family will love the 1,300 acres of fun.
Venetian Water Park – Holiday Inn
11801 Fountains Way North, Maple Grove, Minnesota
763-425-3800
3 hours and 50 minutes from the Des Moines area
Rain, snow, or shine, the 25,000-square-foot Venetian Indoor Waterpark provides a Mediterranean-style weatherproof retreat. You do not need to reply in good weather. Take a break from Mother Nature’s unpredictable weather and enjoy this indoor waterpark for your next family vacation. Include (2) four-story waterslides, the Bambini Piscina, the toddler and young children’s pool area with zero entry level, a basketball hoop, and an arcade for kids of all ages. Adults will have so much fun in the 20-person spa!
Wilderness Resort
511 E Adams Street, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
800-867-9453
5 hours from the Des Moines area
Wilderness Resort is filled with hours of indoor and outdoor fun and is the grandest water park hotel. They offer four indoor and four outdoor waterparks along with restaurants, mini-golf, zipline, rope courses, a tall climbing wall, and zero entry pool perfect for little kids, make sure you purchase your arcade card for all the arcade games, race cars and so much more. Wilderness Resort is a great reason to visit the Dells any season. Families will love the outdoor hot tubs in the middle of winter. Take a look at our fun winter vacation at Wilderness Resort.
Wild Woods Waterpark – Holiday Inn
9200 Quaday Avenue, Otsego, Minnesota
763-656-4400
4 hours from the Des Moines area
Step back in time to an old river town and experience the thrill of this 30,000-square-foot water park at Wild Woods Waterpark. Slide down an amazing four-story water slide, including two tube slides and one body slide, or circle the Prospector’s Pan before you make a splash. Cruise down the Lazy River or go one-on-one at the basketball court in the activity pool. For smaller children, Buddy’s Playland offers a zero-depth entry pool with toys and activities for toddlers.
Erin Huiatt
Erin is a reliable resource and stepping stone for women and families to find support and make connections within our community. She wants families to feel confident to reach out and ask for help and advice to get pointed in the right direction. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her two children in tow!
What is the place shown in the top picture
Great Wolf Lodge in Minnesota!