Affordable Waterpark Getaway in Wisconsin Dells

Looking for an affordable waterpark getaway to Wisconsin Dells? We did a 2-day, 1-night trip for a family of 4 for only $85, plus food! This included passes and parking for both Noah’s Ark and Mount Olympus water parks, as well as a clean motel with its own pool, playground, and picnic area. Let me break down the details and offer some more tips for a budget-friendly trip.

For another sample of a cheap family getaway, here are the details for a $121 one-night, two-indoor-waterpark winter trip for a family of four. I have suggestions on restaurants in Wisconsin Dells here, and a general guide for all the fun things in the Dells here.

The Budget Breakdown

Lodging	Paid in Credit Card Points (Cash Price $160)
Waterpark Passes	$20 Mount Olympus Included with Lodging for Noah’s Ark
Parking	$65
Total	$85

Lodging in Wisconsin Dells

The biggest tip is to get lodging that includes waterpark tickets! This link, from Noah’s Ark, shows which hotels offer complimentary tickets to America’s Largest Waterpark. Each of these includes tickets for the day of arrival, the day of departure, and any days in between if you stay longer than a night! They currently have eight listed with some variation in pricing options.

We stayed at Amber’s Inn and Suites. This family-run motel was super family-friendly with a great location. They are right downtown, and parking was easy. They have a pool, a playground, a hot tub, a grassy area to play, and a small basket of water/yard toys. They did not include a continental breakfast, which was one of the only downsides.

We have also been to AmericInn. They also had complimentary passes for an extra $20 to Chula Vista. The room wasn’t quite as nice, but it was a hotel rather than a motel, which matters to some people. It also had a great indoor pool with basketball hoops and a splash area in addition to a hot tub. Best of all, it included breakfast.

When I went in the summer of 2025, Amber’s Inn and Suites cost $160 on a weekday, which I paid for with Chase Credit Card Points. If you haven’t been taking advantage of credit card points to travel, you might be missing out on some easy perks. To maximize the full potential of credit card points, you have to learn a lot, but it is pretty easy to start getting a few free perks here and there. For more information, I recommend Points for Normal People or The Points Guy.

Waterpark Passes

Once you pick the right lodging, you will already have your tickets for Noah’s Ark. This huge waterpark will entertain most families for more than one day. If you are looking for variety, get day passes for Mount Olympus. Normally, passes run about $30 per person, but if you keep an eye out, you can sometimes find amazing deals. We ended up buying four passes just before Christmas for only $5 each!

Keep in mind that, for Mount Olympus, you have access to more than just their outdoor waterpark. Most days, you will also have access to the indoor waterpark, the roller coasters, the go-karts, and the indoor kiddie amusement center. It’s certainly more than enough options to fill a day.

Parking at the Waterparks

The majority of our expenses were actually parking. At Mount Olympus, you have to pay $40 per vehicle if you aren’t staying at their resort. The parking lot is quite a distance from the activities, making a trip back to the car unreasonable.

Noah’s ark charges $25 for general parking. Their parking felt closer to the action, and those on a tight budget could reasonably go to the car for a picnic if needed. If you pay an extra $5 for parking, you get into the preferred lot, which is even closer and might be worth it if you are planning to head back to the car for food.

I couldn’t find any good options to avoid the parking fees. Even if your hotel is directly across from Noah’s Ark, the entrance is still a 1/2-mile walk, mostly without a sidewalk.

Food While Sticking to a Budget

Bring your own water bottles to help save on drinks! It was reasonably easy to find places to fill up at Mount Olympus, but harder at Noah’s Ark.

I did not include food in our budget, as it seems to vary too much from family to family. A couple of tips: eat a big and late breakfast just before entering the park. Picnic breakfast is the most budget-friendly. We ended up going to the Pancake House, though, and loved it. The helpings were generous, there was a kids’ menu, and the food was good. My other favorite breakfast places in the Dells include Denny’s Diner (not the chain), which offers all the traditional American classics, and Bella Goose Coffee.

For lunch, you can head back to the car or pay for food at the water park. Food is not cheap, but it is what I would expect for an entertainment center. Examples of prices in 2025 are a burger and fries for $14, a hot dog and chips for $10, or a soda for $5 at Noah’s Ark. Sample prices at Mount Olympus included a cheeseburger basket for $14, a soda for $4.50, and Dippin’ Dots for $7.25.

Noah’s Ark hours vary, but it generally closes around dinnertime. This gives you the option of grilling out at your motel, hitting up a picnic, eating from a crockpot, or going out in town.

A Few More Tips

Don’t forget towels, you will need them for both resorts. Keep the cooler in the car well stocked with good snacks. Hit up Kwik Trip for refills on reasonably priced snacks and drinks.

For more budget activities, check out the State Parks near Wisconsin Dells and you can visit for a reasonably priced day pass. Rocky Arbor has a short hike and a small playground. Mirror Lake is a large state park with lots of hiking, rolling hills, and some beautiful sandstone features that make the Dells so popular. Finally, Devil’s Lake has a large swimming beach and an adventurous hike with amazing views.

There is a small free zoo in Baraboo, just a few minutes south of Wisconsin Dells. Stop by Top Secret for a free photo opportunity with the Transformers. Newport Beach is a free community beach in the Dells.

In Conclusion

A reasonably priced, affordable getaway to Wisconsin Dells is totally possible with the right planning! Minimize costs where you can and splurge where you have to. Mount Olympus offers plenty of budget-friendly lodging, but I would exercise caution before booking. I’ve heard a lot of unfavorable reviews. We’ve only stayed there once, at Hotel Rome, and I thought it was fine, but Hotel Rome is considered their “premier” property.

Many of the local motels in the Dells that offer complimentary tickets to Noah’s Ark are clean and comfortable without too many extra frills that add to the costs.

Do you have any tips for a great, affordable trip to Wisconsin Dells? I’m always happy to hear about more ideas.