Amazing Indoor Water Parks Near DC for Families

When It's cold outside and the kids want to splash and swim, head to one of these top indoor water parks near DC.

Winter can be cold and dreary in the Washington, DC region. With outdoor water parks, swimming pools, and splash pads closed, many area families pack away their swim gear until summer returns. But you don’t need warm weather to enjoy a fun water adventure with your family. There are plenty of indoor water parks near DC that are sure to guarantee splashes and laughs for kids, whether you want a simple afternoon outing or an all-day excursion.

We've rounded up 13 great indoor water parks for families that are all less than a three-hour drive from DC. So dig out those goggles and swimsuits and get ready to make a splash!

For more indoor fun in DC, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for DC Kids.

These indoor water parks are listed below from closest to farthest.

Fun Indoor Water Parks Near DC for Families

1. Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center — Arlington, VA

This large wellness center is open to the public and includes a fun indoor leisure pool that appeals to kids of all ages. The indoor pool features a water slide, a lazy river, an in-pool playground, and other entertaining water-play features.

2. Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool — Chillum, MD

Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool is a great indoor pool for families. The kids’ area includes a pirate ship-themed in-pool playground with slides, spray fountains, and shallow water. Other areas for bigger kids feature tunnel slides, a bridge to swim under, fountains, and lots of space to swim and play.

3. The St. James Indoor Water Park — Springfield, VA

The interactive water park inside the St. James Sports Complex's Super, Awesome, & Amazing kids’ area features multiple water slides, interactive sprayers, and giant water-dumping buckets that bring lots of splashes and smiles all year long.

RELATED: 10 Best Water Parks in the US for Kids

4. Germantown Indoor Swim Center — Boyds, MD

This large indoor swimming complex offers lap and recreational swimming; swim, scuba, and diving classes; and more. The kids' play area is tropical-themed, with faux palm trees and rocky ledges and walls. Numerous slides, including a multi-story slide with two tracks to pick from, invite little ones to slip and splash for hours. There’s also a splash playground to enjoy.

5. Cub Run Rec Center Leisure Pool — Chantilly, VA

Families have long been drawn to the indoor water park at Cub Run Rec Center, which features a lazy river, two large winding water slides (20 and 30 feet tall), a water vortex, and zero-depth entry. In January 2023, the park also got a shiny new play structure for younger kids with small slides, water jets, cannons, and spray features.

RELATED: Best Outdoor Water Parks Near DC for Family Fun

 
It's not your average swimming pool at Claude Moore Rec Center. Photo courtesy of the rec center

6. Claude Moore Rec Center Leisure Pool — Sterling, VA

The leisure pool at Claude Moore Rec Center is open to the public and features a giant water slide, a children’s play area, a lazy river, and a large free-play swimming area. It's one of the most affordable options on our list, too—a family of five can get in for little more than $15 for a full day!

7. Freedom Aquatic and Swim Center — Manassas, VA

The heated indoor leisure pool at Freedom Aquatic and Swim Center has a zero-entry area, a shallow water playground with tumble buckets, a serpentine slide, a current channel, and a swirling vortex.

8. Dulles South Recreation and Community Center Leisure Pool — South Riding, VA

Dulles South Rec has an entertaining indoor water park with a 125-foot water slide, a children’s play area, a hot tub, a water vortex, a lazy river, and a free-play swimming area. With a family of up to five people costing just over $15 for the day, this is a great place for inexpensive family fun.

RELATED: Great Wolf Lodge Maryland: An In-Depth Review

 
North Arundel Aquatic Center's indoor water park has fun features for toddlers through big kids. Photo courtesy of the aquatic center

9. North Arundel Aquatic Center — Glen Burnie, MD

This aquatic center is home to an indoor water park with lots of fun family options. The pool has a zero-depth entry and exciting water features like a 134-foot water slide, a splash-down area, dumping water buckets, a preschool water slide, and a water vortex. There’s also a poolside spa for adults. Kids must be at least 3 years old and completely potty-trained, and no swim diapers are allowed.

10. Warrenton Aquatic & Rec Facility — Warrenton, VA

Warrenton Aquatic & Rec Facility is open to the public and features a 68,000-gallon indoor water park and leisure pool for families. Come enjoy a water slide, a lazy river, a water vortex, and zero-depth entry for toddlers.

Family Resorts with Indoor Water Parks Near DC

11. Great Wolf Lodge Perryville — Perryville, MD

Great Wolf Lodge's Baltimore-area location opened in June 2023 and is less than a two-hour drive from DC. Its 128,000-square-foot indoor water park, kept at a balmy 84 degrees, offers loads of thrills for all ages. There are 22 water slides of various sizes, a four-story water treehouse with interactive elements, a lazy river, a wave pool, various splash areas, water basketball, and more. Children 2 and under are free.

RELATED: Best Family Resorts with Water Parks: All-Inclusive Family Resorts and More

 
There are plenty of ways to make a splash at Massanutten Resort's indoor water park. Photo courtesy of the resort

12. Massanutten Water Park — Massanutten, VA

At Massanutten Resort (a roughly 2.5-hour drive from DC), the indoor water park is always heated to 84 degrees. Families can enjoy the interactive water fortress, inflatable adventures, body slides, exciting pools, hot tubs, and a lazy river. They can also try surfing on the FlowRider Endless Wave. This water park is so much fun, it made our list of the best indoor water parks in the US. Buy tickets in advance on the website; kids 2 and under are free.

13. Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg — Williamsburg, VA

This ultimate Virginia water park less than three hours from DC by car also made our list of the country's best indoor water parks. Every member of the family will find something enjoyable in this 84-degree water wonderland, including water slides of all shapes and sizes. Fort Mackenzie is a four-story water-fort treehouse with slides and spray toys. There’s also a wave pool, a toddler water playground with smaller slides, a kiddie swimming pool, a lazy river, and a surf simulator. Kids 2 and under are free.