Make a Splash: South Dakota’s Best Water Parks & Pools

At South Dakota’s indoor and outdoor water parks, wave pools rise and crash, tube slides twist, and lazy rivers drift along at an easy pace. Balance across floating obstacle courses, scramble up a climbing wall or go head-to-head in a game of water basketball — then slow things down with a soak in mineral springs or a dip in a bubbling hot tub. Here’s a look at everything South Dakota’s water parks and pools have to offer.

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort®

Rapid City

WaTiki® Indoor Waterpark Resort, the Dakotas’ largest indoor waterpark, creates a tropical setting any time of year with colorful waterslides, palm trees, beach chairs and even a bar by the water. Float along the lazy river, spin in a tornado-shaped bowl, or brace for laughter and heavy showers as a giant bucket tips overhead. Ready to do it all again the next day? Waterpark access is included with your stay at five adjacent hotels. 

Wild Water West

Sioux Falls

At South Dakota’s Wild Water West, everyone stays entertained thanks to all-ages attractions like Caribbean Falls, where water cannons fire off in every direction and a 1,000-gallon tip bucket sends water cascading below. Elsewhere in the park, a 65-foot tower sends riders racing down five slides. It’s also home to the only wave pool in the Dakotas, where swimmers can catch the rhythm of ocean-like swells.

Evans Plunge

Hot Springs

Evans Plunge, the Black Hills’ oldest attraction, is a year-round indoor water park fed by 87-degree mineral water. Swirly slides, monkey bars and water basketball hoops keep little ones busy for hours. For everyone else, bubbling hot tubs, saunas and a misty steam room slow things down when it’s time for a break.

Splash Central Waterpark

Huron

Splash Central Waterpark drops you 10 feet into the pool below, and you can scramble your way across inflatable obstacle courses. At the diving boards, 1- and 3-meter platforms leave room to jump, flip and launch headfirst into the pool. The park’s signature ride, the Master Blaster, will have you waving your hands in delight as you take on a 400-foot run.

Aberdeen Aquatic Center

Aberdeen

With water slides, a lazy river and a tipping bucket, Aberdeen Aquatic Center has everything you need for a day of fun. Hop on a tube and hold on for dear life. Speed down a bodyslide. Diving boards are perfect for testing out new flips, and an in-water playground keeps imaginations running wild for little ones.

Buccaneer Bay

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls' Ramada Hotel & Suites features Buccaneer Bay, an indoor waterpark that shifts your overnight stay into a splash-filled adventure. Kids won’t even know where to begin, from the park’s two-story slide to water basketball and volleyball — and even a pirate ship that brings out a few “Arrr, mateys!” Alongside the action, soothing hot tubs and poolside bars offers parents a more laid-back side of the park.

Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center

Spearfish

At the all-outdoor Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center, wait for the 400-gallon dump bucket to come crashing down at the playground. Lean back and feel your body glide down curving slides or hold on tight as you make your way up the climbing wall.

Huether Family Aquatics Center

Yankton

Push against the current in a vortex pool at Huether Family Aquatics Center. Keep the energy going by bodysliding into the pool and weaving through spray zones. See how high you can go on the poolside climbing wall and line up your best shot in a friendly game of water basketball.

Watertown Family Aquatic Center

Watertown

The Watertown Family Aquatic Center excites everyone with a frog slide, in-water playground, ninja-cross obstacle course with monkey bars, and spiraling rides. There’s also a lazy river to float, drop slides to try, and a full-service concession stand when you’re looking for a snack.

Don't stop there!

• Get out on the water with more South Dakota water sports
• Plan a family getaway with our kid-friendly vacation guide
• Feel the oh-so-soothing heat in Hot Springs
• Download a South Dakota passport for prizes as you explore