The 12 Best Campgrounds With Water Parks
When the days are long, and the temperatures are heating up, there’s no better way to cool off than with a day at the water park. Luckily, when you’re at a campground that has its own water park, you don’t have to choose between hiking or enjoying a day on the water. Get everything you could want in the same place when you visit any of these 12 campgrounds with water parks.
1. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Luray – Luray, Virginia
Among this entire list of campgrounds with water parks, this one makes a case for top billing. Not only does it have all of the classic Jellystone amenities and a water park, but it also took fourth place in the 2022 Campspot Awards category Top Campgrounds with Views. When you’re ready to venture out for the day, you’ll get to enjoy a short drive to all the best hikes of Shenandoah National Park.
Nearest Airports: Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, Dulles International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Luray Caverns, Bear Mountain Ziplines, Shenandoah National Park
Family-Related Amenities: Arcade, arts and crafts, basketball, dog park, fishing, horseshoes, min golf, outdoor theater, paddle boats, playground, pool, water park, jumping pillow, laser tag, zip line
2. Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country – New Braunfels, Texas
This spot in the Texas Hill Country took second place in the 2022 Campspot Awards category Top Campground Design and third place for Top Campgrounds for Families. With beautiful acreage, access to the Guadalupe River, and even a swim-up bar, this is the perfect place to get the whole family outside.
Nearest Airports: San Antonio International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country, Wimberley Zipline Adventures, Landa Park
Family-Related Amenities: Arts and crafts, basketball, fishing, hot tub, ice cream, jumping pillow, mini-golf, playground, pool, volleyball, waterfront, water park
Book This Hill Country Family Camp
3. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Waller – Waller, Texas
This Jellystone location is within driving distance of Houston and the Gulf of Mexico and has more than its share of amenities. If you don’t want to make the drive to the Gulf, float down the lazy river located in the resort. If you’re looking for a true escape, book one of their cabins secluded in the Texas woods and enjoy all your comforts in an idyllic setting.
Nearest Airports: George Bush International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, The Woodlands Children’s Museum, Cypress Top Historic Park
Family-Related Amenities: Arcade, arts and crafts, basketball, dog park, fishing, horseshoes, hot tub, min golf, outdoor theater, playground, pool, volleyball, waterfront, water park
Book This Houston-area Jellystone
4. Spacious Skies Seven Maples Campground – Hancock, New Hampshire
For those looking for tried-and-true campgrounds with water parks, this family-run establishment has been operating for more than half a century! This wooded, northeastern escape has plenty of tree-lined hikes and local kayaking spots, as well as water slides and a heated pool for a day in the sun any time of year.
Nearest Airports: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Boston Logan International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Chuckster’s, Central Square, Lake Compounce
Family-Related Amenities: Arcade, basketball, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, horseshoes, ice cream, playground, pool, water park
5. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Gardiner – Gardiner, New York
Not a big camper, but want to get more into it? This Jellystone took third place in the 2022 Campspot Awards category Top Campgrounds for First-Timers. If you’re not ready to buy a tent but want to experience nature, you’ll have the best of both worlds here. Enjoy a water park on beautiful acreage in southern New York state. With 100 acres of park, there will still be plenty to explore the next time you visit.
Nearest Airports: New York Stewart International Airport, Albany International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary, Headless Horseman Haunted Attractions, Historic Huguenot Street
Family-Related Amenities: Arcade, arts and crafts, basketball, beach, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, hiking, horseshoes, hot tub, mini-golf, outdoor theater, playground, pool, sports field, volleyball, water park, waterfront, jumping pillow
Book This First-Timer Campground
6. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Western New York – North Java, New York
One New York Jellystone not enough for you? No problem, here’s another. In the western part of this state, this campground, complete with a water park, is just as beginner-friendly but can appeal to a broader range of interests as well. When you’re done hanging out at the 16,000-square-foot Water Zone (if you ever want to leave), head to the waterfront for some fishing and kayaking.
Nearest Airports: Greater Rochester International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Six Flags Darien Lake, Hidden Valley Animal Adventure, Letchworth State Park
Family-Related Amenities: Arcade, basketball, beach, canoeing/kayaking, dog park, fishing, horseshoes, mini-golf, playground, pool, volleyball, water park, waterfront
Book the Ultimate Water Park Experience
7. Water-Zoo Campground – Clinton, Oklahoma
Water-Zoo is unique in that the campground and water park are separate. Rather than providing a water park as an on-site amenity, Water-Zoo offers a full standalone, indoor water park for you to enjoy. If you’re planning your summer camping trips around the best water parks, this site makes a strong case. You’ll still get all the amenities you’ll want, like full hookups, fast internet, and, of course, access to a water park.
Nearest Airports: Will Rogers World Airport, Tulsa International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Stafford Air and Space Museum, Foss State Park
Family-Related Amenities: water park
Book This Indoor Water Park Campground
8. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Clay’s Resort – North Lawrence, Ohio
Sensing a theme when it comes to Jellystone Parks? Northeast Ohio might not be top of mind when planning your travels, but you’d be surprised at what this campground offers. With quick access to Cuyahoga National Park, all hikers will find this Ohio site has more outdoor qualifications than it gets credit for. When you’re at camp, you’ll have all you need with a water park, outdoor theater, and a full 18-hole mini-golf course.
Nearest Airports: Akron-Canton Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Nearby Attractions: St. Helena Heritage Park, Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve, Alien Vacation Mini Golf Attraction at Castle Noel
Family-Related Amenities: Basketball, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, hiking, mini-golf, outdoor theater, playground, pool, volleyball, waterfront, water park, zip line
9. Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge – Sevierville, Tennessee
If you’re headed to the most popular national park in the U.S., this is the place to stay. Visitors who don’t choose to camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will love the amenities at Sun Outdoors. You can also use it as a basecamp to explore Tennessee, as you’ll have quick access to the most popular attractions in Gatlinburg and beyond.
Nearest Airports: McGhee Tyson Airport, Asheville Regional Airport
Nearby Attractions: Titanic Museum, Castle of Chaos, WonderWorks Pigeon Forge
Family-Related Amenities: Arcade, basketball, dog park, hot tub, playground, pool, water park
Book This Great Smoky Mountains Stay
10. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Golden Valley – Bostic, North Carolina
Beyond just its water park, Jellystone: Golden Valley is one of the best campgrounds you can visit in the country. Coming in sixth in the 2022 Campspot Awards for Top Campgrounds in the USA, this park has everything you could want, from open waters to mini-golf to cozy cabin stays. What’s not to love?
Nearest Airports: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Nearby Attractions: High Shoals Falls, History Museum of Burke County, South Mountains State Park
Family-Related Amenities: Arts and crafts, basketball, beach, canoeing/kayaking, dog park, fishing, hiking, mini-golf, outdoor theater, paddle boats, playground, pool, sports field, volleyball, water park, waterfront, hot tub, jumping pillow, laser tag
11. Harbour Village Campground and Water Park – Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
If you’re looking for something a little less tracked, consider heading to northwest Wisconsin. You’ll get all the amenities of a larger resort here, including a water park, jumping pillow, beach, and 300 acres of greenery to explore.
Nearest Airports: Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, Appleton International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Lakeshore Adventures Zipline, Plum Loco Animal Farm, Cana Island Lighthouse
Family-Related Amenities: Arcade, arts and crafts, basketball, beach, dog park, fishing, horseshoes, ice cream, jumping pillow, mini-golf, outdoor theater, paddle boat, pedal cart, playground, pool, shuffleboard, sports field, volleyball, water park
12. Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater – Albertville, Alabama
When it comes to campgrounds with water parks, Sand Mountain is a bit of everything rolled into one. The park and amphitheater combine sports, leisure, wellness, and entertainment into one place. With multiple sports fields, tennis courts, a massive pool, and a 7,500-person amphitheater, this is a summer’s worth of fun all in one campground.
Nearest Airport: Huntsville International Airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Noccalula Falls, Imagination Place, Cathedral Caverns State Park
Family-Related Amenities: Basketball, dog park, playground, pool, sports field, volleyball, water park
Book This Ultimate Entertainment Arena
When you’re looking to beat the heat, there’s no better place to be than by the water park. Any of these 12 campgrounds with water parks will offer you all the access to the outdoors you could want for a summer vacation done right!
Joe Coleman is a freelance travel and outdoor writer based in East Texas. His love for the outdoors started when living near Olympic National Park and has stayed with him ever since. Taking a respite from social media, you can reach him exclusively at joecolemanfreelance@gmail.com.
Photo credit in order of appearance: Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Luray, Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Waller, Spacious Skies Seven Maples Campground, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Gardiner, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Western New York, Water-Zoo Campground, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Clay’s Resort, Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Golden Valley, Harbour Village Campground and Waterpark, Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater