What is the Great Wolf Lodge?

Great Wolf Lodge is a massive, all-in-one indoor water park resort featuring dining, arcades, and family entertainment. In fact, it's one of the world’s largest indoor water parks, founded in 1997 by brothers Andrew and Jack Waterman, and currently has 23 locations across the United States and Canada.

It's a family-centric resort, so there are tons of activities for the little ones, and even kid-focused accommodations, like themed Wolf Den Suite with Northwoods-themed bunk beds. Great Wolf Lodge water park access is included in the cost of an overnight stay — both on the day you check in and the day you check out. And, to boot, the water park is climate controlled so that it's warm indoors no matter the temperature outside. This makes it an ideal year-round vacation destination for families.

Things to do at Great Wolf Lodge locations

Beyond splashing around in the Great Wolf Lodge water park, you and your family can dive into a ton of dry-land adventures, including interactive arcade games, mini-golf, live family entertainment, and immersive live-action games like MagiQuest. Plus, as a resort, there are on-site dining options, a fitness center, and retail shops to keep everyone entertained. Let's take a closer look at all there is to do, but do note that the specific attractions and features of the resort can vary among locations.

Family-fun activities

The Great Wolf staff works tirelessly to keep kids entertained throughout their stay. There are character appearances from the Great Wolf Pack and forest friends at various events, and they'll sing songs and tell stories before bedtime or in-between water slide fun or arcade games.

MagiQuest turns Great Wolf into your child’s own personal live-action game. They can choose their own magic wand and head off into the realm of Vellara to track clues, battle dragons, and save the forest's Sacred Trees from "a mysterious and shadowy force."

If your child loves to bowl, they’ll have a blast at Ten Paw Alley, a bowling alley with shorter lanes and smaller bowling balls. After a game of bowling, you can take them to Howl at the Moon Glow Golf (or called Howl in One Mini Golf at some resorts), where they can enjoy a glow-in-the-dark mini golf experience. Other fun activities for their mind and body include creative yoga sessions, an arts and crafts center, and nightly family dance parties that will wear out everyone before bed.

Great Wolf Lodge water park

The water park has no shortage of exciting slides. For older kids, there’s the Howlin’ Tornado, which stands six stories high and creates a funnel for groups of four to slide down. Younger ones will love Fort Mackenzie, which looks like a tall water tree house and features water toys, slides, and a giant dumping water bucket on top. Adventurous kiddos are sure to enjoy the Hydro Plunge, a 52-foot drop slide with tubes that twist and turn.

For kids and adults who want to take some time to relax, there’s a Hot Springs area with warmer pools and hot tubs. And at the popular Great Wolf Lodge lazy river, known as Crooked Creek, you can lay back and let the current take you downstream.

Fitness

You don’t have to leave your health and wellness routine behind when you take your family to Great Wolf. Burn some calories at the Iron Horse Fitness Center, which has a variety of cardio machines, free weights, and other strength equipment, as well as flat screen TVs.

Dining

Your family won’t go hungry at Great Wolf thanks to its plethora of dining options. Grab a pizza or pasta dish at Hungry Like a Wolf or burgers, nuggets, or salads at Buckets Burgers & Bites, or enjoy a sit-down meal with a wide-ranging menu at Lodge Wood Fired Grill.

Adults will enjoy grabbing cocktails, beers, and wines at Wood Fire Grill Bar — the perfect wind down at the end of an action-packed day.

Great Wolf Lodge accommodations

Great Wolf offers rooms to accommodate families at a variety of price points. Some suites are smaller and fit up to four people, while suites with adjoining rooms can sleep upwards of 13, and there's even a deluxe villa that can accommodate a group of 20. Here’s a brief overview of what’s available, noting that options vary by location:

• Standard suites: A variety of king, queen, and sofa bed suites offered. Some suites include a balcony, living room, or fireplace.

• Themed suites: Different themes, like the KidCabin Suite and Wolf Den Suite are available. Some rooms offer bunk beds along with king, queen, and sofa bed accommodations. Amenities include a mini fridge, coffee maker, and TVs.

• Premium villas: The Woodland Villa sleeps up to 10 people and features a full kitchen and three private bedrooms, including an outdoors-themed kids’ room. The Deluxe Woodland Villa combines two Woodland Villas and therefore sleeps up to 20. Both options include an outdoor firepit, terrace grill, and personalized concierge service.

Great Wolf Lodge locations

Final thoughts: Great Wolf Lodge locations

With its endless thrilling water slides, family-fun activities, comfortable accommodations, and climate-controlled environment, all Great Wolf Lodge locations offer the ultimate all-in-one weatherproof getaway for families any time of year.