Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a popular tourist destination in the Smoky Mountains. The area is most famous for Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park, but also offers museums, dinner theaters, and music venues.
Pigeon Forge is sandwiched between two larger cities, Sevierville to the north and Gatlinburg to the south. This part of Tennessee has some great outdoor water parks, but what happens when the weather gets too cold for fun in the sun?
Luckily, you can still pack your swim trunks for your next visit to Pigeon Forge. A few great spots let you enjoy water slides and splash pads from the inside.
Best Indoor Water Parks in Pigeon Forge
When traveling with the family, you want to make the experience fun for everyone. Spending time at a water park is an excellent way for parents to kick back and relax while the kids get their wiggles out.
While outdoor water parks are more common in the Pigeon Forge area, there are a few great indoor water parks to check out when the weather gets chilly.
Resort at Governor’s Crossing
225 Collier Drive
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862
The Resort at Governor’s Crossing offers guests a fun, low-key water park that’s great for younger kids. The water park boasts attractions like:
- High-speed slides: The park includes two high-speed slides, with a height minimum of 36”
- Hot tub: The park’s indoor hot tub fits up to 20 people
- Sauna: The resort’s Finnish sauna provides quality relaxation
- Swim jets: the pool’s swim jets create family fun and offer a good workout
- Toddler zone: Perfect for the littlest family members, the splash and play zone offers shallow waters, sprinklers, and a small play feature.
- Water basketball: The main pool’s water basketball hoop is a great way for friends and family to play together.
- Water umbrella: The kiddie pool offers a water umbrella that creates a constant shower for kids
- Zero-entry pool: The zero-entry kiddie pool gradually slopes, making it easy for guests to wade right in
The family friendly-resort also includes a seasonal outdoor water park with plenty of play areas for kids, a lazy river, an 80-foot water slide, and an outdoor hot tub. Other activities offered at the resort include:
- A seasonal butterfly exhibit
- Mini Golf
- Playgrounds
- Scheduled kids activities
- Arcades
- Fitness center
Admission to the water park is only available for resort guests.
Wild Bear Falls Water Park
915 Westgate Resorts Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
The Wild Bear Falls Water Park is just a twelve-minute drive south of Pigeon Forge. The park features a retractable roof, allowing an open sky in summer weather, and a closed roof to keep the heat in when it’s cold. The water park includes activities, each named after area attractions, like:
- Cades Cove: A 900-foot-long lazy river that you can ride solo or with the family
- Clingman’s Dome: A 350-foot-long tube slide with a height requirement of 48”
- Grotto Falls: The resort’s indoor hot tub
- Laurel Falls: A 300-foot long twisting, turning water slide with a 48” height requirement
- Little Pigeon River: A zero-depth splash pad for the littlest guests
- Moonshine Hollow: An indoor/outdoor spa hot tub
- Ramsey Cascades: A shallow pool that includes a dumping bucket and play area
- Swimming hole: A pool ranging in depth from three and a half feet to four and a half feet
Wild Bear Falls is part of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort. The resort also offers:
- Multiple dining options
- Heated outdoor pools
- An on-site spa
- Fitness center
- Ziplining
- Mini Golf
Wild Waterdome Indoor Water Park
1424 Old Knoxville Hwy
Sevierville, TN 37876
Wild Waterdome Indoor Water Park is Tennessee’s largest indoor water park, spanning 66,000 square feet about a twenty-minute drive outside Pigeon Forge. The see-through roof allows guests and plants to bask in the sun all year. The park features:
- Runaway Canyon: A 450-feet long, five-foot-tall raft ride containing water curtains, tunnels, twists, and turns. Minimum height requirement of 42” with an adult or 48” alone.
- Smokies Surf Rider: An indoor body surfing ride that creates five-foot-tall waves. The minimum height is 42”, and a signed waiver is required for all riders.
- Storm Chaser: A wild water slide with a 55-foot drop and zero gravity fall. Minimum height requirement of 48”.
- Trail Twisters: A twisting tube slide for adults and kids alike. 42” minimum height for kids riding with adults, 48” for those riding alone.
- Washout Mountain: Perfect for younger kids, this play feature offers a splash pad, tipping bucket, water cannons, and a multi-story water playground.
Wild Waterdome is a part of the Wilderness at the Smokies resort, but you are not required to stay at the resort to purchase passes to the water park. The resort spans two different lodges and villas and contains multiple restaurants. Other attractions include:
- Two outdoor water parks
- Ropes course
- Rock climbing wall
- Mini Golf
- Laser tag
- Bowling
If you’re going just for the day, it’s recommended that you purchase your water park tickets in advance. Some days may be blacked out. Water park passes will come with your reservation if you’re staying at the resort.
Wrapping Up
While there aren’t many indoor water parks near Pigeon Forge, the available options are excellent. Kids will have a blast in whichever option you choose. Planning a water park stop for your Pigeon Forge plans will make for an unforgettable family vacation.
Do your waterpark adventures take you all across the United States? If so, check out a few of the best indoor waterparks near New York, and don’t miss out on a splash-filled day at New Jersey’s Hurricane Harbor!
More about our TFVG Author
A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.
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- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
