Bunker Beach vs Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota
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 | Bunker Beach | Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Bunker Beach
- beach area
- swimming pool
- picnic areas
- season passes
Only at Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota
- gift shop
- hot tubs
- Arcade
- wifi
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Bunker Beach
Minnesota
Bunker Beach sits on 65 acres in Coon Rapids and feels more like a beach resort than your typical Minnesota water park. The main draw is the massive wave pool that actually generates decent waves every few minutes. Kids spend hours jumping and diving into them while parents float nearby on tubes. The lazy river winds around a good chunk of the property and takes about 15 minutes to complete if you're not stopping to grab a drink. It's wide enough that you won't get stuck behind slow floaters, which happens at smaller parks. The slide complex has something for different comfort levels. The body slides give you that stomach-drop feeling, while the tube slides let families ride together. The kids area is well thought out with smaller slides, dumping buckets, and shallow water that parents can actually sit in comfortably. What sets Bunker Beach apart is the actual beach. Real sand surrounds a swimming area that feels like you're at a lake instead of a chlorinated pool. Kids build sandcastles while parents relax on beach chairs. It's genuinely relaxing in a way most water parks aren't. The food is typical water park fare but the portions are generous. I'd recommend the nachos if you're sharing. Get there when they open at 11am during summer weekends or you'll spend the first hour hunting for chairs. The parking lot fills up fast on hot days. Cabanas book up weeks in advance for weekends but are usually available weekdays. Bring reef-safe sunscreen…
Read the full Bunker Beach guide →Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota
Minnesota
Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota brings the classic indoor water resort experience to Bloomington, just minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul. The 38,000 square foot water park stays a consistent 84 degrees year-round, making it perfect for escaping Minnesota winters. The centerpiece is Fort Mackenzie, a massive four-story interactive treehouse with water cannons, rope bridges, and a giant tipping bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons every few minutes. Kids absolutely lose their minds when that bucket tips. The Howlin' Tornado is their signature funnel slide where families ride together in four-person rafts through a massive funnel before splashing into the bowl below. River Canyon Run offers gentler tube slides for younger kids, while the Crooked Creek lazy river gives parents a chance to float and decompress. The Wolf Tail is their body slide with a trapdoor floor that drops you straight down - definitely not for the faint of heart. Beyond the water park, Great Wolf Lodge does the whole themed resort thing well. Kids get obsessed with the MagiQuest wand game that has them running around the lodge casting spells and solving mysteries. There's also mini bowling, an arcade, and story time in the lobby. The rooms are what you'd expect - themed suites with bunk beds that kids love and parents tolerate. Food options include a buffet restaurant and grab-and-go spots, though prices are resort-level steep. The best strategy is arriving right when the water park opens to claim your spot, especially around the kiddie areas which fill up fast. Consider splurging…
Read the full Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota guide →Ready to visit Bunker Beach?