Considering Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” there’s no shortage of outdoor swimming in the summer months, but the majority of the state's water parks are indoors for year-round water play. Taking advantage of their entertainment value, many hotel resorts have incorporated water parks into their design, and most resorts offer day passes for their water parks.
At 30,000 square feet, the Paul Bunyan Water Park in Baxter is large enough to accommodate its namesake. Paying homage to the mythological lumberjack, the themed water park features include a large tree house with water cannons, a lazy river with waterfalls, an indoor/outdoor hot tub surrounded by a heated outdoor patio floor, a floating log walk and a suspended bridge across the activity pool that challenges guests to stay on. The Holographic Tube Slide has the honor of being only the second of its kind in the world, making it a favorite attraction at the park.
Paul Bunyan Water Park at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes
6967 Lake Forest Road
Baxter, MN 56425
218-822-5634
877-687-5634
lodgehotelsbrainerd.com
The water park at the Edgewater Resort in Duluth opts for a Polynesian tiki theme for its water attractions. Featuring Minnesota’s first Vortex pool, the water park has a Kid’s Zone to climb around, a water walk and two water slides indoors. Both the Tiki Thriller body slide and the Tiki Tumbler tube slide tower more than 4 stories tall as they spill out into the park’s 400-foot lazy river. Summer visitors can opt for their second pool and play area built outdoors with a view of Lake Superior.
Edgewater Resort and Water Park
2400 London Road
Duluth, MN 55812
218-728-3601?
duluthwaterpark.com
The Holiday Inn Express in Baxter hosts the Three Bear Water Park. Boasting more than 250,000 gallons of heated water, this forest-themed park features the Grizzly Express tube slide, the Polar Express body slide, a lazy river and a 1,000-gallon splash bucket. Guests can relax in one of two 18-person hot tubs--one of which is open to families, while the other remains exclusively for adults. Other water activities include an Animal Water Walk, a Floatable Snake, a Plunge slide for younger children and basketball hoops over the water.
Three Bear Water Park at Holiday Inn Express
15739 Audubon Way (Highway 371 North)
Baxter, MN 56425
218-824-3232
888-824-3232
brainerdhi.com
