Soaky Mountain Waterpark

Soaky Mountain Waterpark sits on 50 acres in Sevierville, making it one of the largest water parks in Tennessee. The park opened in 2020 and has quickly become a major draw for families visiting the Smoky Mountains area. The centerpiece is their massive wave pool called The Watershed, which generates 6-foot waves that'll knock you around in the best possible way.

The lazy river here is longer than most at nearly 1,000 feet, winding through landscaped areas that give you mountain views as you float. For thrill seekers, the highlight is their collection of high-speed water slides including multi-level racing slides and a massive funnel slide that drops you into a giant bowl. The kids area is well thought out with smaller slides, water features, and a huge tipping bucket that dumps hundreds of gallons every few minutes.

What sets Soaky Mountain apart is how they've designed it to handle crowds. Even on busy summer days, the lines move pretty quickly thanks to smart queue design and plenty of ride capacity. The park feels spacious too, so you're not constantly bumping into people.

I'd recommend arriving right when they open to grab a good spot for your stuff. The cabanas here are worth it if you're visiting with a group - they come with shade, seating, and storage, plus some include food service. Bring reef-safe sunscreen because you'll be in the sun most of the day, and consider water shoes since the concrete can get hot.

The food is typical water park fare but decent quality. This park works great for families with kids of all ages. The little ones have plenty to do in the kids area, while teens and adults can get their thrills on the bigger slides.

The mountain setting makes it feel more scenic than your average water park.