Did you know the “Waterpark Capital of the World” sits in the heart of southern Wisconsin? It’s true—Wisconsin Dells is home to nearly two dozen waterparks, the highest concentration of indoor and outdoor waterparks on Earth!
Whether you want to leisurely float down a lazy river or zoom down a heart-pounding waterslide, you’re sure to find something to fit your speed in Wisconsin Dells.
Here’s a closer look at some of the Dells’ most iconic rides.
The Smoke That Thunders – Kalahari
Can you conquer Kalahari’s newest slide? The first of its kind in the country, this thriller is a combination of two wild rides into one: first, a steep drop sends you spinning around a giant funnel, then a second fall shoots you up a wall, hanging nearly vertical until splashing down to the end. Hold on tight!
Raja – Noah’s Ark
This king cobra-themed slide is the newest addition to Noah’s Ark and one of the park’s most extreme rides. Grab a friend and race side-by-side through a path of twists, turns and drops, before you’re both plunged nearly 40 feet (12m) down into the mouth of the massive snake. Starting from six stories high and reaching speeds up to 32 miles an hour (50 km/h), this one’s not for the faint-hearted!
Demon’s Drop – Mt. Olympus
Follow the sound of screams to the top of Demon’s Drop, one of the world’s steepest and fastest waterslides. The 85-foot drop is almost straight down, giving the feeling of free-falling until the water catches up to you at the bottom.
Black Anaconda – Noah’s Ark
At over a quarter of a mile (0.5km) long, Black Anaconda is one of America’s longest water roller coasters. You’ll be going up, down and all around as the coaster’s rushing waters blast you up six humps, sending you spiraling down through pitch black turns. You’ll be white knuckling this one for sure!
Flyan Myan – Chula Vista
Speaking of water coasters, the Flyan Myan is one of the fastest there is, so you know you’re in for a wild ride. Your heart will be racing as you soar across the ceiling of this massive indoor waterpark—just don’t look down!
Howlin’ Tornado – Great Wolf Lodge
Your whole crew can slide together on this four-person raft ride, a family favorite at the Great Wolf Lodge. Shoot down one big drop and you’ll be plunged into a six-story funnel of fun, gliding up and down the walls until the final splashdown.
Screaming Hyena – Kalahari
Lots of waterslides start up high…but how many start through the roof? That’s right—you’ll climb 60 feet (18m) above the waterpark floor to take on the Screaming Hyena, all the way up to the park’s roof. Step inside, hold your breath and wait for the trapdoor to open below your feet, sending you plummeting at 25mph (40 km/h) back down to the park!
Dragon’s Tail – Mt. Olympus
Located right next to Demon’s Drop, Dragon’s Tail may look like the tamer of the two, but don’t be fooled. This speed slide is a thrill in its own right; start from a towering seven stories up and rocket down two big bumps to the finish—the second drop will surprise you!
Black Thunder – Noah’s Ark
We’d tell you to just close your eyes and go down Black Thunder, but it doesn’t really matter—you won’t be seeing anything anyways! Prepare to be engulfed in total blackness on these four tube slides, where twists, loops and drops lurk around every corner.
Sahara Sidewinders – Kalahari
3…2…1…Go! When the countdown ends, it’s off to the races on these side-by-side looping slides, each shooting you down an almost vertical drop before spinning around a 360-degree loop. Whoosh past flashing colors and rushing water as you see who can make it to the finish line first!
Looking for more fun at Wisconsin’s waterparks? Check out these top indoor rides and slides!
A version of this article originally appeared on TravelWisconsin.com.
