Still wondering where to take your summer family vacation? If you haven’t heard of the Great Smoky Mountains, you’re in for a treat! Stretching across Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, this gorgeous region of foggy blue mountains is known for its natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities. A perhaps lesser-known aspect of these stunning mountains is that they provide ample opportunities to splash and play in the water.
The small mountain towns of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville hold countless ways to splash your way through the summer. You can spend a whole day exploring the most thrilling rides of your life at a world-class water theme park. Alternatively, you can enjoy indoor and outdoor access to watery fun when you stay at one of the waterpark resorts in Pigeon Forge. You won’t be able to resist these refreshing thrills and water adventures in the Smokies!
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Splash Around The Clock At A Water Resort
Wilderness At The Smokies
Wilderness at the Smokies is Tennessee’s largest waterpark resort, standing out from the rest with both indoor and outdoor water parks for year-round splashing. Feel your heart pump faster on rides like the River Run body slide, the Cyclone racer, and the thrilling High Vortex water slide – all features of the two outdoor water parks. Alternatively, take a more relaxed approach to splashing with the lazy river and wave pool. For the little ones, the kid’s play area is an adventure-filled wonderland with playful slides, a dump bucket, and interactive water features.
When you’re ready to quit splashing and dry off, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Wilderness at the Smokies is also home to Adventure Forest, a dry entertainment center for families. Test your guts on the three-story-high ropes course, or duke it out at the forest-themed laser tag arena. Even out the score at the blacklight mini-golf course, and keep the competitive spirit alive in the mega arcade! Therefore make sure that you do not forget to prepare your golf equipments and store it in a golf bag so you bring it easily and hassle free.
The resort also offers a range of accommodations suited to different needs, including deluxe guest rooms, family suites, and spacious villas. When you stay at Wilderness at the Smokies, entry to the water parks and Adventure Forest is included.
Wild Bear Falls Water Park
Located inside Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, Wild Bear Falls Water Park contains 60,000 square feet of aquatic excitement. As you explore this resort’s unique watery landscape, you’ll discover that each attraction is named for an actual site in the Great Smoky Mountains. Watch your kids get 300 gallons of water dumped on them from the “Ramsay Cascades” interactive treehouse. Hit top speeds on water slides like the 300-foot “Laurel Falls” twister or the 350-foot “Clingmans Dome” splasher. Leave your worries behind in the “Grotto Falls” hot tub.
Afterward, enjoy a refreshing lunch at The Roaring Fork, serving up hot American fare that the kids will devour. Visitors can also enjoy the resort’s fitness center, spa services, mini-golf course, and zipline after a long day of water-filled fun.
Are you planning a romantic getaway with your spouse? Treating the kids to a summer vacation? Or perhaps you are preparing an extended family reunion. In terms of accommodation, you’ll find nothing but the most luxurious studios and villas, ranging from one to five bedrooms. No matter what brings you to the Smokies, you’re bound to create fond memories when you stay at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort.
Seek Even Greater Thrills At A Water Park
Dollywood Splash Country
Your splash-filled summer in the Smokies wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Dollywood Splash Country. Sister to Dolly Parton’s legendary Dollywood amusement park, Dollywood Splash Country differentiates itself with 35 acres of water attractions, dining, and private retreats.
If you’re looking for the ultimate thrill, try the Fire Tower Falls. This ride starts at a towering height of 70 feet and sends you down a drop that’s both exhilarating and steep, before finally finishing up with a splash at the end. RiverRush is another popular ride among thrillseekers. This roller coaster takes you on a wild journey of twists, turns, and drops, all with a water-filled finale.
For those with young children, the Little Creek Falls is the perfect place to cool off. The water park features several smaller slides and a play area designed specifically for younger kids. For a more relaxing experience, take a float along the Downbound Float Trip, a lazy river passing through a scenic wooded area, or in Mountain Waves, a wave pool with five-foot-high waves.
Soaky Mountain Water Park
Soaky Mountain Water Park in Sevierville is the newest addition to the region’s water park offerings. This brand-new park has over 50 unique water attractions. The signature attraction is a massive wave pool, which offers visitors an authentic beach experience complete with rolling waves and churning surf. For even more excitement, check out the park’s four-person waterslide, which drops riders down a steep slope at lightning-fast speeds. If that’s not enough, the park’s unique water coaster takes riders winding and twisting through thrilling dips and turns while soaking them with refreshing sprays of cool water.
When you need a break from all the action, head over to the lazy river, where you can float along in a tube and soak up the sun. There’s also a multi-level play structure for kids, featuring slides, water cannons, and other interactive water features. Don’t forget to stop by the park’s many dining options for a tasty snack or refreshing drink. With so much to see and do, you’ll never run out of adventure at Soaky Mountain Water Park.
In Conclusion
As you can see, the Great Smoky Mountains are full of opportunities for playtime in the water. If your goal is to splash all summer long, consider staying at a water resort in Pigeon Forge, where you’ll have access to water activities right outside your door. On the other hand, you won’t find a more adrenaline-pumping experience than among the water parks’ specialty rides and roller coasters. Who needs the beach when the scenic Smoky Mountains are brimming with splash-filled fun for the whole family?