The 8 Best Water Park Resorts in Arizona | Lazy Rivers & Slides in 2025

We looked through every property and found the best water park resorts in Arizona that actually combine sun-soaked thrills with full-scale comfort and amenities, all nestled inside one of the most dramatically scenic states in the entire country.

best water park resorts in Arizona

From luxury properties with full-service spas and golf courses to places where kids can spend entire days floating through lazy rivers or racing down water slides, the best water park resorts in Arizona truly offer something for all types of travelers.

These resorts mix the fun of a full-scale amusement park with the convenience of staying right where the fun is, whih make them perfect for the whole family.

Methodology

To figure out the best water park resorts Arizona has to offer, our editors combed through thousands of recent reviews on Booking, Google, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.

We pulled details about room quality, service consistency, food and beverage experiences, pool designs, and, most importantly, the water park attractions themselves.

After compiling and cross-checking those reviews, we applied our proprietary ranking formula that gives extra weight to verified amenities, updated facilities, and guest satisfaction scores, all to find the very best options available in the state right now.

The 8 Best Arizona Resorts with Water Parks – 2025 Full Guide

8. Great Wolf Lodge – Scottsdale / Salt River

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • 85,000-square-foot indoor water park open year-round
  • Interactive kids splash zones and multi-story water slides
  • Rustic-themed family suites and exclusive kid cabins

Great Wolf Lodge is one of those Arizona water park resort experiences that feels designed from the ground up for families with kids who need constant motion and entertainment.

The signature indoor water park spans an enormous 85,000 square feet and features high-speed slides, a giant tipping bucket, body slides, and a winding lazy river that meanders through the resort’s jungle-like theming.

There’s also a wave pool and an entire splash area made specifically for toddlers, which is, in fact, incredibly popular with families bringing along little ones who aren’t ready for the bigger slides just yet.

Rooms here come in themed layouts like Wolf Dens or KidCabins, and most suites include bunk beds, cozy couches, and mini-fridges for snacks between rides.

The food here is more casual than gourmet, but with multiple on-site dining options, including a pizza joint, bakery, buffet, and tavern-style restaurant, there’s a lot of variety for picky eaters and hungry parents alike.

Guests will also find arcade areas, a mini bowling alley, and even an on-site Build-A-Bear experience, making it feel more like a small resort-town than just a hotel.


7. Holiday Inn Club Vacations Scottsdale Resort – Most Affordable

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • Four outdoor heated pools including a zero-entry kids pool
  • Spacious villa-style accommodations with full kitchens
  • Near McDowell Mountain hiking and Old Town Scottsdale
  • One of the most budget-friendly Arizona water park resorts

This resort might be the most affordable pick among Arizona resorts with water parks, but it still holds its own with a surprisingly complete amenity list.

It’s not your usual Holiday Inn, as their resort-style property allows families to enjoy a collection of heated pools that include kid-friendly splash areas and mini water slides, along with large hot tubs and shaded cabanas.

The vibe here is perfect for those who want space, comfort, and water fun without breaking the bank.

Rooms are villa-style, which basically means you get kitchens, living rooms, and multiple bedrooms, ideal for families needing to spread out or prep their own meals.

The property includes a small on-site grill and marketplace for snacks and drinks, and the service here has been called consistently helpful and laid-back by frequent guests.

Guests are also within easy driving distance to downtown Scottsdale and natural attractions like the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

It’s truly one of the best water park resorts in Arizona for travelers on a budget to consider.


6. Hilton Phoenix Resort At The Peak

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • Four-acre River Ranch Water Park with lazy river and waterslide
  • Spacious all-suite accommodations with separate living areas
  • Close to Piestewa Peak and Phoenix Mountain Preserve

This property is practically an icon when it comes to Arizona resorts with water parks.

The River Ranch water park on the resort grounds is sprawled over four acres and includes a giant lazy river, a 130-foot waterslide, activity pools, and a waterfall-fed lagoon that often doubles as a fun play area for kids.

It’s definitely a resort built with both relaxation and fun in mind. Adults can enjoy the poolside bar and cabanas while kids go crazy in the shallow zones.

The accommodations are all-suite setups, with living rooms, dining tables, and sleeper sofas that help bigger groups stay comfortable during longer visits.

There’s also the Tocasierra Spa for those who want massage services or beauty treatments, making it a solid pick for multi-generational trips where not everyone is chasing water slides.

Restaurants range from casual poolside grills to a family-friendly buffet and an evening dining spot with elevated comfort food options.

It’s only a short drive to Phoenix’s popular hiking trails and museums, giving it a nice balance between water fun and cultural outings.


5. Arizona Biltmore, Lxr Hotels & Resorts

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • Seven pools including a 65-foot triple water slide
  • Luxury spa services and upscale dining
  • Historic Frank Lloyd Wright architecture

When it comes to mixing heritage with luxury, this is easily one of the best Arizona resorts with water parks for travelers who want elegance with their splash zones.

The Biltmore features an astounding seven separate pools as well as a thrilling triple water slide at the Paradise Pool area that keep guests of all ages entertained.

The large main pool also features swim-up bars and music-laced weekend events, giving it a bit of a resort-party feel without being overwhelming.

Guests can choose from a long list of modern rooms and suites, some with private patios, soaking tubs, and fire pits for chilly desert nights.

The Tierra Luna Spa offers full treatment menus including facials and couples massages, and the dining lineup includes fine steakhouses and chic poolside lounges.

Located close to Camelback Mountain and Biltmore Fashion Park, it also puts visitors near both hiking and high-end shopping options.


4. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess – Best-Seller

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • Six pools including a white sand beach and two water slides
  • Full-service spa, golf course, and multiple restaurants
  • Known for family-friendly seasonal events

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess ranks among the best water park resorts in Arizona for families seeking upscale amenities combined with water attractions that stretch beyond the basics.

The main Sonoran Splash pool includes dual water slides that shoot into sparkling turquoise waters, and there’s also a zero-entry pool with a faux beach setup, perfect for younger kids who like to play in the sand.

Rooms and casitas here are large, elegant, and filled with light. Many come with soaking tubs and private terraces looking out onto gardens or golf greens.

The spa is full-scale and includes everything from reflexology to desert-inspired treatments, while the dining options stretch from gourmet Mexican fare to upscale American bistros.

Throughout the year, the resort hosts themed family festivals, holiday lights shows, and culinary events that make it more than just a place to swim, which is why it’s one of the most popular water park resorts Arizona has to offer.

It’s not far from shopping at Kierland Commons or outdoor excursions around Pinnacle Peak Park.


3. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • 560-foot lazy river and FlowRider wave simulator
  • Scottish-inspired full-service spa and golf course
  • Modern rooms with balconies and resort views

The Westin Kierland Resort has one of the more unexpected water park experiences for a water park resort in Arizona, and that’s largely due to the wave simulator.

Yes, the FlowRider surf experience adds a bit of coastal flair right in the middle of the desert, making this resort a standout for teens and adventure-loving adults.

There’s also a 560-foot lazy river that winds through palm trees and grassy knolls, as well as a family pool with a water slide and shallow kids area.

Suites and rooms come with Westin’s signature heavenly beds, marble bathrooms, and private balconies, and several offer pool views or direct access to the grounds.

Dining options range from a tequila bar to a Scottish-themed gastropub, and there’s a luxurious spa with steam rooms, relaxation zones, and customized treatments.

Nearby, guests can explore the Scottsdale Quarter or play a round on the adjacent 27-hole golf course.


2. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa – Top Value Pick

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • 7-acre Oasis Water Park with wave pool, slides, and lazy river
  • 744 suites with private balconies and desert views
  • Award-winning spa and athletic club

The Oasis Water Park at Arizona Grand Resort stands out not just in the state, but arguably across the entire Southwest, as one of the best Arizona resorts with water parks.

The seven-acre park includes a massive wave pool, a giant sidewinder slide, a calm lazy river, and multiple zones for lounging or playing in shaded comfort.

It’s truly built for both high-energy kids and laid-back adults who want to unwind under the sun.

Every room is a suite with separate living areas, sleeper sofas, and either patios or balconies looking out onto the South Mountain Preserve or resort gardens.

The on-site spa features hydrotherapy, facials, and deep tissue massages, while the resort’s athletic club includes tennis courts and fitness classes.

Dining ranges from a poolside grill to an upscale Italian restaurant, and the property is close to outlet shopping and hiking trails.

The Arizona Grand Resort & Spa offers one of the best bangs-for-your-buck among all the water park resorts Arizona has to offer.


1. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa – Top Overall

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Key Highlights:

  • Five pools, lazy river, waterslide, and splash pad
  • 950 rooms and suites with modern desert-inspired design
  • Spa, golf, and seven dining options

The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge is the overall best Arizona water park resort on this list thanks to its all-around combination of features, size, and service quality.

The pool complex includes five separate areas, from a calm lazy river to a large twisting water slide and splash zones for kids.

There’s even a kids club activity zone that hosts crafts and games during the day, giving parents some downtime by the pool or in the full-service spa.

The rooms are modern, light-filled, and very comfortable, especially the suites that offer expanded living areas and upscale finishes.

With on-site golf courses, seven full restaurants, and a spa offering desert-inspired treatments and rooftop relaxation decks, this resort really checks every box.

It’s close to upscale shopping in Desert Ridge Marketplace and about 30 minutes from Phoenix’s downtown museums and stadiums.

Overall, it’s truly the best water park resort in Arizona for both kids and adults.

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