It always feels like summer at NEPA’s indoor waterparks. A little snow and ice won’t stop you from soaring down the waterslides and catching some waves. We’re home to four parks right here in the Poconos, including Kalahari Resorts, the largest indoor waterpark in America.

Indoor waterparks make the perfect oasis on snowy days and holiday weekends. Scratch that. They make the perfect getaway any day. Each park is packed with activities for the entire family, from thrilling waterslides to play areas for the little ones. And the aquatic attractions are just the beginning. These epic resorts also have arcades, spas, premier dining, luxurious rooms and more, all under one roof.

Pack your swimsuits and treat the family to a winter getaway. Whether you visit for the day or spend the night, a trip to an indoor waterpark makes the perfect NEPA staycation.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

Did we mention the largest indoor waterpark in America is in our backyard? Yep! At 220,000 square feet, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Pocono Manor is a dream for kids of all ages. You’ll soar down waterslides and catch some waves on an African safari themed adventure.

Adrenaline junkies can test their limits on the Barreling Baboon water slide, full of soaring dips and twists. If friendly competition is your speed, the Cheetah Race lets you challenge three friends as you go head-to-head to the bottom. Flowrider anyone? Put last summer’s newly-honed surfing skills to the test on their 5-foot wave simulator. Of course, no water park would be complete without tube slides, a lazy river and a zero-depth water play area for the littlest swimmers. There’s also a swim up bar for those over 21.

Day passes are available, but when you see all that Kalahari has to offer, you’ll want to stay the night. When you stay, play all the days! Waterpark access is available as early as noon on the day of your arrival until 3 p.m. on the day of your departure. In addition to the waterpark, they also have indoor mini golf, mini bowling, escape rooms, an arcade, and a 7-D motion theater.

Kalahari is open year-round. Come back in the summer to visit their outdoor waterpark and the Gorilla Grove ropes course and zip lines.

Camelback Resort Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark

Voted the best indoor waterpark by USA Today’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards, Aquatopia has everything you want from an indoor waterpark. Plus more. This 120,000 square foot explorer-themed waterpark will take you on a journey across 13 waterslides, a wave pool and an adventure river.

The brand new Mountain Mayhem waterslide is an experience like you’ve never had before. The 403-foot ride, inside a giant 54″ fully enclosed aquatube, features bright, flashing lights and imagery. It’s more than a waterslide. It’s an experience. The same can be said for all 756-feet of Storm Chaser, North America’s longest uphill water coaster.  A cross between a waterslide and a roller coaster, Storm Chaser features 5 gravity-defying drops. If you like your waterpark fun to be a little less death-defying, there’s plenty of that. Check out the Lost River lazy river, which takes you along an “underground” cave, the great Ka-Na-Gawa Wavepool, Croc-O-Nile Crossing and Penguin Play Bay, a zero-depth interactive pool for little guests.

Waterpark admission is included when you stay at the resort. And you’ll want to stay. You’ll have access to the arcade, an escape room, laser tag, rock climbing, indoor ropes course, bumper cars and more. Day passes are also available for advanced purchase.

Great Wolf Lodge

Gather your pack and head to Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun. This indoor waterpark is perfect for families with little kids, as there are tons of play areas, kiddie pools and adorable character visits.

Your pups will head straight for Fort Mackenzie, an interactive four-story water treehouse complete with slides and play stations. Big Foot Pass lets you attempt to leap floating lily pads with the help of cargo nets on this fun challenge of speed, agility and coordination. If water spraying from every direction excites you, Cub Paw Pool is the place to be, where you’ll experience geysers and water cannons galore. Finally, for the big kids, get ready for a 40-foot drop – that’s four stories, if you’re wondering – as you spin out of control down the jet-fueled vortex called Coyote Cannon.

Come for the waterpark but stay for the awesome themed suites. The Kid Cabin comes complete with a log cabin-themed sleeping area while the KidKamp Suite features a tent-themed sleeping area with bunk beds. Stay overnight and enjoy more time for splashy adventures, too. Enjoy full waterpark access from opening time on the day of your arrival until closing time on the day you depart. Day passes are also available.

H2Oooohh! Indoor Waterpark

Splash and stay at Split Rock Resort’s H20ooohh! Indoor Waterpark, home of Pennsylvania’s first flow rider. The 53,000 square foot waterpark features three, four-story tube slides. For the little kids, there’s a jungle-themed play area with a giant dumping bucket (a highlight for everyone). And if the pool is what you seek, there’s two of them to enjoy – a wave pool and a kiddie pool. An all-time favorite is the Leapin’ Lillypad crossing area.

Outside of the waterpark, Split Rock Resort’s amenities include an arcade, miniature golf, cosmic bowling, a movie theater and more. Day passes are available but may be limited during the busy season. In the winter, H2Ooooh! is open Friday – Sunday and holidays.

Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 12/27/2019.