Take a trip to visit Soaky Mountain Water Park in East Tennessee

Summer is only a limited time and I want to soak up all the sunshine and have as much fun as possible with my kids. We’re lucky to live in the Southeast because we don’t have to travel far to find summer fun. Soaky Mountain Waterpark is approximately a 4-hour drive from Atlanta. It’s the perfect time to travel to the mountains of East Tennessee and cool off at Soaky Mountain!

Our adventure began at Wilderness at the Smokies, which is also owned by Wilderness Resorts and Waterparks parent company Soaky, and is located directly across the street from Soaky Mountain Waterpark. We decided to stay here for convenience and to make our trip more enjoyable. We checked in and received stretchy wristbands that served as our room key and entry passes to Wilderness at the Smokies. I was even able to link my bracelet to my credit card so I didn’t have to worry about having my wallet with me at all times. I also loved being able to waive this special perk for my 10-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son. I can only imagine what they would have bought!

Here’s a money-saving pro tip: Wilderness at the Smokies guests can purchase discounted tickets to Soaky Mountain at the resort’s front desk. Plus, while you’re there, take the free shuttle from Wilderness to Soaky and avoid paying for parking at the water park.

Upon entering Soaky Mountain Waterpark, there is a quick bag check. Our reusable water bottles were empty, meaning they were allowed inside the park. You can also bring sealed store-bought water bottles, but I already have enough to carry around! There are plenty of places to refill your water bottles throughout Soaky, including right at the entrance.

I also liked that we could bring my son Bennett’s life jacket. After many lessons he has become a pretty good little swimmer, so his life vest is more for peace of mind. If you don’t have a life jacket at home, there are racks of life jackets in sizes ranging from infant to adult at many attractions. At one point we found ourselves at the edge of the “Black Bear Rapids” adventure river without Bennett’s life jacket. We had no problem finding one that fit and enjoying the river. It is my favorite ! I should also mention that there are lifeguards EVERYWHERE. With so much supervision, I feel comfortable taking my two children alone.

One of the special perks of our visit was our cabin. Let’s talk about the easy life for a mom! Not only did we have plenty of shade, but our cabin hostess was just a click away. My first order of business was to order a free pitcher of ice water and plenty of cups.

She quickly put it down and with the sunscreen applied it was time to have some fun. The wave pool was only a few steps away, so my kids ran straight for it and I was right behind them! This was the first of several visits to the wave pool that day. This is another one of my favorites.

Then it was time to explore. Madeline and Bennett had a great time doing the obstacle course called “Sliding Salamanders”. The line moved quickly and they went several times. Later that day, they even convinced me to give it a try. I wasn’t graceful but I had a good time.

“The Hive” was a hit with my youngest and, surprisingly, my teenager. It’s a huge splash pad with slides and lots of water play features. Next, Madeline and Bennett wanted to go to the “Snake Den.” There are five family slides. If you’re taller than 42 inches, you can ride with a companion taller than 48 inches. This meant Madeline and Bennett could ride the slides themselves while I went back to the cabin to order lunch. It didn’t take long to place our order with the cabin hostess and the food arrives. This mom even ordered a special treat for herself: a frozen concoction called “Miami Vice.” It’s strawberry puree, pina colada, and rum. It totally hit the spot!

The kids had serious appetites and they ate before we went back to have more fun. Madeline tried the “Avalaunch Watercoaster” with friends and had a great time. My little guy decided it wasn’t for him and we headed back to “Black Bear Rapids”. This time the rapids were on the move. The river only has waves at certain times of the day, which means you can decide what type of experience you want to have. Bennett was all about the rapids (and so was I!). Then we did several more obstacle courses at “Slippery Salamanders” before deciding it was time to treat ourselves.

Madeline tried one of the fancy milkshakes and Bennett opted for a classic funnel cake. We played in the wave pool a bit more before deciding it was time to call it a day. Thanks to the shuttle, we were back in our room and changed for dinner in minutes. So convenient, especially when everyone is exhausted after a day at the water park.

It’s hard to find things that Madeline and Bennett like, but there’s definitely something for all ages at Soaky Mountain Waterpark. As they get older, I’m sure they’ll get interested in some thrill rides, but for now, family attractions are definitely our thing. We had such a great time at Soaky Mountain that I’m even considering a season pass as a family Christmas gift. But don’t wait until the holidays to enjoy Soaky Mountain, there isn’t much time to enjoy summer!

For more information on Soaky Mountain Waterpark, including tickets and passes, click here.

About Beth

I’m a former TV news producer turned stay-at-home mom to my daughter Madeline and son Bennett. While I stay home, Madeline, Bennett, and I are always on the go exploring and making new friends. I’m a coffee addict, book lover, fashion enthusiast, occasional cook, and bargain hunter. My guilty pleasures include Pinterest and bad reality TV shows. I believe a sense of humor is an essential survival skill. And lucky for me, my funny husband Andy always makes me laugh.