Nothing says "summer" like splashing in the sunshine – it's no wonder water parks have become such a popular option for traveling families (or those looking for a stay-cation). According to the World Waterpark Association, there are more than 1,200 water parks in the United States, and 10Best teamed up with our readers to find the best in the nation.
After four weeks of intense voting, Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells, the "Waterpark Capital of the World," took home the title of Best Outdoor Water Park.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Outdoor Water Park are as follows:
- Wilderness Resort - Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
- Splashin' Safari - Santa Claus, Ind.
- Schlitterbahn New Braunfels - New Braunfels, Texas
- Aquatica Orlando - Orlando
- Water World - Denver
- Aquatica San Antonio - San Antonio
- Noah's Ark - Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
- Water Country USA - Williamsburg, Va.
- Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe - Greensboro, N.C.
- Dollywood's Splash Country - Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Joanne DiBona (Scenic Photos), Eileen Ogintz (Taking the Kids) and Dave Parfitt (AdventuresbyDaddy.com) were chosen based on their extensive knowledge of American water parks.
Other nominees for Best Outdoor Water Park included Adventure Island, Aquatica San Diego, Disney's Blizzard Beach, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Knott's Soak City Orange County, Raging Waters San Dimas, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Soak City and White Water in Branson.
10Best and USA TODAY extend their congratulations to all the winners.
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The Experts
Joanne DiBona
You'll never see Joanne without a camera or two... Read More
You'll never see Joanne without a camera or two strapped around her neck as she travels around the world, together with her photographer husband Tony, to unearth new and exciting destinations to share with her readers. Her professional career includes a long tenure in communications with the San Diego Tourism Authority, where she gained expertise with both the camera and the descriptive word. When she’s not adding fresh images to her SCENIC PHOTOGRAPHY website, she's posting her current adventures on her popular TRAVEL BLOG Joanne is a member of the esteemed Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).
Joanne DiBona

You'll never see Joanne without a camera or two strapped around her neck as she travels around the world, together with her photographer husband Tony, to unearth new and exciting destinations to share with her readers. Her professional career includes a long tenure in communications with the San Diego Tourism Authority, where she gained expertise with both the camera and the descriptive word. When she’s not adding fresh images to her SCENIC PHOTOGRAPHY website, she's posting her current adventures on her popular TRAVEL BLOG Joanne is a member of the esteemed Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).
Eileen Ogintz
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family... Read More
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family travel, is the author of the Tribune Interactive syndicated column Taking the Kids that appears around the country, creator of the popular website TakingtheKids.com and co-chair of the TMS Family Travel Conference which draws top family travel influencers and major travel brands. She is the author of the 11-book Kids Guideseries; The Kid’s Guide to Acadia National Park is being released in April 2019. The Kid’s Guide to NYC is now in its 3d edition and The Kid’s Guide to Washington, DC the second edition.
Eileen Ogintz

Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family travel, is the author of the Tribune Interactive syndicated column Taking the Kids that appears around the country, creator of the popular website TakingtheKids.com and co-chair of the TMS Family Travel Conference which draws top family travel influencers and major travel brands. She is the author of the 11-book Kids Guideseries; The Kid’s Guide to Acadia National Park is being released in April 2019. The Kid’s Guide to NYC is now in its 3d edition and The Kid’s Guide to Washington, DC the second edition.
Dave Parfitt
A reformed academic with a PhD in neuroscience,... Read More
A reformed academic with a PhD in neuroscience, Dave Parfitt began writing about his family travel adventures after surviving a trip to Walt Disney World as father of two budding princesses. As owner and editor of AdventuresbyDaddy.com, Dave offers family travel advice and escapist fun from Dad’s point of view. Dave’s travel articles and photos have appeared in US News & World Report, Fox News Travel, Huff Post, USAToday, Family Circle Magazine, and more. He has appeared as a family travel expert on nationally syndicated radio shows, newspaper articles, and around the internet.
Dave Parfitt

A reformed academic with a PhD in neuroscience, Dave Parfitt began writing about his family travel adventures after surviving a trip to Walt Disney World as father of two budding princesses. As owner and editor of AdventuresbyDaddy.com, Dave offers family travel advice and escapist fun from Dad’s point of view. Dave’s travel articles and photos have appeared in US News & World Report, Fox News Travel, Huff Post, USAToday, Family Circle Magazine, and more. He has appeared as a family travel expert on nationally syndicated radio shows, newspaper articles, and around the internet.