Big Sky, Columbia Falls vs Silverwood Theme Park
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Big Sky, Columbia Falls | Silverwood Theme Park |
|---|---|---|
| Wave Pool | ||
| Lazy River | ||
| Water Slides | ||
| Kiddie Area | ||
| Tube Rentals | ||
| Food & Dining | ||
| Gift Shop | ||
| Parking | ||
| Picnic Area | ||
| Birthday Parties | ||
| Season Passes | ||
| Swimming Pool | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Big Sky, Columbia Falls
- Wave Pool
Only at Silverwood Theme Park
- Gift Shop
- Arcade
- Birthday Parties
- group-rates
- roller-coasters
- family-rides
- thrill-rides
Both parks share 9 amenities including Lazy River, Water Slides, Kiddie Area, and 6 more.
About Each Park
Big Sky, Columbia Falls
Montana
Big Sky Water Park in Columbia Falls gives you that classic Montana outdoor water park experience without breaking the bank. This family-owned park sits in the shadow of Glacier National Park, making it a perfect stop during your Montana vacation. The park keeps things simple but fun with a solid mix of water slides that range from gentle slopes for younger kids to faster rides that'll get your heart pumping. The wave pool here is surprisingly good for a smaller park, and the lazy river actually has enough current to keep you moving without having to paddle yourself around. What I really appreciate about Big Sky is how well they've designed their kids' area. It's got mini slides, water features, and shallow pools that let parents actually relax while keeping an eye on little ones. The staff here clearly knows most visitors are tourists, so they're genuinely helpful about everything from locker locations to the best times to hit popular slides. Since you're in Montana, the sun can be deceiving. Bring more sunscreen than you think you need, especially at this elevation. The park gets busy during peak summer months, so arriving right when they open gives you the best shot at shorter lines. Food options are typical water park fare, but the portions are generous and reasonably priced. If you've got a larger group, their picnic areas are actually nice spots to claim early in the day. The mountain backdrop makes this place feel different from your typical suburban…
Read the full Big Sky, Columbia Falls guide →Silverwood Theme Park
Idaho
Silverwood Theme Park in northern Idaho pulls off something most parks can't manage - seamlessly combining a full theme park with Boulder Beach water park all in one admission. You'll spend the morning bombing down water slides, then walk over to ride Tremors, one of the best wooden coasters in the Northwest. Boulder Beach itself is solid for families, with a decent lazy river that actually moves at a good pace and a multi-level play structure that keeps kids busy for hours. The water slides range from gentle tube slides perfect for younger kids to some legitimate thrill slides that'll get your heart pumping. What really works here is the flexibility. Hot afternoon? Hit the water park. Want to dry off? Head back to the rides. The park doesn't feel massive, which is actually a good thing - you're not walking miles between attractions, and parents can easily keep track of kids who want to bounce between the wet and dry sides. Silverwood draws a lot of families from Spokane and the Idaho panhandle, so it gets busy on summer weekends but rarely feels overcrowded. The food situation is typical theme park fare - nothing amazing but plenty of options when you need fuel. Pro tips: bring water shoes since the pavement gets scorching hot, and if you're planning to do both sides of the park, start with the rides in the morning when lines are shorter, then hit Boulder Beach when the afternoon heat kicks in. This place shines…
Read the full Silverwood Theme Park guide →Ready to visit Big Sky, Columbia Falls?