Dollywood's Splash Country Guide

When the Smoky Mountain summer heat hits — and with July heat indexes averaging over 91°F, it absolutely hits — Dollywood's Splash Country is the answer. Voted a Top 10 Outdoor Waterpark by USA Today Readers, this 35-acre water park sits adjacent to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, tucked into the shaded beauty of the Smoky Mountains. The Smokies' friendliest water park welcomes families back each summer with a mix of thrilling slides, relaxing water experiences, and summertime classics that keep families coming back year after year.

Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Essential information

Dollywood's Splash Country
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (adjacent to Dollywood theme park)

Season — Splash Country is a seasonal water park, typically opening in mid-May and running through mid-August, with select open dates into the fall. Check dollywood.com for the current season's operating calendar; hours vary by date.

Cashless — Splash Country accepts electronic payments only, including debit cards, credit cards, and mobile options like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Leave your cash at the cabin.

Kids three and under — free admission.

Tickets and pricing

Splash Country uses a Pick-A-Day pricing calendar — tickets cost less on slower days, so choosing a weekday visit can save real money. Always buy online in advance for the best price and to avoid the ticket window line. Check dollywood.com for current pricing and promotions, as rates and offers change each season.

Single-day admission

Priced via the Pick-A-Day calendar; varies by date. Check dollywood.com for current pricing on your visit date.

2-Day, 2-Park Ticket

A combo ticket lets you experience both Dollywood and Splash Country across two days — often one of the best-value options if you're planning to visit both parks. The second visit typically must occur within a few days of the first. Check dollywood.com for current combo pricing and terms.

Season passes

A Splash Country season pass offers unlimited visits all season long, often with Bring-A-Friend benefits — the best value for families planning multiple water park days. Dollywood also offers combined park season passes.

School's Out Sale

In many recent seasons, Dollywood has offered a discounted kids' admission promotion tied to report cards near the start of summer. Check dollywood.com for current availability, as these promotions vary year to year.

All-Day Dining Package

A full day of fun for one price, with a meal, drink, and snack included. Worth it if you're planning a full six-plus-hour day.

Pro tip — buy tickets at least three days ahead for Pick-A-Day savings. Weekday visits, Tuesday through Thursday, are significantly cheaper and less crowded than weekend days.

The rides: what to expect

Splash Country offers sixteen attractions across thrill rides, family slides, and relaxing water experiences — something for every age and adrenaline level.

Bear Mountain Fire Tower

The park's signature tall slides. Multiple enclosed and open flume slides dropping from a towering structure. The park's most visible landmark and the first place the thrill-seekers in your group will head.

Mountain Scream

The park's signature enclosed speed slide. A near-vertical drop in complete darkness before exploding into the open. Short duration, maximum intensity.

RiverRush

An extreme white water rafting adventure ride that takes you banking through dark caverns with winding bends and steep drops reminiscent of challenging river expeditions. One of the most talked-about rides in the park — expect lines at peak hours.

SwiftWater Run

A classic raft slide with multiple riders, twisting drops, and a splashdown finale.

Mountain Waves Wave Pool

A large wave pool with gentle waves for younger kids and more active bodyboarding options when the cycles ramp up. The social center of the park — the easiest place to find the whole group between rides. Multiple family tube slides, both enclosed and open, are scattered throughout the park and work well for mixed-age groups.

Kids' area

Younger guests have a dedicated splash zone with child-sized slides, water cannons, dump buckets, and shallow wading areas designed specifically for little ones. Parents can wade in alongside toddlers, and the area is separated from the main flow of foot traffic — making it easy to keep a close eye on small children.

The lazy river

Experience the scenic beauty of the Smoky Mountains while floating down the relaxing 1,500-foot river. At the end of a morning of high-intensity slides, the lazy river is where you transition to pure relaxation — floating on a tube with mountain canopy above you and nowhere to be.

Neon Nights after-hours event

Splash Country's after-hours event, Neon Nights, transforms the water park with neon lights, immersive glow experiences, and high-energy entertainment on select Fridays and Saturdays during the summer season, typically running into the evening. Guests enjoy select favorite attractions, lighter crowds, plus event-exclusive dining and merchandise options.

The lighter crowds alone make it worth considering — arriving for the Neon Nights event after a day elsewhere means a dramatically different, more intimate water park experience than the peak midday rush. The neon atmosphere turns familiar slides into something genuinely surreal after dark.

Neon Nights is typically available as an event-only ticket or bundled with day admission. Check the Splash Country calendar at dollywood.com for scheduled dates and current pricing.

Private canopies and retreats

One of the best quality-of-life upgrades available at Splash Country. Canopies and retreats offer shade, comfort, and a home base — many now include fans, power for mobile charging, and mobile order food delivery.

Standard Canopy

Enclosed shaded space with two chaise lounges, ceiling fan, phone charging, and a locker.

Waterside Retreat

Larger footprint, satellite TV, lounge chairs, dining table, fan, charging, and a locker. The best option for families who want a full home base.

Deluxe Retreat

All of the above plus a fridge, sofa, and bar counter. The premium option for groups who want a VIP base of operations.

Many retreats include mobile order food delivery — order from your lounge chair without losing your spot. Book retreats in advance at dollywood.com; they sell out on peak days.

Dining at Splash Country

All-Day Dining Package — a meal, drink, and snack included with your ticket upgrade, an easy and affordable way to fuel a full water park day.

Dining Pass — one eligible meal and one snack every day you visit during the season. Best value for season pass holders who visit multiple times.

The menu covers standard water park fare — burgers, chicken tenders, pizza, hot dogs — alongside salads, wraps, and snack items.

Outside food policy — outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the park. Guests may leave and re-enter to access vehicles for items left outside.

Practical tips for your visit

Buy Pick-A-Day tickets in advance — choosing a specific date saves money, and buying online skips the ticket line entirely. Weekday pricing is consistently lower than weekend pricing.

Arrive at opening — lines for the most popular rides, RiverRush and Mountain Scream, build quickly after ten. The first ninety minutes after opening are the best window for short waits on thrill rides.

Book a canopy or retreat in advance — they sell out on busy summer weekends. If shade and a home base matter to your group, book when you buy your tickets.

Sunscreen is essential — the UV index in Pigeon Forge hits six to seven, high hazard, throughout summer. Apply before entering and bring a travel-sized bottle for reapplication.

Water shoes are worth it — the walkways between attractions heat up significantly on sunny days. Water shoes or sandals with straps make the between-ride walking much more comfortable.

Lockers are available near the entrance for valuables. Bring a small waterproof bag for items you want poolside.

Combine Splash Country with Dollywood

The two parks sit adjacent to each other — a short shuttle or walk connects them. The 2-Day, 2-Park Ticket is the smartest way to experience both, giving you a full day at each park without rushing.

Spend day one riding Dollywood's coasters and attending shows; spend day two cooling off on water slides. Or split the day — Dollywood in the morning before the heat peaks, Splash Country in the afternoon.

Frequently asked questions

When does Splash Country open?

Dollywood's Splash Country is a seasonal water park that typically opens in mid-May and runs through mid-August, with select dates into the fall. Exact opening and closing dates vary by year — check dollywood.com for the current seasonal calendar.

How much does it cost?

Ticket prices vary by date using the Pick-A-Day pricing model — weekday visits are less expensive than weekends. Combo tickets with Dollywood, season passes, and seasonal promotions are also offered. Children three and under are always free. Check dollywood.com for current pricing on your visit date.

Can I bring outside food in?

No — outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the park. The All-Day Dining Package that includes a meal, drink, and snack is the most convenient option for a full day.

What is Neon Nights?

Neon Nights is an after-hours event that runs on select Fridays and Saturdays during the summer season, transforming the water park with neon lights, glow experiences, and high-energy entertainment. It's typically sold as an event-only ticket or bundled with day admission — check dollywood.com for scheduled dates and pricing.

Is it good for young kids?

Yes — the dedicated kids' area with child-sized slides, water cannons, and shallow wading zones is specifically designed for young children, and parents can participate alongside. The lazy river is also very family-friendly. Height requirements apply to major thrill rides — check dollywood.com for specifics.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen with a reapplication bottle, water shoes, a small waterproof bag for phone and valuables, a towel (or rent one at the park), and a change of clothes for after. Cashless payment only — no cash accepted.