Amazing Indoor Water Parks Near DC for Families

This water park is so much fun, it made our list of the best indoor water parks in the US. Photo courtesy of Massanutten Resort
This water park is so much fun, it made our list of the best indoor water parks in the US. Photo courtesy of Massanutten Resort
1/23/22 - By Katie Sivinski

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 we're here to tell you that 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 14 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 Playspaces for DC Kids.

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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

This 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 include tunnel slides, a bridge to swim under, fountains, and lots of space to swim and play.

Indoor Water Parks Near DC: Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center 
Dive in, the water's fine. Photo courtesy of the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center, Facebook

3. Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center — Rockville, MD

This large indoor water facility has a leisure pool with a mushroom waterfall feature and extra-long water slides that run almost the entire length of the facility. The water slides and leisure pool are open on Fridays from 7-9pm and weekends from 2-7pm, with a break from 4-5-pm and from 2-5pm on Sundays.

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

The interactive water park inside the St. James Sports Complex's Super, Awesome, & Amazing kids’ area is open on weekends from 10am - 6pm. Multiple slides, interactive sprayers, and giant water-dumping buckets mean lots of splashes and smiles for the whole family all year long.

5. Columbia Swim Center — Columbia, MD

Columbia Swim Center features two 25-yard ADA-accessible indoor pools, a wading pool, an over-pool suspended rope swing, and a diving board. On Saturdays, families can also enjoy SplashDown, where they can body-slide down 720 feet of twisting and turning water slides from 3-7pm. Kids must be at least four feet tall to use the slides.

RELATED: 10 Best Water Parks in the US for Kids

Indoor Water Parks Near DC: Germantown Indoor Swim Center 
This kids' play area is tropical-themed, with faux palm trees. Photo courtesy of Hughes Group Architects

6. 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 invite little ones to slip and splash for hours, including a multi-story slide with two tracks to pick from. There’s also a splash playground to enjoy. Recreational swim is available in the afternoons most weekends, but check the latest schedule for details.

7. Cub Run Rec Center — Chantilly, VA

Open year-round, this indoor water park has something for all ages. The zero-depth entry will appeal to younger swimmers along with the in-water playground, water jets, cannons, and sprayers. Older kids will enjoy the lazy river, the 30-foot indoor slide, and the water vortex. Kids 4 and under are free with a paying adult.

RELATED: Best Outdoor Waterparks Near DC for Family Fun

Indoor Water Parks Near DC: Claude Moore Rec Center 
The water slide at the Claude Moore Rec Center is massive. Photo courtesy of louden.gov

8. Claude Moore Rec Center — Sterling, VA

This 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. On weekends, the play features and leisure pool are open from 11am - 7:45pm. It's one of the most affordable options on our list, too—a family of five can get in for only $16 for a full day!

9. Freedom Aquatic and Swim Center — Manassas, VA

This heated indoor pool has a zero-entry area, a shallow water playground with tumble buckets, a slide, a current channel, and a swirling vortex. The leisure pool is usually open on Saturdays from 1-4pm, but check the website because hours are subject to change.

10. Dulles South Recreation and Community Center — 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. The slide and water features are open from 11am-7:45pm on weekends and from 5-7:45pm on weekdays. With a family of up to five people costing under $20 for the day, this is a great place for inexpensive family fun.

Indoor Water Parks Near DC: North Arundel Aquatic Center 
The pool at North Arundel Aquatic Center has a zero-depth entry. Photo courtesy of the center

11. North Arundel Aquatic Center — Glen Burnie, MD

This aquatic center features an indoor leisure pool 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. 

12. Warrenton Aquatic & Rec Facility — Warrenton, VA

This aquatic and recreation 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. Check the website for the latest hours. 

Indoor Water Parks Near DC: Massanutten Water Park  
Try surfing on the FlowRider Endless Wave at Massanutten Water Park. Photo courtesy of Massanutten Resort

13. 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 and ready for family thrills. 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 U.S. Buy tickets in advance on the website; kids 2 and under are free.

15. Great Wolf Lodge — Williamsburg, VA

This ultimate Virginia water park less than three hours from DC by car also made our list of best indoor water parks in the U.S. Every member of the family will find something enjoyable in this 84-degree water wonderland. Alberta Falls is a four-story tandem tube ride. 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 large raft slide for whole families. Older kids will enjoy the Howlin’ Tornado water slide and the Wolf River Wipeout, where they can test out their surfing skills. Kids 2 and under are free. 

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