Best Indoor Water Parks in Michigan Offer Wet and Wild Fun

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Indoor waterparks in Michigan
Photo credit: Zehnder’s Splash Village

Looking for a fun Midwest getaway that’s enjoyable year-round, even during the snowy winter months? These top Michigan water parks offer all the excitement and adventure you’re looking for in an amazing family vacation, but with the bonus of being indoors and climate-controlled. So no matter what the weather’s doing outside, you and your family can enjoy endless hours of splashing, sliding, and soaking in the fun.

Whether you’re into thrilling water slides, relaxing lazy rivers, or indulgent spa services, these destinations have something for everyone. So why wait? Pack your swimsuits and take your pick from our list of favorites below.

Indoor waterparks in Michigan: Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City
Grab a day pass or book a room for an overnight stay (with water park passes included). Photo credit: Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City

1. Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City

3575 N US Highway 31 S
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 486-2571

The Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City can feel like an entire vacation rolled into a weekend getaway. Climb and play on the four-story interactive water fort treehouse with a tipping bucket at the top, or soar down the many water slides and tube slides within the water park play area.

Outside the water, the family fun continues with land attractions like the real-life interactive adventure game, MagiQuest, as well as mini golf, mini bowling at Ten Paw Alley, the enormous lodge arcade, and much more. There are also kid-friendly dining options, character appearances, and other fun (and free) events available onsite. 

More reasons why Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City is a must-visit indoor waterpark in Michigan:

  • Grab a day pass or book a room for an overnight stay (with water park passes included).
  • This 37,000-square-foot water park is kept at a warm 84 degrees year-round 
  • Plenty of extra fun to have besides the water park, including free daily events, an arcade, and more.
  • Themed rooms and evening group activities make staying overnight a blast!

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re planning to experience additional fun outside of the water park, consider purchasing a Wolf Pass, Paw Pass or Pup Pass which bundles the costs of several lodge activities into one. This can make your getaway feel more like an “all-inclusive” vacation. And check out our complete guide to Great Wolf Lodge for first timers before you go!

Indoor waterparks in Michigan: Zehnder's Splash Village
At Zehnder’s Splash Village, you’ll find two large water parks combined to create 50,000 square feet of fun! Photo credit: Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark

2. Zehnder’s Splash Village

1365 S. Main St.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
(844) 330-1715

If you’re looking for an indoor water park that will be fun for kids (and adults) of any age, take a look at Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth. Here you’ll find two large water parks combined to create 50,000 square feet of fun!

Spend your day screaming down a six-story family raft ride and super loop body slide or unwind while floating along the lazy river and relaxing in the hot tub. With the large variety of water adventure options, it’ll be easy for an entire day to slip away without realizing it. That’s why my family likes to book a room and make it a weekend of fun.

More reasons why Zehnder’s Splash Village is a must-visit indoor water park in Michigan:

  • Choose a day pass or book a room.
  • The sun feels great indoors year-round with this park’s retractable roof.
  • The outdoor pool is a fab park addition when the weather is nice.
  • Cabanas are available for rent and include a mini-refrigerator, safe, house phone, towels, flat-screen TV and food and beverage service.
  • When a break is needed, you’ll also find dining options, an arcade and a golf course nearby.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Water park passes are included with your room when you book a stay at Zehnder’s Splash Village. Choose a waterpark view room for a birds-eye view of the park. For larger families, the Loft Suite accommodates up to 8!

Indoor waterparks in Michigan:Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
Avalanche Bay is Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark with 88,000 square feet of activities. Photo credit: Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, Boyne Mountain Resort.

3. Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark

1 Boyne Mountain Road
Boyne Falls, MI 49713
(855) 688-7046

Located on the campus of Boyne Mountain Resort, Avalanche Bay is Michigan’s largest indoor water park. With 88,000 square feet of activities, this water playground can be a great addition to your Michigan vacation year-round. We visit Boyne Mountain each autumn season to watch the colors change on the trees, and of course, spend a day at Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark!

One feature that sets this park apart from the rest is the surf simulator (you can watch a live video here). We also love the 7 waterslides, 4 indoor pools—including a water basketball pool—and the kiddie activity pool with a play structure for smaller guests.

More reasons why Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark is a must-visit indoor water park in Michigan:

  • There are plenty of options for overnight stays near Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, including hotel rooms at the Boyne Mountain Resort or a vacation rental on the property.
  • Day passes are available.
  • There are several dining options available inside the water park, attached hotel or around the resort campus.
  • Other activities are available at Boyne Mountain resort including ziplining, skiing, mountain biking and more (all for an additional fee).

SheBuysTravel Tip: Be sure to pack your water shoes! The wet floors at an indoor water park can become very slippery with bare feet. These shoes can help.

Indoor waterparks in Michigan: Bavarian Inn Lodge
At the indoor waterpark, you’ll find four pools, including a waterfall pool, a kiddie splash zone pool with water geysers, an adults-only pool and plenty of tube slides for added fun. Photo credit: Bavarian Inn Lodge

4. Bavarian Inn Lodge

1 Covered Bridge Lane
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
(855) 652-7200

Located in “Little Bavaria,” a.k.a Frankenmuth, Michigan, the Bavarian Inn Lodge water park hotel makes for a fun getaway for the whole family. At the indoor water park, you’ll find four pools, including a waterfall pool, a kiddie splash zone pool with water geysers, an adults-only pool and plenty of tube slides for added fun.

Beyond the water park, your family can register for a pretzel-rolling class, play a round of indoor miniature golf or play in the family fun center—the largest in any Midwest hotel. If you’re looking for day passes, they can be purchased mid-week depending on availability. However, if you plan an overnight stay, water park passes are included with your room.

More reasons why Bavarian Inn Lodge is a must-visit indoor water park in Michigan:

  • Book an overnight stay at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and get water park passes for each person registered to your room.
  • Add on other activities during your visit such as a family fun center, miniature golf and a bustling downtown Frankenmuth shopping area.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Plan to visit the nearby Bavarian Inn Restaurant for world-famous, family-style chicken dinners and authentic German dishes after spending the day in the pools. Be sure not to miss out on the buttered noodles and house-made ice cream; they are my family’s favorite!

Soaring Eagle Waterpark
Soaring Eagle Waterpark includes the Flowrider surf simulator, tube slides, water basketball, lazy river and a 28-person hot tub. Photo Soaring Eagle Waterpark

5. Soaring Eagle Waterpark

5665 E. Pickard St.
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
(877) 232-4532

Located near the Soaring Eagle Casino, the Soaring Eagle Waterpark can easily make for a fun multi-generational getaway. The water park includes the Flowrider surf simulator, tube slides, water basketball, lazy river and a 28-person hot tub. Private cabanas with TVs and refreshments can also be rented.

Day passes are limited availability. You can also book a stay at the Waterpark Hotel with (or without) included water park passes. Plus, the other Soaring Eagle Properties, including the casino, are just a complimentary shuttle away.

More reasons why Soaring Eagle Waterpark is a must-visit indoor water park in Michigan:

  • Additional activities, some of which tell the stories of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribe, can be enjoyed during your visit (some activities cost extra).
  • Snacks, quick dining and restaurant dining are available onsite.
  • Complimentary shuttle service is available to all Soaring Eagle Properties, including the casino.
Indoor waterparks in Michigan: Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark
Located at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, this indoor waterpark also offers guests fun thrill slides, a lazy river, wave pool, water fort, toddler pool, water basketball and hot tubs for relaxing. Photo credit: Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark

6. Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark

5900 Water Road
Rothbury, MI 49452
(231) 894-4444

Those looking for Western Michigan’s tallest indoor waterslide will find it at the Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark. Located at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, this indoor water park also offers fun thrill slides, a lazy river, wave pool, water fort, toddler pool, water basketball and hot tubs for relaxing.

For fun beyond the indoor water park, an arcade and outdoor waterpark are also available— and don’t forget the resort’s snow tubing, horseback riding and mini-golf too.

More reasons why Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark is a must-visit indoor water park in Michigan:

  • Kids under 3 and spectators get free water park admission.
  • There are several options for overnight stays, including rooms or suites, Family Cabins and Log Homes.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Looking for something lakeside or slopeside instead? Use this guide to help you find the best family resorts in Michigan.

7. Splash Universe

100 Whitetail Dr.
Dundee, MI 48131
(734) 606-0149

This location is currently closed but, according to the park’s Facebook page, it plans to reopen soon. Splash Universe in Dundee is just an hour’s drive from Detroit and Toledo, Ohio.

Additional Michigan spots with fun water features