Home to one of Tennessee’s largest indoor water parks, Wilderness at the Smokies is a fun-filled family destination that rolls luxury accommodations and world-class attractions into one. The family-focused resort is located north of Sevierville across from the Sevierville Convention Center on Old Knoxville Highway. Unlike other water parks in the area, those located inside Wilderness at the Smokies are exclusive to resort guests. In fact, they’re included in the cost of your stay, so you won’t have to beat the outside crowds vying for a daily admission ticket.
Rooms at Wilderness at the Smokies are contemporary yet rustic. They’re reminiscent of a mountain cabin, with some suites offering bunk beds. You can also book an off-site golf villa if you prefer to spend your vacation on the green. Every room and suite at the resort features flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi access, microwaves, fridges, and coffee makers. Suites add kitchens and family rooms with fireplaces.
While the rooms are warm and inviting, there’s too much to do at Wilderness at the Smokies to stay inside. Resort amenities include an indoor adventure center with a climbing wall and ropes course, indoor and outdoor water parks, a fitness room, a business center, and on-site dining options. Best of all, guests age 8 and under eat free with an adult.
The Wild WaterDome Indoor Waterpark
The largest of the parks, boasting 66,000 square feet of space and an innovative glass roof that lets in the sunshine. Thanks to the Wild WaterDome’s indoor construction, the park is open year-round regardless of the weather, making the resort an ideal destination during the winter. The Wild WaterDome offers a hair-raising thrill ride that plummets guests down a dark tunnel, a 10,000-square-foot wave pool, tube slides, a hot spa, an indoor raft ride, a body-surf rider, and multilevel water play feature called Washout Mountain.
The resort’s Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark
Open on weekends at the River Lodge. It offers a new splash-and-play water feature, a cabana forest, and a thrilling Cyclone Racer. Lake Wilderness is also the place to find some of the area’s largest water slides. Whether you want to relax on the pool deck and work on your tan, tube down the lazy river, or get swept up in the wave pool, this outdoor water park delivers. And, if you prefer the VIP treatment, reserve a private cabana, which includes your own personal cabana host.
Finally, the Salamander Springs Outdoor Waterpark
Situated at Stone Hill Lodge. This park offers 150-foot-long body and tube slides, a 500-gallon dump bucket, a multilevel play and spray feature, a zero-depth toddler area, and a huge hot tub. Play some water ball in the Catfish Corral Activity Pool, or ride down one of the state’s longest waterslides: The Timber Rattler.
In addition to its world-class water parks, Wilderness at the Smokies offers plenty of activities that don’t involve water. Adventure Forest, the 25,000-square-foot indoor family adventure center, gives you the chance to dry off with a variety of games and challenges. Navigate the Tree Top Towers ropes course, play laser tag in the Fury in the Forest, rock climb Mount Wild, or master the Copperhead laser maze. Slow down at Moonshine Run blacklight mini-golf, or mini-bowl at the Howlin’ Hound Dog Alley.
These fun-filled, indoor attractions are included with the resort’s All Day & All Stay Adventure Pass, which gives you unlimited admission to the best indoor attractions in the Smokies.
As if all this isn’t enough, you can also hold your child’s birthday party at Wilderness at the Smokies. Party rooms and packages are designed to meet your group’s every need, whether you’re traveling as a small family or with more than 25 friends.
Wilderness at the Smokies also accommodates business meetings, family reunions, sporting events, conventions, and weddings. Just call ahead to discuss your options.
Insider Tips:
-Don’t forget that kids eat free at the Thirsty Miner and Hidden Trail restaurants with the purchase of an adult buffet. Both restaurants offer buffet-style dining for breakfast, with the Thirsty Miner extending the buffet to dinner. When the buffet is not available at either location, kids can choose an item from the kids’ menu. Other restaurants at the resort include the Coyote Cove snack bar and Mountain Marketplace and Deli, but you’ll save money on food by taking advantage of the free children’s meals.
-Don’t worry about bringing your own life jackets. Life vests and tubes are provided by the water park.
-They do not sell tickets to the public – only guests are able to access this waterpark.