Soaky Mountain Waterpark vs Wild Bear Falls, Gatlinburg
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 | Soaky Mountain Waterpark | Wild Bear Falls, Gatlinburg |
|---|---|---|
| Wave Pool | ||
| Lazy River | ||
| Water Slides | ||
| Kiddie Area | ||
| Tube Rentals | ||
| Cabanas | ||
| Food & Dining | ||
| Gift Shop | ||
| Parking | ||
| Picnic Area | ||
| Birthday Parties | ||
| Splash Pad | ||
| Hot Tubs / Spa | ||
| Season Passes | ||
| Swimming Pool |
Only at Soaky Mountain Waterpark
- Cabanas
- Gift Shop
- Splash Pad
- Picnic Area
- Birthday Parties
- group-rates
- Season Passes
Only at Wild Bear Falls, Gatlinburg
- Hot Tubs / Spa
Both parks share 8 amenities including Wave Pool, Lazy River, Water Slides, and 5 more.
About Each Park
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Tennessee
Soaky Mountain Waterpark sits on 50 acres in Sevierville, making it one of the largest water parks in Tennessee. The park opened in 2020 and has quickly become a major draw for families visiting the Smoky Mountains area. The centerpiece is their massive wave pool called The Watershed, which generates 6-foot waves that'll knock you around in the best possible way. The lazy river here is longer than most at nearly 1,000 feet, winding through landscaped areas that give you mountain views as you float. For thrill seekers, the highlight is their collection of high-speed water slides including multi-level racing slides and a massive funnel slide that drops you into a giant bowl. The kids area is well thought out with smaller slides, water features, and a huge tipping bucket that dumps hundreds of gallons every few minutes. What sets Soaky Mountain apart is how they've designed it to handle crowds. Even on busy summer days, the lines move pretty quickly thanks to smart queue design and plenty of ride capacity. The park feels spacious too, so you're not constantly bumping into people. I'd recommend arriving right when they open to grab a good spot for your stuff. The cabanas here are worth it if you're visiting with a group - they come with shade, seating, and storage, plus some include food service. Bring reef-safe sunscreen because you'll be in the sun most of the day, and consider water shoes since the concrete can get hot. The food is typical…
Read the full Soaky Mountain Waterpark guide →Wild Bear Falls, Gatlinburg
Tennessee
Wild Bear Falls sits inside the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, making it one of those convenient hotel water parks where you can literally walk from your room in flip-flops. The indoor setup means you can splash around year-round, which is perfect when Gatlinburg's mountain weather doesn't cooperate. The park centers around a decent-sized indoor wave pool that gets pretty packed on weekends, so time your visits accordingly. You'll find a solid selection of body slides and tube slides that range from mild to moderately thrilling - nothing that'll terrify younger kids but enough excitement to keep tweens engaged. The lazy river winds around a good portion of the facility and stays warm enough that you actually want to float in it, unlike some indoor parks where the water feels chilly. There's a multi-level play structure for little ones with smaller slides, dumping buckets, and all those interactive features that keep toddlers busy while parents grab a poolside chair. The hot tub area gets crowded fast, especially during ski season when families want to warm up after a day on the mountain. Being attached to the resort means food options are limited to typical pool snacks at premium prices, so consider grabbing lunch in Gatlinburg if you're day-tripping. Resort guests get free access, but day passes are available for non-guests. The space feels more intimate than massive destination water parks, which works well for families with mixed age groups. Parking can be tricky during peak times since you're sharing with hotel…
Read the full Wild Bear Falls, Gatlinburg guide →Ready to visit Soaky Mountain Waterpark?