There comes a point during the winter when it’s very, very fair to want to get the heck away from the cold — and what screams “summer” more than a water park? Luckily, it’s not hard to find a great indoor water park in Denver for the whole family to enjoy.
Whether you’re into splashing around in the kiddie area, floating down a lazy river, bombing down an epic water slide, or just hanging out in the hot tub (no judgment), there’s sure to be the perfect indoor pool experience in Denver for you.
That’s why we rounded up this list of recreation centers and hotels that have the best indoor water parks in and around the Mile High City. See our recommendations below.
Indoor Water Parks Near Denver
Apex Center
13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada, Colorado, 80005
- Fees: Daily admission is $6 for resident kids 2-17 ($10 for non-residents), $7.50 for adults 18-61 ($12 for non-residents), $6 for adults older than $62 ($10 for non-residents), $5 for military, and $4 for spectators.
- Hours: Winter pool hours are 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Amenities: Indoor water park, “play pool,” hot tubs, and dedicated lap pool.
This 23,000-square-foot wonderland is easily one of the best indoor Denver water parks. The Apex Center truly has everything, from a curved 150-foot slide with a waterfall to a special vortex area that even has a moving current. If that’s too much for you or the kiddos, there are lots of other places to explore, including a beach area equipped with slides, fountains, waterfalls, and geysers. Moms and dads can watch all of this activity happen while relaxing in one of the multiple hot tubs or getting a workout in the special lap pool. For the price point, this is easily a top indoor water park in Denver and beyond.
Central Park Recreation Center
9651 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Denver, Colorado, 80238
- Fees: Prices vary based on memberships and where your family lives, but day passes can run for $2-4. Find more information here.
- Hours: Pool hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
- Amenities: Lap pool, leisure pool, lazy river, and hot tubs.
This epic indoor water park near Denver is the perfect family getaway, whether you want to chill out in the lazy river, have some friendly competition thanks to the three water basketball hoops, bomb down the water slide, or just splash around in the kiddie pool (yes, there are plenty of fun fountains to enjoy too). Since it’s a Denver recreation center, it’s also at an affordable price point for residents, making it a great family-friendly spot that won’t break the bank.
Golden Community Center
1470 10th St., Golden, Colorado, 80401
- Fees: Resident day passes are $4.25 for kids under 5 ($6 for non-residents), $6.25 for youth 6-17 ($7.75 for non-residents), $8 for adults 18-64 ($9.75 for non-residents), and $6.50 for seniors over 65 ($8 for non-residents)
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday (the big slide turns on at 11:30 a.m.), and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
- Amenities: Lap lanes, leisure pool, fountains, water slide.
Golden might be famous for its outdoor activities, but it also happens to have one of the best Denver indoor water parks. Your kids will be all about trying their hand at making it across an obstacle course of floating logs, and everyone will love the water fountains and 130-foot spiral water slide. Don’t worry: There’s also a smaller slide for younger swimmers.
Montclair Recreation Center
729 Ulster Way, Denver, Colorado, 80230
- Fees: Prices vary based on memberships and where your family lives, but day passes can run for $2-4. Find more information here.
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Amenities: Lap lanes, splash area, water slide.
This recreation center has one of the best indoor water parks in Denver. That’s thanks to its sizable pool, which includes special lanes for swimming laps as well as a spot just for families to play around in the water. In addition, there’s also a shallow splash area with numerous water features that are sure to provide hours of entertainment. If the family is feeling especially adventurous, take a plunge down the indoor water slide. This pool is one of the best affordable family activities in Denver, and it brings people from throughout the region.
Paul Derda Recreation Center
13201 Lowell Blvd., Broomfield, Colorado, 80020
- Fees: Broomfield resident drop-in fees are $3.50 for kids 2-17 ($6.25 for non-residents), $5 for adults 18-59 ($7.75 for non-residents), $4 for adults over 60 ($6.25 for non-residents).
- Hours: Pool schedules vary by day. See the latest hours here.
- Amenities: Slides, lazy rivers, spa, lap pool.
The Paul Derda Recreation Center is one of the best indoor water parks near Denver thanks to its numerous year-round amenities that are sure to keep the kids entertained for hours. This mini indoor water park includes everything from a lazy river to multiple types of slides (including one for toddlers), as well as two relaxing spas.
Parker Recreation Center
17301 Lincoln Ave., Parker, Colorado, 80134
- Fees: Day passes are $8 for youth and adults 15-61, and $7 for children 3-14 and seniors over 62.
- Hours: Pool activity times vary. See the full schedule here.
- Amenities: Lap pool, hot tub, lazy river, play feature, slide, and water climbing wall.
This recreation center near Denver also happens to have one of the best indoor water parks in the region. Whether you’re hoping to swim some laps or wade into the activity pool (which has a zero-depth entrance, plenty of play features, and a lazy river), there’s little chance you’ll be bored. Be sure to have the kids try their hands at the pool’s rock climbing wall (if they fall, they land in the water), as well as test their courage in the enclosed water slide.
Ridge Recreation Center
6613 S. Ward St., Littleton, Colorado, 80127
- Fees: Resident day passes are $4.25 for youth 2-17 ($5.75 for non-residents), $5.75 for adults 18-61 ($7.75 for non-residents), and $5 for those over 62 ($6.75 for non-residents).
- Hours: Pool hours vary. Check the rec center’s website for the latest details.
- Amenities: Lap pool, diving boards, hot tub, slides, special play structure.
This epic indoor water park near Littleton brings the outdoor experience inside (which is a delight during Colorado winters). This pool’s leisure pool has everything from a lazy river to floor geysers, a bubble bunch, a children’s play structure, a splash pad, and a body flume slide — meaning that it would be very easy to burn some excess energy and kill some time during a weekend afternoon. Parents can take turns indulging in the warm therapeutic pool — no kids are allowed, meaning it’s the perfect place for a relaxing experience.
Southridge Recreation Center
4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch, Colorado, 80130
- Fees: Guest passes are free for kids under 2, $6 for youth 2-11, $7 for 12-17-year-olds, $8 for adults from 18-54, and $7 for those older than $55.
- Hours: Pool schedules vary. Find the latest information here.
- Amenities: Lazy river, splash area for kids, water slide, lap pool, hot tubs.
The Southridge Recreation Center might be one of the newest such facilities in Highlands Ranch, but it’s already gained a reputation among local families as one of the best indoor water parks near Denver. That’s thanks to its expansive and clean pool area, which has everything from a relaxing lazy river to a cool splash area for kids to an indoor water slide that pretty much everyone with a heart will enjoy.
Hotels With Indoor Water Parks Near Denver
Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center
6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora, Colorado, 80019
- Fees: The pools are exclusive to hotel guests. Standard rooms start at $317 per night.
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
- Amenities: Indoor water slides, heated year-round outdoor pool, indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, adult hot tub, 720-foot lazy river (opens for the season in March).
If you’re looking for a staycation centered around an indoor water park in Denver, look no further than the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. This resort (which, beyond the pool, has a lot going on pretty much all the time) is home to a pretty epic pool area. It’s home to not only a zero-entry indoor pool but also a heated year-round outdoor pool that provides lovely mountain views. Thrillseekers can bomb down the two exhilarating indoor water slides, and guests who are more into relaxation can — if the season is right — chill out on the 720-foot lazy river, which winds through an aquatic garden of waterfalls, water jets, and bubblers. Once you’re done with the water experience (and ready to ditch the bathing suit), be sure to hang at one of the outdoor fire pits and toast some marshmallows.
Great Wolf Lodge
9494 Federal Dr., Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80921
- Fees: Water park is free with a hotel room (starting at $261 a night). Day passes are $40 for a full day or $38 for a half day).
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Amenities: Numerous water rides, interactive features, wave pool, tree house, and more.
This isn’t just a hotel with an indoor water park near Denver, Colorado — this is an entire experience, and one certainly worth the roughly one-hour drive from the Mile High City. Whether you opt to turn this into a mini vacation or just swing by for a day pass, you and the kids are sure to have just about the most fun time ever at this 50,000-square-foot facility that has pretty much everything a water park lover could dream of. Kids will love hopping on the indoor lily pads, scaling the four-story water treehouse, catching some surf in the wave pool, or testing their speed on the raceway. And we haven’t even mentioned the water slides, from the gentler options for younger kids to the six-story Howlin’ Tornado feature that thrillseekers will want to ride again and again.
