The 8 Best Water Parks in Montana

For many, the very word Montana is synonymous with top mountain ski resorts and impressively-scenic natural landscapes. This would most likely include the amazing terrain of the national and state parks.

There is certainly no shortage of impressive natural features in the Treasure State, nor does it come up short on diverse accommodation options. These may range from primitive and developed camping and cabin locations to 4-star hotels and beyond, according to preference.

However, many travelers in and around Montana could often benefit from a decent in-between spot when traveling from one destination to another. This is where some of the best water parks in Montana come in handy, especially during the warmer months.

So it’s good to know that Montana has a decent number of water parks and reasonable enough local amenities to ensure adventure-seeking souls can get wet here and there often with some decent nearby views.

These water parks may not all compare with some of the other more developed parks across the rest of the U.S. but they’ll sure allow for some cooling off in summer! The kids will love either or any of these places for sure, but we’ll let you decide for yourself how each one is likely to suit your requirements.

So let’s show you what we think could be eight of the best water parks in Montana.

1. The Reef Indoor Water Park, Billings

The Reef Indoor Water Park is reportedly the largest indoor water park in the entire state at approximately the size of a football field.

If you fancy climbing up 3 stories you get to shoot down the tubes of rides like the Barracuda Blaster or the Tropical Twister.

On top of that, you have the pleasure of the plunge pool when you pop out from the tubes. There’s water basketball here or you can try riding the waves in the 50,000-plus-gallon wave pool.

If that sounds a bit fearsome you’ll be pleased to find the specially-designed rides just for small kiddies here like slides, mini-tubes, squirt guns, tunnels, and even a 250-gallon dumping bucket!

There are also plenty of indoor and outdoor tables surrounding the Reef, which makes it a great space for families to gather. The nearby Shark Shack may be able to cater to your hunger when you are all done.

2. Big Sky Water Park, Columbia Falls

If you happen to find yourself looking for a water park somewhere in the heart of the Rockies Big Sky Waterpark could be for you. The water park is off Highway 2, 10 miles from the Hungry Horse Reservoir in Columbia Falls.

Here you’ll find some fun for the whole family, with plenty of shady spots to sit if necessary. This slightly dated yet worth-visiting water attraction provides fun probably best suited to kids although adults are definitely excluded from participating.

Most kids love the different water slides and can choose from 10 according to which one seems best suited. There’s also a big whirlpool and another kids’ activity pool. Outside of that, you can even indulge in a spot of mini golfing or bumper car racing.

Some families are known to stop off for a visit here during camping trips near Flathead Lake. The park itself is clean and well-maintained and a great place to spend an afternoon. You’ll also find available picnic tables and plenty of green grass to stretch out a blanket on if the mood takes you.

Reportedly the staff is fun and friendly but you really need to come here with the expectation that this is one of the older parks to get the most from the experience.

It’s also worth considering that locals in these regions may be inclined to place more value on natural water features.

3. Splash Montana, Missoula

Splash Montana in the city of Missoula is an inexpensive and convenient option in the area when it comes to water parks. The park includes various features such as three different water slides and the lazy river, where the waterfalls flow down on top of the rafts.

This is a decent city park that serves as a great stop-off or even a full day out for kids and adults alike in the area.

It is compact enough to allow parents to keep a watchful eye on young children, with the smaller kids usually indulging in the wading pool while the older kids play on the nearby water slides.

The good thing about this place is the abundance of lifeguards, and there is also plenty of room, even when it gets busier.

4. Castle Rock Splash Park, Billings

Castle Rock Park is the largest community park in the vicinity of Billings Heights. This is a scenic 25-acre park that serves as a great location for a family picnic or some other kind of get-together.

During the summer months, you’ll find lots of activity around the splash park section, or spray ground as it is commonly called.

Expect to get sprayed if you are near the laughter and chaos of the excited children, but you probably won’t mind too much.

5. Electric City Water Park, Great Falls

This Great Falls water park is another facility with very reasonable entry fees and amenities. There are generally plenty of tables providing lots of room to sit in the shade. If you are lucky enough to get there on a weekday you may find it is nowhere near crowded.

This is a lifeguard-staffed facility with water slides at the pool and a lazy river that is a blast with its rapid-moving current. You could easily spend hours just in this section of the park.

There are basically three pool areas, with the first one being a massive lap pool with two equally-huge large water slides.

The second area is a kiddie pool with a splash pad, and the third is more of a lazy river with a relatively-small slide and a boogie board area.

There are various concessions for using the different ls or you can opt for an ‘all-in’ pass which allows access to the whole park. There are plenty of tubes available for the lazy river, along with a supply of life jackets.

The kiddie pool, the lazy river, and the other huge pool also tend to be different temperatures, however apparently somewhere between freezing and warm!

6. Ridge Waters Water Park, Butte

This waterpark in Butte first opened in spring 2018 and has various features such as two water slides and a lap pool.

You’ll also find various other interactive and fun play features like diving boards and climbing walls, not to mention a winding lazy river that is apparently Montana’s longest.

There are also a few more subtle aspects to the park’s design. Like two chair lifts, and a zero-depth entry. One of these allows toddlers to wander in without worry and the other provides access to wheelchairs.

The bathhouse has available lockers and changing rooms along with various other amenities and concessions.

7. Oasis Water Park, Billings

The Oasis is owned and operated by the Better Billings Foundation and is the city’s only outdoor water park.

Located in City Heights just 20 minutes from the far west end of town, the park has various features such as the zero-entries in both the toddler pool and the main pool.

There is an easy-to-follow play structure guideline for the younger kids and a small wave pool with gentle waves for the younger kids. The other features include a lazy river and two slides, a swirling whirlpool that the kids seem to love!

This water park in Montana does get amazingly busy during the heat of summer so timing is important. If you don’t mind the crowds so much though, this is a great pool for kids of all ages.

The pools are fun, the slides awesome, in an overall kid-friendly, family-friendly place where you could easily spend the whole day. This park doesn’t stay open too late into the evenings due to the nearby residential areas.

8. Last Chance Splash

The Last Chance Splash Waterpark and Pool consist of a 50-meter heated pool with backdrops of Mount Helena nearby.

The splash park opens from June to August and features a bathhouse, two waterslides, a splash pad area, and a lazy river.

You can reach Last Chance Splash off the I-15. Take the Cedar Street Exit 193 heading west before turning into Last Chance Gulch. You can also get here along Highway-12 if coming in from the direction of Missoula.

Normal hours of operation are 1 pm-7 pm, Monday – Friday, 1 pm-5 pm, Saturday & Sunday (closed on Sundays in June).