The 12 Best Water Parks near Minneapolis & St. Paul | Discover The Cities (2024)

Whether you’re trying to cool off in the summer or find a fun activity in the winter, nothing beats a day at the water park!

For a place with a reputation for being so cold, our Twin Cities have a really impressive collection of pools, slides, and water attractions.

Today, we’re sharing our local’s picks of the 12 best water parks near Minneapolis and St. Paul.

P.S. – If you’re in the mood for watery fun without the slides, don’t miss our guide to the best splash pads around the Twin Cities.

Map of the Best Water Parks around Minneapolis & St. Paul

Indoor Water Parks Near Minneapolis St. Paul

Great Wolf Lodge (Bloomington)

Even though we live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, sometimes we all crave a little chlorine. That’s where Great Wolf Lodge comes in. As the top indoor water park destination in the state, it also happens to be one of the largest water parks in the Upper Midwest.

Great Wolf’s 75,000 square feet includes tons of waterslides, a lazy river, a surfing simulator, and a generous wave pool. When you’re ready for a break from the water, there’s also an indoor climbing wall, ropes course, arcade, and mini bowling alley.

Attractions are generally geared towards families and kids 12 and under. Plus, plenty of beverage options for the grown-ups to sip poolside.

Great Wolf Lodge primarily caters to guests staying in one of the 400+ adjoining hotel rooms, so expect to shell out some steeper prices here for rooms and waterpark passes than other options on this list. But locals have the option to grab hourly and day passes.

• Address: 1700 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
• Website: Great Wolf Lodge

Venetian Water Park – Holiday Inn (Maple Grove)

A little bit of Venice right here in Minnesota. The Venetian Indoor Water park in Maple Grove opens every weekend for a casual and fun getaway for the kids. It features two four-story waterslides, a large pool with basketball hoops, and a 20+ person hot tub.

The entire park is decorated in kitschy Italian Renaissance murals and lighting… there’s a particular level of quirky here you have to see to experience.

A smaller and cheaper option than the big indoor hotel water parks and best for a short weekend away.

• Address: 11801 Fountains Way, Maple Grove, MN 55369
• Website: Venetian Indoor Waterpark

Great River Water Park (St. Paul)

The Great River Water Park in St. Paul is located within the Oxford Community Center in the Summit-University neighborhood. The water park features two water slides, a splash pool, a diving board, a lap pool, water aerobics, swimming lessons, and a concession stand.

The lap pool and water slides are the only attractions for older kids and adults, but with entrance fees as low as $2 per person, it’s significantly more affordable than the other options on this list.

The low-key atmosphere and zero-depth entry pool are also among the best options for anyone seeking mobility adaptations at the water park.

• Address: 270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
• Website: Great River Water Park

The Tropics Indoor Water Park (Shoreview)

Shoreview Community Center offers a tropical-themed indoor waterpark about 20 minutes north of downtown Minneapolis. The park features two main areas:

• Bamboo Bay zero-depth pool and play structure for kids 10 and under
• Shipwreck Beach, a larger lap pool area with a water slide, water basketball, volleyball, hot tub, and more, making it a good option for families with a wide age range of kids.

Since the city continues to face staffing and lifeguard shortages, pool hours and capacity limits have significantly reduced since the pandemic. So it’s worth calling ahead to make sure they’re open, and the current visitor count limits.

• Address: 4580 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126
• Website: The Tropics at Shoreview Community Center

Outdoor Water Parks Near Minneapolis St. Paul

North Commons Water Park (Minneapolis)

One of two water parks in the City of Minneapolis, there’s one thing families love about North Commons Water Park. It’s totally FREE.

The park features a large waterslide, lap pool, and smaller play area for infants and toddlers. It’s all about community here; expect a clean and safe experience for all.

• Address: 1701 Golden Valley Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55411
• Website: North Commons Water Park

Jim Lupient Water Park (Minneapolis)

The larger of the two water parks in Minneapolis, Jim Lupient, is a popular summer spot among elementary school-aged families. There’s a LOT for families here, including water slides, water volleyball, lap swimming, and a splash pad area.

Guests 42″ and taller can use the slides for the $5 entrance fee; all others pay just $3 for a day pass.

Address: 1520 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Website: Jim Lupient Water Park

Bunker Beach (Coon Rapids)

Bunker Beach’s slogan “1,000,001 Gallons of Fun” screams Minnesota summer. Owned by the Anoka County Parks and Rec Department, Bunker Beach is Minnesota’s largest outdoor waterpark and home to the state’s largest wave pool.

You’ll also find 6 waterslides, a zero-depth adventure pool for smaller children, and a 900-foot lazy river. Plus a large center pool areas with water-rock climbing walls and basketball hoops!

The park is open daily June-September from 11–7 PM. Twilight hours after 4 PM have the best admission rates.

• Address: 701 County Rd A, Coon Rapids, MN 55448
• Website: Bunker Beach

Cascade Bay (Eagan)

Our personal favorite among all the municipal waterparks on this list is Cascade Bay in Eagan.

Not only does the park have all the favorites, including a zero-depth entry pool, waterslides, lazy river, sand play area, mini-golf, and concessions, but it also has plenty of open pool space just to be. You know. Marco Polo. Handstand competitions. All those kid things we all used to (and still do) love about a summer afternoon at the pool.

• Address: 1360 Civic Center Dr, Eagan, MN 55122
• Website: Cascade Bay Water Park

Soak City, Valley Fair (Shakopee)

If this was a list of the Best Waterslides in Minnesota, then Soak City would move to the very top. Attached to Valley Fair Amusem*nt Park in Shakopee, Soak City is well-known for its stomach-plunging water slides, including Panic Falls, two 60-foot speed slides for racing, and Hurricane Falls, a 70-foot 4-person raft ride.

Soak City admission is included in Valley Fair admission. So for around $35, you can have a day of roller coasters and water slides combined.

• Address: 1 Valley Fair Dr, Shakopee, MN 55379
• Website: Valley Fair

Edina Aquatic Center (Edina)

For more than 60 years, families have used the outdoor swimming pools, slides, and water areas at the Edina Aquatic Center. They also boast claim to the state’s first outdoor surfing simulator, an attraction that draws thousands of kids every summer. The park also features a 50-meter lap pool with a diving well, body slide and tube slide, zip line, and Lil’ Lagoon area for toddlers.

Daily admission is $13 for all swimmers 1 year and older; season pass options are also a good bet here.

• Address: 4300 W 66th St, Edina, MN 55435
• Website: Edina Aquatic Center

Como Park Regional Pool (St. Paul)

One of the newest water park areas on this list, Como Park, was renovated and reopened just before the pandemic. You’ll find a zip line, lazy river, aquatic climbing wall, children’s pool, six-lane lap pool, and diving platforms. All are geared toward the elementary and pre-teen family.

One parent we know loves this spot because there are enough activities to easily pass the afternoon, but it’s small enough to keep an eye on all the kids at once.

• Address: 1151 Wynne Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
• Website: Como Park Regional Pool

Battle Creek Waterworks (Maplewood)

One of the few water park options in the East Metro, Battle Creek Waterworks offers all the summer hangout options you’d expect at the local pool. There’s a three-story waterslide, a splash pad and water playground, and a small-sized pool for hanging out.

Nothing fancy, but always clean and reliably well-staffed.

• Address: 2401 Upper Afton Rd E, Maplewood, MN 55119
• Website: Battle Creek Waterworks