Discovering Great Wolf Lodge Resorts

Great Wolf Lodge Resorts are more than just hotels; they are destinations in their own right. With indoor waterparks, rope courses, miniature golf, interactive games and more, these 18 resorts — with more on the way — have something for everyone.

The Details

The first Great Wolf Lodge opened in 1997 in Wisconsin Dells. Today, there are properties in Sandusky, Ohio; Traverse City, Michigan; Kansas City; Williamsburg, Virginia; Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; Grapevine, Texas; Ground Mound, Washington; Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina; Boston; Anaheim, California; Colorado Springs; Atlanta; Bloomington, Minnesota; Chicago; Cincinnati; Niagara Falls, Ontario; and Scottsdale, Arizona. Another is scheduled to open near Stockton, California, in mid-2020.

Great Wolf Family Suite. Photo: Great Wolf Lodge

Each location features an indoor waterpark, outdoor swimming pool and dry activities. Access to the waterpark, swimming pool, story time with character appearances and kids’ yoga are included with your stay while others come at an additional cost. When you check in, each family member will be given a bracelet so staff knows which activities are included in your stay.

The Waterpark

Kids will want to spend the day at the indoor waterpark. All Great Wolf Lodge waterparks feature slides, a water fort tree house, lazy river, wave pool and activity pool. Some also have “hot springs” for families and adults. For an extra charge, you can rent a cabana with seating for six, lounge chairs, a 20-inch flat-screen TV and non-alcoholic beverages.

Great Wolf River Canyon Run. Photo: Great Wolf Lodge

Can’t wait to jump into the pool? Great Wolf Lodge allows guests access to the waterpark before their room is ready, so you can arrive first thing in the morning, change in the waterpark’s dressing area and begin having fun. Restaurants and dining options attached to the waterpark make it possible to spend the entire day there.

If you want to experience the waterpark fun without booking a room, many of the locations offer a limited number of day passes. Check online for availability.

Dry activities

For a change of pace, purchase a package that includes access to dry activities such as the arcade, ropes course, rock wall climbing, miniature golf, bowling alley and MagiQuest, the lodge’s in-house interactive game. You can also make a new friend, based on Great Wolf Kids characters, at the on-site Build-A-Bar Workshop for a fee. (Activities vary from property to property.)

Great Wolf Camp. Photo: Great Wolf Lodge

Story time, yoga for kids and Camp Yowl are all complimentary. The Camp Yowl program entertains kids with crafts, puppet shows, dress up and other creative activities as well as an outdoor play yard. Several locations also offer parent-free programming, giving you the opportunity to enjoy some adult time in one of the more upscale dining options or the bars.