Making Waves: Top 10 US Water Parks For Unforgettable Family Fun

This water park is in Draper, Utah, which is around 20 miles south of Salt Lake City. You could add this location to a National Parks trip. Cowabunga Bay has a retro 1960s theme. Top attractions include the dark 800-foot-long Mondo waterslide. If you are seeking something less scary, chill out at the Cowabunga Beach. With 11 slides, there is a little something for everyone.

This is great option for the animal lovers out there and is located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. This splashy place claims to be the largest water park in the United States. It features 24 water attractions, along with multiple shops and restaurants. There are two lazy river to choose from and a Flash Flood flume ride. Thrill-seekers will love Raja, a king cobra-themed racing slide with a 37-foot plunge.

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Let's travel to Carlsbad, California, which is about 35 miles north of San Diego. This water park is part of the larger Legoland Resort, so you can make the most of it and have a big family vacation here. Everything is Lego-themed, including the lazy river, where you can decorate your raft with Lego bricks. Older kids will love racing each other on the Twin Chasers while younger kids can hang out at the splash pads.

Take a break from Harry Potter and the Minions to get some fun in the sun at this Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. The centerpiece of this water park is the realistic volcano. Another fun feature is the waterproof TapuTapu wristbands that allow you to wait in virtual lines instead of physical ones. How modern.

This one is a great option for lovers of country music as it is located in Branson, Missouri. Go to Branson for the live shows and add in a water park. Silver Dollar City's White Water has 13 acres of fun. Those seeking adventure can try out the KaPau Plummet ride, which features an almost vertical 40-foot plunge. Little ones will love hanging out at the Coconut Cove water playground.

If you are visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this summer, add on a stay at the nearby Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville, Tennessee. This resort has three water parks that are both indoors and outdoors. Older kids will love Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark. Younger kids will enjoy Salamander Springs Outdoor Waterpark. When the weather is bad, you can go to the indoor option, Wild WaterDome, which has a little something for everyone.

Let's go to the Badger State. The Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark is a part of the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Golfers can even get in nine holes here. Inside the water park are fast-twisting slides for older kids and a lazy river for those who wish to relax. There is also a heated pool.

Dolly Parton is an American treasure and so is her water park. When visiting Dollywood, make sure to add Splash Country to your agenda. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Adventure lovers will enjoy the water coaster RiverRush. Younger kids will love playing at the Bear Mountain Fire Tower. There are even racing slides that end in a pool of butterflies.

If boysenberries are your thing, check out Knott's Soak City. Walter Knott introduced the sweet fruit to the world. You can ride some slides then get a funnel cake topped with boysenberries as a snack. This water park is located in Buena Park, California. You can make a weekend of it and also visit Knott's Berry Farm for roller coasters and more boysenberry treats.

If you are doing the United States history thing in Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, or Yorktown, and need a break, look no further than Water Country USA. It is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It has a lazy river to chill out in. You can recite your best George Washington facts while floating. If you want to get your heart pumping, try the whitewater rafting adventure ride, Big Daddy.