We Bring Joy to Families
Great Wolf Resorts is North America's largest family of indoor water park resorts. Since opening our first lodge in Wisconsin Dells in 1997, we've grown to encompass 23 locations across North America— and we're still growing. Over 12,000 employees (we call ourselves Pack Members) are dedicated to our mission: Bringing Joy to Families. Every attraction, every experience, and every interaction is designed to create memories families will carry with them long after their visit.
Our Story
Great Wolf Lodge started as Black Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin in 1997 — the country's first indoor water park hotel. From that single location, we grew into something far bigger: a place where families could escape together, play together, and connect in a way that only a fully immersive resort experience makes possible.
Over the decades, we've continued to innovate:
2001: We introduced The Great Wolf Pack, our beloved cast of lodge characters and family programming.
2001: Great Wolf Lodge opened its second location, in Sandusky, Ohio, beginning the journey to becoming America’s largest group of indoor water park resorts.
2006: Great Wolf Lodge goes international, opening its first location outside the United States in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
2012: We added dry-play indoor adventure parks, complete with ropes courses, rock walls, and other attractions to complement our water parks.
2018: Our Atlanta lodge debuted a third-generation resort design with richer theming, more attractions, and a deeper sense of the Northwoods spirit that defines the Great Wolf experience.
2022: We celebrated 25 years of making family memories.
Today, with 23 lodges across the United States and Canada, we’re proud to welcome more than 10 million guests each year. 
Suites Built for Families
Our guest suites are designed with families in mind. Unlike a standard hotel room, all Great Wolf Lodge suites sleep at least 6 people, so families can be together with enough space to relax after a day of fun.
Each lodge is a little different, but they all feature themed suites which embrace the Northwoods feel, including a separate kids' sleeping area with bunk beds built right into the room, turning bedtime into part of the adventure.
Premium suites have room for more people and/or extended families, as well as groups traveling together. They can sleep more than six people.
With in-room amenities like mini-fridges, pull-out sofas, and more, our spacious suites provide a welcoming environment to make memories together as a family, and less time stressing about logistics.
Free Daily Events
Every lodge offers free daily activities for everyone who is staying overnight or visiting with a Day Pass. All these events are family-friendly and include things like morning family yoga, story time, character appearances, arts & crafts, games, and our signature nightly family dance parties. Character appearances feature the Great Wolf Pack cast — Wiley Wolf, Violet Wolf, and their friends — which are especially meaningful for younger guests. We pay special attention to all the details to make sure our music is fun (but PG rated) and all activities work for every age group.
Attractions
The water park is the heart of every Great Wolf Lodge: a massive, climate-controlled space kept at a comfortable 84°F year-round, regardless of the weather outside. Inside the water park, expect pools, slides, toddler areas, a giant water-tipping bucket, and much more.
MagiQuest is one of the attractions outside the water park that sets Great Wolf Lodge apart from other water park resorts. It turns the entire lodge into a live-action interactive game where guests are the star. Players choose a magic wand, top it with extra powers, and set off on a quest throughout the lodge.
All Great Wolf Lodges feature many indoor activities perfect for a rainy day or to help keep kids entertained when they’re done with the water park. Attractions include Ten Paw Alley Mini Bowling, Howl In One Mini Golf, Oliver’s Mining Company (where kids sift through “paydirt” for gemstones) and a variety of other physical and virtual attractions.
Our Values
We Are One Pack: We help every Pack Member feel they belong. We assume positive intent, and listen with empathy and curiosity.
We Improve Every Day: We always reach for more. We value feedback as fuel for growth and stay adaptable in the face of change.
We Get It Done With Care: We're creative in finding solutions, take pride and ownership in our work, and we celebrate the wins — big and small.
Our Leadership
Great Wolf Resorts is led by a team of experienced hospitality professionals united by a shared passion for families, people, and excellence.
Safety
At Great Wolf Lodge, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our guests and Pack Members. From industry-leading lifeguard training certified by Ellis & Associates to rigorous health, cleanliness, and water-quality standards across all our resorts, we go above and beyond to ensure a secure, worry-free environment for your family. Visit our Water Park Safety page to learn more about our safety protocols and guidelines.
Groups & Meetings
Every year, Great Wolf Lodge hosts thousands of corporate conferences, team retreats, sports team celebrations, and family reunions across North America. Combining flexible meeting spaces and state-of-the-art catering with world-class resort amenities, we turn standard events into memorable experiences. Visit our Groups & Meetings page to start planning your next event.
Recognition
Great Wolf Lodge has been recognized repeatedly as one of the best family resort destinations in North America, including:
- Best Family Hotel — Family Vacation Critic (2014, 2015)
- 10 Best Indoor Water Parks — USA Today (2026)
- Best Family Resort — USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice (2015)
- Best Family-Friendly Waterpark — WhereverFamily (2025)
Come Find Us
With 23 lodges across the United States and Canada, there's a Great Wolf Lodge closer than you think. Each property features our signature indoor water park, themed accommodations, restaurants, a full arcade, and daily events and activities for every member of the family, from toddlers to grandparents.
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. Chicago, Illinois www.greatwolf.com
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. is owned by Blackstone.
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