Dells makes a splash as water park capital

If you're running out of ways to keep your family cool during this scorching summer, you can take the short drive to Wisconsin to spend the weekend at the Wisconsin Dells, which calls itself the Waterpark Capital of the World.

The outdoor water parks are open to the public, while most of the indoor parks are part of resorts and restricted to guests.

A few facts to consider before taking the plunge: The Dells has 22 indoor water parks, three outdoor water parks and more than 200 water slides. Altogether, the parks use 16 million gallons of water. Noah's Ark Waterpark is America's largest, spanning 70 acres with 5 million gallons of water and three miles of water slides.

So get your swimsuit ready and dive in to our sampling of parks:

Chula Vista Resort

2501 River Road, Wisconsin Dells, (608) 254-8366, chulavistaresort.com

Price: $29

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

The most popular attractions at Chula Vista are its big outdoor slides, the Cyclone and the Switchback Canyon. The fast, curving Cyclone was added in 2009 and Switchback Canyon provides intense acceleration for riders in a one- or two-person tube. Last year, the resort added a beach area where kids can play in the sand, complete with its own bar. If you want to relax, there are about 500 deck and beach chairs or you can rent a private cabana for $150 a day, which come with a flat-screen TV, an ice chest and a personal attendant.

“They're very popular, especially with families with young children,” CEO Mike Kaminski said.

Admission includes access to an 18-hole miniature golf course with lots of animated scenes and water elements. If the weather is cloudy, you can head to the indoor water park, which includes the Flying Mayan, an uphill water roller coaster that reaches speeds of more than 40 mph.

Kaminski said that Chula Vista's food sets it apart from other parks. Along with your standard park fare and several snack bars, the resort added Margarita's Mexican Restaurant this year. The full-service restaurant serves plenty of the namesake drinks by the wave pool.

“It is so popular, we can't believe it,” Kaminski said.

Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park

1881 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, (608) 254-2490, mtolympuspark.com

Price: $34.99

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Admission to the massive Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park includes access to 37 indoor and outdoor water slides, go-carts, roller coasters and more.

“What makes us more unique than most is how big we are,” owner Nick Laskaris said.

The park is home to Hades, the world's longest underground roller coaster, which reaches speeds of 70 mph and features a 140-foot drop. The most popular attraction is the wave pool Poseidon's Rage, where water crests up to 9 feet.

“It's like being in the ocean,” Laskaris said.

If you're looking for a place to relax, there's a sand beach near the wave pool and 3,000 lounge chairs throughout the facility.

Noah's Ark

1410 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, (608) 254-6351, noahsarkwaterpark.com

Price: $35.99

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. depending on the date. Check the website for details.

Noah's Ark recently underwent $1.5 million in updates, smoothing over the walkways, updating the restrooms, adding more shade, installing sprinklers to keep the pavement cool on hot days and adding Scorpion's Tail. With its looping water slide, riders of Scorpion's Tail step into a capsule and close the door where a countdown plays until the floor drops out from below, sending riders down 50 feet before shooting them uphill and through the loop.

Other additions include a new funnel cake stand that also sells Wisconsin cheese curds and fried pickles, and new speakers throughout the park that play a blend of music including hard rock, oldies, country and top 20.

The park also added cabana rentals, which have been selling out within the first hour of the park opening.

After a very slow June, business has been booming at Noah's Ark. The park has 49 water slides, two wave pools, two lazy rivers, an 18-hole mini golf course, bumper boats and other attractions, so even if some lines are long, there's plenty to do without waiting.

“Even if you come on peak days we find that, no matter what, you can get on something right away,” said Tim Gantz, president and co-owner.

Great Wolf Lodge

1400 Great Wolf Drive, Wisconsin Dells, (608) 253-2222, greatwolf.com/dells

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Price: Only open to hotel guests

The indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge includes a mix of thrill rides, chill areas and fun for kids. The center of the park is Fort Mackenzie, a four-story treehouse where kids can navigate through suspension bridges, get sprayed, go down small slides or just wait for a huge bucket to dump 1,000 gallons of water. The bold can try the Howlin' Tornado, a ride for up to four people that drops riders into a six-story funnel and sends them coasting up its 30-foot walls. After some screaming, calm down by coasting on the lazy river or soaking in the jumbo whirlpool hot tub. The resort also features an outdoor heated pool with two slides, basketball hoops, and a patio area with tables and chairs.

Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort

511 E. Adams St., Wisconsin Dells, (608) 253-9729, wildernessresort.com

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Price: Only open to hotel guests

Wilderness Hotel calls its gigantic indoor wave pool, the Great Wave Guests have access to four indoor and outdoor water park areas. Attractions include a 13,000-square-foot swimming pool, bumper boats, a five-person rafting ride and plenty of places for kids to play.