It seemed to take awhile, but the summer weather has finally arrived. Now it’s time to celebrate! There is no better way to celebrate the summer heat other then spending time cooling off from it! And there is no better way to cool off other then enjoying a day filled with sun and surf at one of South Dakota’s water parks.

Wild Water West, located in Sioux Falls, is one of South Dakota’s larger water parks. Combining sun and slides, Wild Water West is the perfect spot for sun worshipers and thrill seekers alike.

For those seeking adventure while at Wild Water West, try all four major slides at the waterslide complex. It includes a body slide and tube slide, and two six-story speed slides. Plummets Peak, a straight drop into a refreshing splash pool, will be sure to get your adrenaline pumping. On the Black Hole you are dropped through a pitch black tunnel and then eventually see the light of day as you rush towards a splash pool waiting for you at the bottom. Or, try the wave pool, the newest attraction at Wild Water West that is filled with 500,000 gallons of water!

If a day of relaxing in the water is more your style then I would recommend grabbing a tube and floating down the lazy river. Over 21? Float your way in from the lazy river and stop at the connecting swim-up bar for a refreshing adult beverage.

A lazy river, waterpark playground, and arcade games are all a part of the WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort. The convenience and quality of waterpark attractions make WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort a cool family getaway regardless of the time of year.Looking to cool off while out west? Visit WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort for the ultimate family getaway! Connected to two hotels, visiting WaTiki Indoor Waterpark is easy. The climate controlled indoor waterpark features six slides, including a body slide that travels through Sliders restaurant bar and grill. Also featured is the Superbowl Slide. The Superbowl Slides allows you or you and a partner to ride on an inner-tube in an enclosed tube before dropping you into a giant bowl for a few swirls and then cruising out to the bottom of the slide.

Wild Water West and WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort are just two of many different water parks in our state. Try Rushmore Slides near Keystone or Evans Plunge in Hot Springs for other unique water park getaways.

So unfold that oversized beach towel, grab the sunscreen, and cool off from the summer heat at one of South Dakota’s great water parks.

Splish, splash, cannon-ball! Probably not outdoors in the winter months up here in South Dakota. But wait, South Dakota has several indoor water parks allowing families to enjoy the splash and echo of a cannonball year round.

Watiki Waterpark, Rapid City, SD

Watiki Waterpark in Rapid City is a popular destination year-round destination for families. This is the largest waterpark resort in the Dakotas. It boasts over 30,000 square feet of waterpark and concessions. If you’re planning an overnight stay in Rapid City, enjoy your choice of 250 hotels rooms attached to the waterpark. No more frozen kiddos to bundle up after an afternoon of swimming. Check their website for rates, operating hours and more information about this great spot for a winter getaway in South Dakota.

Natural spring water flows from a thermal spring in Hot Springs at about 5,000 gallons per minute. Families of all ages can enjoy this rejuvenating warm water at Evans Plunge – the World’s largest natural warm water (87 degrees), indoor swimming pool. People have enjoyed this water for over one hundred years. Today, kids can enjoy this indoor waterpark complete with waterslides, Tarzan rings, fun tubes and kiddy pools while mom and dad relax in the warm water.

Many Ramkota hotels in South Dakota have indoor water play areas on site. The addition of indoor water parks makes a big difference in how excited a kid will get when entering a hotel pool. Check out each of these locations to see what you can find at Ramkota Hotel in South Dakota:

            Best Western Ramkota Hotel Aberdeen, South Dakota
            Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center Rapid City, South Dakota
            Best Western Ramkota Hotel Sioux Falls, South Dakota

The Ramada Inn and Suite of Sioux Falls has Buccaneer Bay – an indoor water park that also is conveniently located inside the hotel. This Ramada Hotel is only a mile away from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and only 3 miles from Downtown Sioux Falls, which is filled with adventures for the whole family.

The kids by now are ready to practice their backstroke and butterfly (and cannonballs of course), and wash away the winter blues. So, make South Dakota your winter getaway and enjoy one of several water parks.