7 Best Indoor Water Parks in Indiana
Dive into the ultimate guide to Indiana's top 7 indoor water parks! Perfect for families and thrill-seekers, these parks offer year-round fun.
The Midwestern state of Indiana, popularly called the crossroads of America, has developed over several decades to become one of the United States' choice destinations. For certain reasons, the state has an influx of new residents and tourists alike.
Along with many tourist attractions like the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Indianapolis Zoo, one other major attraction to Indiana is its beautiful all-season water parks. Indiana is home to a good number of Indoor Water parks that are open all year and are equipped with the most entertaining and fun-filled structures.
If residents of Indiana are spoiled with a good number of indoor water park options and are confused as to which to choose on a regular day, what of visitors to the state? This article will serve as a guide to get through which indoor water parks are the best.
1. Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park
Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park
Credit: Travel Indiana
📍Map It: 8505 IN-56, French Lick, IN 47432
Phone: (812)-936-3866
Hours: Daily: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Entrance: Adults: $24.95, Seniors: $19.95, Age 2 and under: Free
The Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park, located in French Lick, Indiana, sits on over 40,000 square feet of land. It is one of the biggest indoor water parks in Indiana and so has endless options for fun activities. Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park is attached to a hotel, The Big Splash hotel. This makes it easier for visitors from Indiana, neighbouring states, or more distant places to have access to easy and comfortable lodging.
This beautiful waterpark in Southern Indiana has a retractable roof, making it easy to control the atmosphere and climate conditions within the facility. For this reason, Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park can stay open all year. The park features many attractions that will excite both an 8-year-old and a 45-year-old, although to different degrees. There is much to do in the waterpark, so even a picky fun-seeker will be spoiled for choices.
Visitors to the park are sure to create unforgettable memories with loved ones while relaxing along the lazy Lost River, plunging down the Pirate's Plunder, splashing around in the Lost Treasure Lagoon, and playing basketball. To offer visitors these amazing activities amongst many others, this huge, pirate-themed water park puts in place several fun sections. Some of these are the Scallywag Scuttle, Jolly Roger Jetty, Palm Cove, Buccaneer Bay, and Silverbeard's Revenge.
The Scallywag Scuttle is an entirely enclosed body slide that twists and turns the rider through a speeding course and then spits them out in a slide run-out. This body slide is very amusing and has you screaming out of excitement.
Parents love getting on the Jolly Roger Jetty with their little ones as it gives them the chance to ride together in tubes and watch how excited they get. The jetty can accommodate both single and double inner tubes. The Jolly Roger Jetty takes you through seven serpentine turns and hurls you around thrilling curves before finally dumping the riding tubes into a big Splash pool which in turn empties into the Lost River.
Just like the Scallywag Scuttle, Pirate's Plunder is an all-enclosed body slide in another section of the waterpark. Riders lay on their back, feet first, and slide round the twists and turns.
The Pirate's Plunder offers just as much excitement as the Scallywag Scuttle. It is a body slide so sliding in tubes is not allowed in the ride. Visitors do not need to put on a life jacket to get on the ride. Lots of non-water-based activities and toys are also made available to guests who need a break from the water. Some things outside water include laser tags, mini-golf, arcades, ATVs, and zip lines.
2. Aquatics Center at Abe Martin Lodge
Credit: Brown County State Park
📍Map It: Brown County State Park 1405 State Road 46 West Nashville, IN 47448
Phone: (812)-988-4418
Hours: Daily: 10 AM - 9 PM
Entrance: Adults: $15, Age 2 and under: Free
The number one getaway to have unrivaled fun and create undefeated experiences is the Aquatics Center at Abe Martin Lodge located in West Nashville, Indiana. This family-friendly water park is situated inside the Brown County State Park making it an ideal destination for all-around recreation and vacation. The water park is also nestled with the Abe Martin Lodge so visitors have ease of accommodation.
The Aquatics Center at Abe Martin Lodge is the first indoor water park opened in the lodge of a national or state.
Visitors to the park are treated to numerous fun-filled activities. This indoor water park is 12,000 square feet and features a Water Channel (or a lazy river), a zero-entry swimming pool, waterslides, a ten-person whirlpool with a waterfall, and fountains. Guests to the Abe Martin Lodge for overnight accommodations are given water park wristbands which serve as an entry pass to the aquatic center. The number of wristbands a guest receives depends on how big or small their room is.
When exhausted, guests can purchase more water park wristbands for $15 which is the same price visitors to the Aquatic Center pay for day passes.
The park is open every day, all year round. There is never a bad time to visit this beautiful water park and lots of activities are available for everyone, there is no age limit to having fun at this waterpark. Visitors can also engage in water-sports by teaming up with their friends, family, or even people they met at the pack to play some water volleyball or basketball.
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3. Indy Island Aquatic Center
Credit: WTHR
📍Map It: 8575 E Raymond St, Indianapolis, IN 46239
Phone: (317)-862-6876
Hours: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 12 PM - 5 PM
Entrance: Adults: $5 on Weekdays - $6 on weekends, Children age 3-17: $4, Age 2 and under: Free
The Indy Island Aquatic Center is one of the best indoor water parks in Indiana. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the aquatic center is a beauty to appreciate.
This indoor waterpark is open all seasons so visitors are never worried about being there to see it closed. The off-season period (usually winter) that causes most water parks to shut down does not affect the Indy Island Aquatic Center. Do you have some free time and wish to spend it playing in the pool but the weather seems to be in the way? Well, it is for that same reason that the Indy Island Aquatic Center is set up.
The waterpark makes sure exciting activities are put in place for its guests at all times. One of the perks of the Indy Island Aquatic Center is its climate control mechanisms.
Not minding if it's blazing hot or freezing outside, climate control mechanisms like air conditioners and heaters have been installed in the park to make sure that the atmosphere around the facility is always conducive for visitors to play. This water park is ideal for both kids and grownups alike as there are activities fit for both categories. Adults can get their heart rate pumping while sliding on the Yellow, snaky water, big slide.
This 15-foot-tall water slide is quite huge and very beautiful in a way that catches the eye of visitors at the point of entry. It sends you through several twists and turns before it spits you out into a warm body of water, causing a splash.
There is zero-entry swimming that is ideal for little children to swim in, it is less than 3ft deep. The area designated for children is also equipped with a playhouse that has slides, sprays, geysers, and stairs for the kids to climb on. The children's playhouse features an entryway that takes you straight to the water. This is very helpful for kids who have special needs. Indy Island Aquatic Center makes its facilities easy to access, putting everyone in mind.
Even though Indy Island Aquatic Center is not the biggest water park in Indiana, it has so many features that easily make it one of the most complete and qualified to be referred to as a total recreational center.
4. Monon Community Center
📍Map It: 1195 Central Park Dr. W, Carmel, IN 46032, United States
Phone: (317)-848-7275
Hours: Monday - Friday: 5 AM - 9 PM, Saturday/Sunday: 7 AM - 7 PM
Entrance: Adults: $15, Children 10 and younger: $7
The Monon Community Center located in Central Park, Carmel, Indiana is your go-to place for everything fitness, leisure, and recreation. Monon Community Center comprises several social essential facilities. This includes an indoor water park, a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor tracks, a three-court gymnasium, and KidZone child care.
The Monon Community Center is a combined recreational park that has both an indoor and an outdoor water park facility.
The outdoor park is seasonal, only open during Summer and Memorial Day weekend Saturdays through to the Monday that follows Labor Day Weekend. There are lots of exciting features to partake in at Monon Community Center aquatics park, this variety of fun options qualifies it to be one of the best Waterparks in Indiana.
Visitors to the park are treated to one of the main staples of every good waterpark, a water slide. What is a water park without slides?
The Waterpark at Monon Community Center is equipped with two amazing water slides that have you riding down a winding path. There is a blue water slide and a red water slide. If you choose to ride on blue, this covered and enclosed water slide tube has you going down in several twists and some sharp turns. The blue on the other hand is only partially enclosed and contains fewer twists and turns.
Whichever of these tubes you choose to ride, your excitement is guaranteed. The water slides in the Monon Community Center are just around where the Lazy River is.
The ⅛ mile-long Lazy River at the waterpark lets you just sit back on a tube, kick your feet up, relax and float around with your friends or family. The lazy river is the main attraction at the Monon Community Center waterpark and as a result, is situated at the center of the park.
There is also the FlowRider. For those who are ardent fans of surfing, this is the real deal. The Waterpark at Monon Community Center brings you waves rushing at 30 mph with their ultimate surf machine, the FlowRider.
Other major attractions at the park are the Cabanas, Plunge Slides, Concessions, Kiddies Pool, Lap, and Activity Pool. The fun does not stop at the waterpark alone, visitors also get to experience breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain. There are nature trails in the area and various recreation programs that are fit for visitors of every age and skill level.
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5. Splash Island Indoor Aquatic Center
📍Map It: 651 Vestal Rd, Plainfield, Indiana 46168
Phone: (317)-839-7665
Hours: Saturday/Sunday: 20:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Entrance: Adults: $8 for Plainfield residents, $13 for Non-residents, Infants One year and younger: Free
The enormous Splash Island Aquatic Center is a seasonal outdoor water park that also features an indoor aquatic center that is equipped with as many fun-filled activities as the outdoors. The tropical-themed Splash Island Waterpark sits on 4.3 acres and is situated in the Hendricks County Is Plainfield area. Known for its family-oriented activities, this water park is usually open for most seasons of the year, either partially or completely.
This beautiful oasis is open to individuals and families who seek a getaway of utmost excitement and memorable experiences for the summer break or during spring.
Splash Island at Plainfield Recreation Center believes that having fun in and by the water should not be a spring or summer activity alone, people should be able to surf the waves and ride the slides in winter and the rest of the seasons too. The Splash Island Indoor Aquatic Center makes provisions for visitors to the facility to have as much fun as they would have during summer at every other time of the year.
Splash Island's indoor water park to the West of Indianapolis is arguably one of the state's finest. The indoor water park is set up with state-of-the-art equipment that is confirmed safe for use by both adults and children.
The Indoor water park has a zero-entry swimming pool that makes it very easy for children, seniors, and pregnant women to get in the water. There is also a shallow play area suitable for children who are not very familiar with the art of swimming. Splash Island Indoor park's facilities are specially designed to cater to the entire family. The toys, sports, and activities provided at the water park are all very family-friendly. Splash Island makes provision for a spacious changing area and family locker room.
The indoor water park has a children's play area, a running track, a giant water slide, and exercise and fitness equipment. There is a competition standard six-lane swimming pool with a diving well that features two springboards measuring 1 Meter.
The same ticket that admits you to the outdoor Splash Island will also gain you entry into the indoor water park facilities.
6. Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center
Credit: Banning Engineering
📍Map It: 651 Vestal Rd, Plainfield, Indiana 46168
Phone: 317-839-7665
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 5:30 AM - 8:00 PM, Sundays: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Entrance: Adults: $8-$13 Infants One year and younger: Free
The Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center sits on a 20-acre expanse of land, situated along Vestal Road, Plainfield, Indiana. This aquatic center features a wide array of awesome waterpark activities for all ages. One of the best Water Parks and recreation centers in Indiana, the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center was built to be the ideal fun spot for families. The recreation center is equipped with both indoor and outdoor waterpark facilities.
Richard A. Carlucci Aquatic Center is your one-stop destination for all things recreation. There are tons of toys and activities to engage the entire family, with very little chance of getting bored because each activity comes with its excitement.
Some exciting features available for guests in the recreation and aquatic center include Swimming pools in different sizes, a media center, a gym, fitness trails, basketball courts, and an exclusive self-contained indoor play area. To ensure the safety of guests, provide the best customer satisfaction, and also make sure that its facilities are up to date, the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center usually undergo an annual maintenance closure.
It is only during this one-week annual closure that the indoor water park is ever unavailable to the public. The park management uses this period to repair faulty equipment and replace those that are beyond repair.
New activities are also installed in the park if there is a need for them. This is done to keep the facility at the top of its game and retain its spot as one of Indiana's best water parks.
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7. Krannert Park Family Center
Credit: Indy Star
📍Map It: 605 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46241
Phone: (317) 327-7375
Hours: Mon - Thu 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Fri 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, closed on Sundays
Entrance: Adults: $3-$5 Children: Free
Krannert Park Family Center, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, is part of the Indy Parks and Recreation. The Center offers guests of the Park fun and exercise with different programs and activities.
The Krannert Park Family Center is a combination of an indoor water park and an outdoor aquatic center. The outdoor waterpark is seasonal, it is usually only open during Summer and closed for the rest of the year.
While the Krannert Park Family Center's indoor facilities are usually open at all times except on Sundays when it is closed. The indoor water park serves fun-seekers the whole seasons of the year.
The indoor water park features a six-lane swimming pool, water slides, fitness center, and weight room, and also offers swimming classes. The facility is built in a partially wooded area so visitors can feel the ambiance and serenity of nature.
Pro Tip
Going to a water park is fun and relaxing, and to have fun and make memories at the park, we need to make our trips as
easy as possible. When you go to the park, you don't want to worry about dropping your phone or anything else in it or
getting splashed.
To take your phone with you, it's wise to buy a waterproof phone pouch. These pouches will protect
your device. Buy buying a cheap and custom lanyard, you can free up your hands and hang your phone, keys, wallet and
other important items on it. It will make it easier for you to enjoy this playdate.
Tobi Miles is a University of Florida graduate turned globe-trotting culinary explorer and digital nomad expert. As the founder of "Bytes & Bites," he combines his passion for international cuisine with practical advice on remote work, inspiring others to experience the world through food and cultural immersion. With 32 countries under his belt and a knack for uncovering hidden culinary gems, Tobi is redefining the intersection of work, travel, and gastronomy for a new generation of adventurers.