Are you wondering which of the indoor waterparks at Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells is the best? There is fun to be had at all of them! I can break down the differences for you, but you will want to visit most of them as they all have different fun features. First, I’ll talk about each waterpark and its amenities. Next, I have suggestions specific to height and age. Keep in mind that there is a walkway with quick access between the Waterdome and Klondike Kavern, but to get to Wild West, you have quite a walk. You need a shuttle to get to Cubby’s Cove. Check out my post on all the dry indoor activities at Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells and some insight on whether the Fun Pass is worth it. If you are looking for restaurant options outside of the Wilderness here is my list of favorites.
Towel Policy
I love the towel availability at Wilderness. You get a card for each guest to exchange for a pool towel at check-in. You can keep that pool towel as long as you want and bring it back to your room if needed. Then, you can exchange that towel for a clean, dry towel or a towel card at any waterpark. If you lose the card or a towel, though, the fee is high, $40. I packed our beach towels, but we didn’t need them.
Wild West Waterpark
The Wild West waterpark features a large play/splash structure, several slides, and a toddler area. The play structure is called Ransack Ridge. It has two body slides without height restrictions. There are three smaller body slides with a max height of 54″. The large dumping bucket is fun, dumps frequently, and has an easy-to-hear alarm so you know when it is coming.
Fantastic Voyage is a family raft slide without height restrictions. You can fit 2-5 people on the raft as long as the group is between 200-800 lbs. Our family loved this ride since everyone was able to ride together. There are also racing tube slides called Twisted Trails. You have to be 42″ to ride with an adult or 48″ to ride solo. Warped Wagons is a racing mat slide with a minimal height requirement of 42″, and everyone rides solo. Finally, there is a toilet bowl-type slide for guests over 48″ called the Black Hole. The line on this ride goes slowly, but the ride is pretty exciting.
A toddler area has warmer water, shallow depths, and small slides. It also has some bouncy seats/swings.
This waterpark is near Dodge’em City with many indoor activities in addition to a gift shop, candy shop, coffee shop, and restaurant.
Waterdome in the New Frontier
Waterdome is a large indoor waterpark near guest registration and features a huge wave pool, a family raft slide, and a toddler area. While I thought this would only keep our attention for a short time, I vastly underestimated the draw of a wave pool. This was my kids’ favorite waterpark at ages 4 and 6.
The ceiling is made of windows so you can see the sun shining on a nice day. It seems silly, but yes, you may need sunscreen. The Wave pool is advertised as the largest in the nation and has waves for 5 minutes followed by 10 minutes of calm water. The bottom of the pool, as expected, is a little rough. There is a store that sells beach toys, but you can save some cash by bringing your own. My kids were endlessly entertained playing with diving rings, and we saw a lot of older kids enjoying throwing a football around when the waves were not on.
Dueling Mammoths is a family raft slide without a height requirement. The tube is dark, and we had a lot of fun riding it.
This waterpark is close to the main food court, Camp Social as well as a restaurant adjacent to the waterpark. It is also near the Go-Karts and an arcade.
Klondike Kavern
Klondike Kavern is a large waterpark that you can get to easily from the Waterdome or from the hotel between registration at New Frontier and the Wild West. Food options here are similar to the Wild West and Waterdome described above though instead of funnel cakes or Dipping’ Dots there is a frozen yogurt bar.
The resort’s only lazy river is at Klondike. It gets very busy on the weekends. There is a large splash/play structure called Bonanza Bluff that includes two body slides and a large tipping bucket. There are two tube slides, two body slides, and the most thrilling family raft ride. It is called The Hurricane and is the only raft slide with a height requirement.
Klondike is the only park at Wilderness with an indoor/outdoor activity pool (rather than only a hot tub). This includes basketball hoops.
Klondike Kove is the location of the daily rubber duck races for kids. The winning kid gets a free t-shirt.
It is centrally located between Wild West and Waterdome.
Cubby’s Cove
Cubby’s Cove is located at “Wilderness on the Lake, ” a shuttle ride from the main hotel. This is the smallest waterpark, specially designed for families with younger kids. There is a large kids’ area, less than a foot deep, and features five small slides in addition to a mushroom water feature and some things to climb on. There is also a pool with basketball hoops and a lily pad crossing. Feeling brave? Check out the indoor/outdoor hot tub. The bar/grill was closed when we were there during the week in the off-season.
There are life vests available for kids at all the waterparks, but at Cubby’s Cove, all kids less than 48″ must have a life vest on at all times. This can be frustrating for confident swimmers or younger kids who are in the shallows and feel restricted by their vests.
Cubby’s Cove is near a small arcade and the Escape Rooms.
Height and Weight Restrictions
For a formal list of requirements for each ride at each one of the waterparks at Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells, check here. Some of the rides appeared to have a soft check on the requirement, but other places were quite strict.
By Height: Babies and Kids Less Than 42″
There are dedicated spots for the youngest visitors at each park. The toddler area at Waterdome is connected to the wave pool but really doesn’t get much for waves.
If they love slides and can go alone, they will find the most available slides at either the Wild West or Cubby’s Cove. The Wild West has a large climbing/splash structure. This has two larger slides with flat bottom endings that adults and kids alike can go on. You do have to go one at a time. There are two medium body slides for kids, 54″ or less, and one even smaller slide. At Cubby’s Cove, there are several small slides. All kids less than 48″. have to have a life vest in place at all times at Cubby’s Cove. There were points in my kid’s lives when they hated their life vests, so this may be a make-or-break point.
Regardless of height, they can ride the family raft slides at the Wild West and at the Waterdome if they are ready for the adventure. I loved going on these with my 41.5″ four-year-old; he had the time of his life.
By Height: Kids between 42″-47″
At these ages, there is fun to be had at any of the water parks. Once they get over 42″, the tube slides open up to them, but they will need to ride with an adult. For the smaller kids, look for the special double tubes with a floor across the front rider spot. This prevents little bodies from slipping through! The tube slides are found at Wild West and Klondike Kavern.
These kids will also be able to go on the mat slides now at the Wild West, but they have to go alone. They are dueling slides though so they can have family or a friend in the slide next to them for moral support if needed.
There is no height minimum on the family raft slides at the Waterdome and Wild West, but they won’t be tall enough for the third family raft slide at Klondike.
The wave pool at the Waterdome was a huge hit for my kids in this height range. The waves added an extra level of excitement, and we spent hours here. Bring a toy for the downtime between the waves, such as diving rings or a Nerf ball.
Cubby’s cove has a small play area built for the littles but this middle age range also may like it. Even better, Cubby’s Cove has a Lilly pad walk, which is always well-loved. Remember that all kids under 48″ have to wear a life vest at all times at Cubby’s Cove. This can be frustrating for kids who are confident swimmers.
By Height: Kids 48″ and Over
Once kids hit 48″, the whole park is open to them! If they love slides, hit up Wild West, which has the toilet bowl slide called the black hole, tube slides, mat slides, and a family raft slide. Klondike Kavern is another great place for the bigger slides as it has the extreme funnel ride on a family raft with a height minimum, tube slides, and body slides. Klondike also has a lazy river and an indoor-outdoor pool rather than just the hot tub that Wild West has. The wave pool at Waterdome is popular with all ages. Bring a ball or something to entertain them between wave cycles. Cubby’s Cove is likely one to skip if your whole group is over 48″. The only things that might be a draw are the Lilly pad walk or the indoor basketball hoops.
Waterpark Hours
Look closely at the waterpark hours, especially if you are there during the week. At least one of the parks is usually closed each day. There is a general pattern but look at the specific week you will be there. We got surprised once when we booked during a week when the prices were better than average. Turns out that was because Klondike was closed for four days in a row!
Cabanas
There are Cabanas available to rent at the Waterdome and the Wild West. These can be pricey, but they can be a great place for a little rest or nap if you can afford them. The exact price depends on the season and availability. These are more helpful if you stay farther from the park or have guests who prioritize a quiet place to escape or nap.
In Conclusion
The indoor waterparks at Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells are all balanced, and it is hard to say which is truly the best. My kids’ favorite was the huge wave pool at the Waterdome. Klondike Kavern was closest to our room and had the indoor-outdoor pool and many slide options. Wild West was next to most of the indoor activities and had some of the best slides for our family. Cubby’s Cove is a shuttle ride away from the main hotel. The kids were irritated with the life vest rule but loved the Lilly pad walk. Which was your favorite?
Unless you are in the Dells during the dead of winter, consider checking out the Wisconsin Dells Duck tours. One of my favorite Wisconsin Dells Winter activities for animal lovers is the Timbavati Zoo VIP winter tour.