If you live anywhere near the Pennsylvania Poconos, then at some point you may have been left with that feeling of FOMO (you know, the fear of missing out) from all the indoor water park photos circulating on social media. As a parent, you know the years with your children are fleeting, and there’s no better weekend trip than to one of the many water parks in Pennsylvania Poconos to make memories with your kiddos.
If you don’t think you’re a waterpark person, I have news for you – you just haven’t been to the best indoor waterparks in the Poconos. They’re made for families, so they’ve thought of all the creature comforts when designing these magnificent waterparks.
Many of these waterparks and resorts offer a day pass if you’re local and just want to take advantage of having the best water parks on the East Coast at your fingertips.
Indoor Water Parks in Pennsylvania Poconos
Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
If you’re looking for an indoor water park that’s sure to please everyone in the family, look no further than Aquatopia Indoor Water Park. Located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, Aquatopia features over 130,000 square feet of water-filled fun. From tube slides to body slides, a lazy river, and splash areas for toddlers, Aquatopia is the kind of indoor waterpark that the entire family can enjoy.
By far the largest indoor water park, you can see why Aquatopia at Camelback Lodge has won so many awards. The main attraction is the water slides, but the lazy river, hot tubs, and indoor wave pool are fantastic. The variety of water features and slides at Aquatopia makes it a perfect place to play as a family. The whole family (up to 6 people) can pack into a raft and travel down the Venus Slide Trap and both the Mountain Mayhem Slide and Constrictor are thrilling for family members of all ages.
Kartrite’s Quest is an activity pool filled with water slides, interactive water activities, and an obstacle course adjacent to the toddler play area. If you’re traveling to Aquatopia with small children, this would be the best place to “set up camp” for the day. Better yet, you can rent one of their private cabanas next to these areas for a home base for the day. While Kartrite’s Quest is built for the younger crowd, I have a few teenagers (3 to be exact) who give it their stamp of approval. While they may be kiddie slides, it turns out some kids aren’t ready to grow up and we’re okay with that.
Next to Kartrite’s Quest is a small toddler area with cute little slides and splashing fountains for the youngest swimmers to get their feet wet.
When we visited Aquatopia, my only regret was only staying for one night. There’s so much to do there that you could absolutely make a weekend out of your stay at Camelback Resort. An overnight stay is just not enough.
In addition to the waterpark area, there are also lots of restaurants on-site as well as arcade games, mini-bowling, a small climbing wall, gem mining, and of course, there’s the mountain coaster when in season, too.
Kalahari Water Park Pocono Mountains
Kalahari Resort is another great option in the Pocono Mountains area for indoor water fun. This African-themed park features over 220,000 square feet of wet and wild fun making it America’s largest indoor waterpark. With tube slides, body slides, pools, and a lazy river, there’s something for everyone no matter your thrill level. Some of the popular water attractions at Kalahari include FlowRider, a surfing simulator, and the Anaconda, a high-speed family raft-style ride with lots of twists and turns.
There’s a swim-up bar for the grown-ups – make that two swim-up bars, so you don’t have to be a water lover to enjoy yourself at this indoor water park resort.
Kalahari’s indoor pool area features a retractable roof design which allows for fresh air and sun in the warmer months. In the summer months, Kalahari also has an outdoor pool that’s open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and is included in the price of your stay at Kalahari.
In addition to the waterparks, Kalahari also has its share of arcades, mini-golf, and mini-bowling, plus there’s also an Escape Room.
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Pocono Mountains
Great Wolf Lodge Resort in the Poconos is a family-friendly destination that offers a unique combination of entertainment, relaxation, and adventure. One of the highlights of the resort is its indoor waterpark, which covers an area of over 79,000 square feet and features a range of attractions for all ages. Guests can ride down the thrilling water slides, float along the lazy river, or splash around in the wave pool. There are also dedicated areas for younger children, such as the Cub Paw Pool and the Slap Tail Pond.
For those looking for a bit more relaxation, there are several hot tubs and a heated outdoor pool. The waterpark is open year-round, making it a perfect destination for families looking for a fun-filled vacation no matter the season. With a range of other amenities such as mini-golf, an arcade, and a spa, Great Wolf Lodge Resort in the Poconos truly has something for everyone.
H2Ooooooh at Split Rock Resort
If you’re looking for an indoor water park that’s a little more low-key, check out H2Oooohh! Indoor Water Park at Split Rock Resort. This smaller water park is perfect for families with young children. H20ooohh! has three four-story slides, a wave pool, a kids’ activity pool, a jungle-themed play structure with a dumping bucket, and lily pads for kids to cross. Covering approximately 53,000 square feet, it’s a great place to spend the day if you’re swimming with kids under 12.
Split Rock Resort’s indoor waterpark is open year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy a summer-like experience in any season. With a range of other amenities such as mini-golf, bowling, and a movie theater, Split Rock Resort offers endless entertainment for all ages.
Outdoor Waterparks
Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark
Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark is the largest outdoor waterpark in Pennsylvania. With more than 37 water attractions, you won’t run out of things to do at this outdoor waterpark. From thrilling raft slides to a wave pool, plus an all-new slide added for 2023, Rival Racer, there’s tons of fun for everyone. There are also plenty of shaded areas and seating so you can take a break when needed.
Camelbeach waterpark offers day passes or reasonably priced season passes for families who live near the Pocono mountain area. No outside food is permitted with the exception of baby food and one 20 oz. bottle of water per person. All bags are inspected upon entrance, so be sure to leave your coolers at home. There are lots of great snacks and meal items available all throughout Camelback Mountain resort, so you definitely won’t go hungry.
Costa’s Family Fun Park Waterslides
When in the Poconos area and close to Lake Wallenpaupack, Costa’s Family Fun Park’s water slides are a perfect activity to enjoy on a hot summer afternoon. The water slides are available for visitors from noon during the peak summer season, and their operation is subject to weather conditions.
