Land of Natura Wins Newsweek Award
We're excited to announce that Land of Natura won Newsweek's 2026 Best Outdoor Water Park Reader's Choice award. Thanks to all our fans who voted :-). Here's the full list of Newsweek's top 10 standout outdoor waterparks. (Parks are selected by a Newsweek panel of experts and voted on by readers.)
1. Land of Natura (Wisconsin Dells, WI)
A 150-acre water and adventure park where exhilarating thrills meet the serenity of nature. This man-made filtered lake holds more than 200+ inflatables and is chemical-free, clean, and clear thanks to plants and biological filtration.
2. Discovery Cove (Orlando, FL)
A reservations-only, all-inclusive marine life park offering up-close encounters with dolphins and exotic sea life. Guests swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds, and unwind on pristine beaches.
3. Noah's Ark (Wisconsin Dells, WI)
Noah's Ark covers 70 acres with 49 water slides, two wave pools, two lazy rivers, and four children's play areas. Standout rides include the Black Anaconda water coaster and Raja, the world's largest King Cobra slide.
4. Aquatica Orlanda (Orlando, FL)
SeaWorld's waterpark features 42 slides, rivers, and lagoons plus 84,000 square feet of white sandy beaches. Animal habitats are woven into the rides, including a slide through a dolphin habitat. Riptide Race is the world's tallest dueling water slide.
5. Universal's Volcano Bay (Orlando, FL)
A tropical-themed water park centered on "Krakatau," a 200-foot volcano with water coasters and capsule plunge slides — waterfalls by day, glowing lava flows by night. Four Polynesian-inspired themed areas, a virtual queue system, and Universal's signature world-class storytelling make this a unique water park.
6. LEGOLAND Water Park (Carlsbad, CA)
The world's first LEGO-themed water park, located inside LEGOLAND California Resort just 30 minutes north of San Diego. The signature experience is the Build-A-Raft River, an 850-foot lazy river where guests float on their own custom-built LEGO raft.
7. Blizzard Beach (Bay Lake, FL)
A waterpark built around the legend of a melted Florida ski resort. Summit Plummet delivers a near-vertical 120-foot drop. Teamboat Springs is one of the world's longest group whitewater raft rides at 1,200 feet, and a lazy river winds through a faux ice cave.
8. Typhoon Lagoon (Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Themed around a mythical typhoon that ravaged a tropical paradise, Typhoon Lagoon features include water roller coasters and a 2,100-foot lazy river winding through waterfalls and rainforest scenery.
9. Dollywood's Splash Country (Pigeon Forge, TN)
Themed around the natural landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains, this park offers a stunning backdrop unlike any other on this list and is home to Tennessee's only water rollercoaster.
10. Holiday World & Splashin Safari (Santa Claus, IN)
Splashin' Safari features multiple water coasters and wave pools with amenities like parking and WiFi included with admission.
Whether you're slipping and sliding on inflatables, chasing adrenaline-pumping slides, swimming with dolphins, or floating on a lazy river with the whole family, the United States is home to some of the world's most incredible waterparks. From Wisconsin Dells — the self-proclaimed Waterpark Capital of the World — to the theme park mecca of Orlando, Florida, the Newsweek 2026 Best Outdoor Water Park list covers the top 10 waterparks across the country.
Dive in this summer to some of the best in the business. Book your Land of Natura at the Best Outdoor Water Park in 2026!
Thanks to all our fans who voted for us!!!
