Family Vacations: 21 Best Water Parks in Pennsylvania

When Pennsylvania residents and visitors want to splash and get wet, they have an enormous choice of amusement parks, regardless of the season. From parks like Great Wolf Lodge where you can combine scenic hiking in the Pocono Mountains, to indoor waterparks that keep the temperatures in the balmy summer range, fun in the water is possible even when it is snowing outside. Here are the best water parks in PA which make a perfect weekend getaway from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Gettysburg and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Photo: Gennadiy Poznyakov/Fotolia

It always comes as a surprise to the visitors to discover a huge all-season waterpark in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Great Wolf Lodge is a wonderful family-oriented resort located less than 11 miles from the Sherman Theater. It offers a range of activities for the whole family, but its waterpark is its crown jewel and is one of the best PA water parks.

The 84-degree indoor water park has such thrilling features as the Howlin' Tornado slides, the Hydro Plunge water coaster, activity pools, zero-depth-playgrounds for the little ones such as Cub Paw Pool and so much more. Famous Slideboarding is unique to the Great Wolf Lodge. The lodge has rustic suites for all budgets and tastes, many with living areas, fridges and microwaves or fireplaces and whirlpool baths. There are four restaurants, mini-golf, a gym, Starbucks and a bar forwhen the kids finally get exhausted from all the splashing and parents get some time to themselves. Contact: 1 Great Wolf Dr, Scotrun, PA 18355, Phone: 800-768-9653 Photo: Great Wolf Lodge Water Park

Less than five miles from Jack Frost Big Boulder Ski Area on the banks of the beautiful Lake Harmony in the majestic Poconos Moutains, Split Rock Resort Indoor Waterpark is perfect for those who would rather watch the snow from a pool than hit the slopes on skis. With 53,326 square feet of fabulous water attractions, the park has something for the whole family: the Komodo Dragon Indoor Flow Rider, fantastic slides such as the Viper and the Piranha, and the incredible Amazon Blast, a slide that drops four stories.

The Lava Springs hot tubs are perfect for those who prefer a more relaxing way to unwind, and the Jungle Falls & Leapin' Lizards are exciting play areas that will keep the little ones entertained for hours. The resort offers luxury lakeside rooms, 2-bedroom suites, villas and cottages, many of which offer kitchens and TVs, and some of which offer fireplaces and balconies. Contact: 100 Moseywood Rd, Lake Harmony, PA 18624, Phone: 570-722-9111 Photo: Split Rock Resort Indoor Waterpark

Kalahari Waterpark is an African themed resort and convention center in the heart of Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. You can enjoy the resort's 100,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark regardless of what mother nature throws at you - there is a retractable roof that keeps you warm and cozy.

There are so many activities for the whole family, from body boarding on the FlowRider, the Swahili Swirl and Anaconda waterslides, slow and easy Lazy River, a family hot tub, the Splashdown Safari for the kids and much more. For full comfort, you can enjoy a private cabana with a flat screen TV, fridge, safe and chaise lounges. Tiko's Watering Hole is there for some refreshments, and if you plan on staying longer, enjoy one of resort's 457 beautifully decorated rooms and suites. Kalahari Waterpark is one of the best indoor water parks in PA. Contact: 250 Kalahari Blvd, Pocono Manor, PA 18349 Photo: Kalahari Waterpark

Voted as one of the best indoor waterparks in the country, Splash Lagoon can keep you busy for days, whether you want to stay wet or dry out in one of many dry land adventures. There are nine water slides, an Aqua Tumbler, the 200,000-gallon Wild Waters Wave Pool, relaxing Lazy River, hot tubs, an interactive 12-level Tree House, a Tree Tops Ropes Course, an Arcade with over 100 games spread over 6,500 square feet, a Treasure Island Arcade and Lazer Tag, and much more.

For those who want to stay longer, there are three luxury hotels: The Residence Inn, The Holiday Inn Express and The Comfort Inn & Suites. Food and fun are also available at Hooch & Blotto's Sports Bar & Grill, The Laguna Grill, The Island Oasis and Tiki Bar. Contact: 8091 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509, Phone: 814-217-1111 Photo: Splash Lagoon

Open during the warmer season, Water Park at Sesame Place is kids' heaven, where everything is designed for them to have fun, get entertained and learn something in the process. The Water Park lets kids, and their parents, splash and swim, slide and jump, and have fun in a huge range of attractions. Sky Splash is a six-story high raft water slide, and before you slide down, you can even see Philadelphia.

Teeny Tiny Tidal Wave is a 10,000-square-foot wave pool Ernie made with his wild garden hose. Slimey's Chutes are two fast spiral tube water slides. There are also three Silly Sand Slides, the 1000-feet long Big Bird's Rambling River, The Count's Splash Castle, Sesame Streak and Slippery Slopes. Contact: 100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA 19047, Phone: 866-464-3566 Photo: Water Park at Sesame Place

Most people go to Camelback Resort to ski - after all, it is one of the best and most popular ski spots in Pennsylvania. But, there is another great reason for a visit - any time of the year. Aquatopia is a spectacular 125,000 square-foot adventure-themed waterpark. This water kingdom offers several level full of fun with balmy 84-degree temperatures to make year-round water adventures possible.

You can even work on your tan - the park is covered by a Texlon Transparent dome, letting the sun warm you up and stars shine at night. Some of the most popular features are Ka-Na-Gawa Wavepool and the Bombora FlowRider. There are 13 adrenaline-pumping waterslides such as the Venus Slydetrap. There is also the Adventure River, several kids' wading pools, interactive Water Play Centers and much more. Contact: 193 Resort Dr, Tannersville, PA 18372, Phone: 570-629-1665, Photo: Aquatopia

The Boardwalk might be the newest addition to the fabulous Hershey Park in Hershey, but is certainly one of the most popular. This fun outdoor waterpark has something for everyone - from hair-rising Tidal Force, the highest water slide in the world, to the slow, relaxing Intercoastal Waterway, every family member can find something fun to do.

Children can spend hours splashing at the Bayside Pier, a shallow wave pool with rolling waves, fountains and tipping cones. The Huge East Coast Waterworks is one ride which has seven slides, two crawl tunnels, and an unbelievable 600 interactive toys, all drenched in 54,000 gallons of water. The Waverider is not for the timid - its speed and twists and turns tests your skills at surfing the waves. Things to Do in Hershey Contact: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, Phone: 844-330-1813 Photo: Boardwalk

What started in 1896 as a lovely park with a dance hall and a carousel is today a popular family park with hundreds of attractions. But, when the weather heats up, everyone heads to Water World. With 19 slides of all thrill levels, parents and kids can have fun together or separately. The tiny tots can splash in the Kidz Zone, or the whole family can slowly glide in an inner tube down the Endless River.

The Heated Relaxing Pool is perfect if you want to relax your tired muscles, or everyone can swim and splash in the Giant Wave Pool with 500,000 gallons of water and enough space for 1,000 people. The Bermuda Triangle features three enclosed slides that all end up together in the splash pool. The Free Fall Slide will let you take a 228' long plunge straight down the tube. Things to Do in Erie Contact: 3100 W Lake Rd, Erie, PA 16505, Phone: 814-838-3591 Photo: Waldameer Park & Water World

Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark is your outdoor waterpark in the stately Camelback Mountains, the biggest waterpark in Pennsylvania and a place where screaming is allowed. And you will scream on one of 37 thrilling rides and slides such as Sandstorm, Dunerunner or Vortex. Ride a six-foot wave in the Kahuna Lagoon or show off your talent and skills on the FlowRider.

The whole family can take a slow 1,000-foot-long journey down the mighty Blue Nile Adventure River past geysers and through waterfalls. The little ones will have great fun at the Mummy's Oasis with its slides, sprinklers and interactive games of antiquities; and the Mummy's revenge involves water cannons, water buckets and geysers. Contact: 309 Resort Dr, Tannersville, PA 18372, Phone: 570-629-1662, Photo: Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark

There is so much to do at Dorney Park, but when you get tired of Dinosaurs Alive and Planet Snoopy and need to cool off, walk over to the wet side of the park, to Wildwater Kingdom. With more than three dozen slides, rivers, pools and play areas, you will have time of your life. If you want to rush 26 feet per seconds down the longest free-fall slide at almost 450-feet, try Python Plummet.

The Constrictor will send you 449 feet down an enclosed chute through four 360-degree loops. Get the family to race on eight-foot rubber rafts down the humpbacked Aqua Racer, or twist and turn through Aquablast, one of the world's longest elevated water slides. There are lovely comfortable cabanas you can rent to rest between the adventures and have a snack and a refreshing drink Contact: 3830 Dorney Park Rd, Allentown, PA 18104, Phone: 610-395-3724 Photo: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

What was once National Portland Cement limestone quarry became a deep 50-acre lake once the factory closed and the quarry filled with clear underground aquafer-fed water. In 1980, it became Dutch Springs, one of the biggest dive operations in the country, taking advantage of perfect visibility and the wonderful surrounding nature of the Lehigh Valley.

Dutch Springs later expanded to include more opportunity for family fun with Aqua Park, Sky Challenge and NorthStar Adventure. Aqua Park is an exciting water obstacle course in which the kids conquer the floating obstacles such as plastic icebergs, which are similar to rock climbing walls, from which the kids can jump or slide down.. Contact: 4733 Hanoverville Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020, Phone: 610-759-2270 Photo: Dutch Springs Aqua Park

Jellystone Park in Quarryville, Pennsylvania is a popular family park set on 63 verdant wooded acres that are bordering a picturesque 100-acre county park, giving everyone plenty of space for all sorts of adventures. If you come during the heat of the summer, you might love to combine traipsing through the woods, hiking and exploring with a cooling splash in the park's Water Park.

There are two heated swimming pools and two hot tubs, one of them reserved for kids, so that they can splash to their heart's content. You can even play basketball and volleyball in one of the pools. Between the pools is a Water Zone, a fun playground with a fort, a kid's slide, a water cannon, water sprays and much more. Mom and dad can just relax in one of the launch chairs around the pool. Contact: 340 Blackburn Rd, Quarryville, PA 17566-9697, Phone: 717-786-3458 Photo: olena/Fotolia

Montage Mountain Resort is well known for its great ski slopes, excellent ski school and many fun events, concerts and festivals. But, in the summer when the snow is just a distant memory, Montage Mountain Water Park is where all the fun is. The whole family can enjoy soft waves in Montage Mountain's huge wave pool.

Alpine Run Waterslides will send you twisting and turning down rushing rapids at breakneck speed towards the whitewaters below. Kids will love Polar Bear Pond, with its fountains and slides. The Tundra Tornado four-person tubes will let you find out how it feels being in the heart of a tornado. Rent a cabana to make your stay even more comfortable. Contact: 1000 Montage Mountain Rd, Scranton, PA 18507, Phone: 800-468-7669 Photo: Water Park at Montage Mountain

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Stretched along the Monongahela River, Sandcastle Water Park is the answer for those who live for summer. Located just outside Pittsburgh, this fun waterpark has something for everyone. Mom and dad can book a cabana and relax while the kids try their first slide at the Tad Pool or Wet Willy Water Works. The Tsunami Wave Pools offer fun for the whole family. Tubers Towers let riders glide down a 400-foot long slide.

True thrill seekers will love the Monster, a free-fall slide that starts 85-feet up to drop 60-feet at the breakneck speeds up to 25 miles per hour into a deep pool. Boardwalk Blasters lets strong swimmers race down 25-foot long slides ending with a seven-foot free fall straight into a 12-foot deep pool. Contact: 1000 Sandcastle Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15120, Phone: 412-462-6666 Photo: katrin_timoff/Fotolia

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What started as the local Idlewild park in 1878 with campgrounds, an artificial lake, a few picnic tables and a big hall is today recognized by Amusement Today as the country's best children's park. Kids will love adventures such as Bigfoot's Mudslide, Alligator Swamp, Bubbling Springs and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, but in the summer, when the sun heats things up, they will want to get wet and head to the Soak Zone. You can start your visit in the huge 280,600 gallon Wowabunga Family Wave Pool.

Another easy, relaxing ride is Float Away Bay, which offers a slow float in a tube, while enjoying the sun. For more of an adrenaline rush, try the Hydro Racers, where you can race head-first, or Pipeline Plunge, a which drops you fifty feet down a slide on a two-person raft. Contact: 2574 US-30, Ligonier, PA 15658, Phone: 724-238-3666 Photo: Water Park at Idlewild & Soak Zone

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Carousel is a fun water park in the Poconos that that has something for the entire family. With one daily pass for all attractions, the waiting time is cut to the minimum. The kids will love mini-golf and go-carts, but when the weather gets hot, it is the water park that gets them excited.

You will find two fun water slides, a safe but fun wading pool for the little ones with the frog and boot slide, and super exciting bumper boats that offer crashing and splashing for the whole family to enjoy. Contact: 1018 Beach Lake Hwy, Beach Lake, PA 18405, Phone: 570-729-7532 Photo: Carousel Water & Fun Park

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DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, is famous for its "Hot Rides and Cool Slides." The park has over 30 attractions and rides such as Kid's Kingdom, the favorite among the tiny ones. It is the place where adults become kids and kids rule.

Together they have endless fun with thrilling rides, fun games and entertainment. In the heat of the summer, the Water Park will keep you entertained and cooled with a huge Wave Pool for the whole family, a Lazy River where you can relax and enjoy the scenery, and the new Italian themed park with such attractions as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Contact: 4352 E Pleasant Valley Blvd, Tyrone, PA 16686, Phone: 814-684-3538 Photo: Water Park at Del Grosso's Amusement Park

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Lake Raystown Resort is located only about 17 miles from Warriors Path State Park and is surrounded by 400 acres of lush woods.

It is famous for its first class RV and camping sites and even more famous for its fun water park with such thrilling attractions as the White Water Innertube Ride, two 380-foot high twisting slides for those that crave more rush, the exciting Atomic Blaster and a kids' Splash and Play Pool. With five pavilions, there is plenty of food for any taste and nobody will go hungry. The park is a great place for birthday and other celebrations. Contact: 3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Entriken, PA 16638, Phone: 814-658-3500 Photo: Wild River Water Park at Lake Raystown Resort

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Lakemont Park, open in 1899, is home to the oldest still existing roller coaster in the world, the Leap-The-Dips. The park today has more than 30 rides and attractions such as two rollercoasters, a Go-Kart track, Mini-Indy Go-Karts for the kids, a miniature golf course, Spins'n Grins Kiddieland, games, an arcade and the very popular Island Waterpark.

After getting all sweaty and exhausted with all the adrenaline-pumping rides, jump into the huge pool, slide down one of the four fun slides, or let the kids have fun on a Pirate Ship where they will be splashed with water cannons and play with all sorts of other toys. Contact: 700 Park Ave, Altoona, PA 16602, Phone: 814-949-7275 Photo: Alexander Gogolin/Fotolia

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Liberty Splashland is a seasonal park near Northumberland, Pennsylvania, that will let the whole family cool off and have fun on a hot summer day. With an enormous 7,734 square foot swimming pool, lounge chairs and a swing set, parents can relax while kids are splashing around in the Splash Zone Sprayground, the new exciting four-story high Liberty Bowl slide, two shorter slides and a Dump Tower.

The Liberty Cafe is there to replenish the energy when the little ones get tired. Local residents get a discount on seasonal passes. Contact: 178 Prince St, Northumberland, PA 17857, Phone: 570-473-1993 Photo: cone88/Fotolia

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