Splash The Day Away At Soaky Mountain

Posted by Darryl Payne in Sevierville Attractions

When a lot of folks think about waterparks in the Smokies, the first thing to come to mind may be Dollywood's Splash Country, which has been around for about 20 years. But now there's a new outdoor waterpark game in town. It's called Soaky Mountain (you gotta love the wordplay), and it's located just off Tenn. Hwy. 66 in Sevierville, near Wilderness at the Smokies Resort. (By the way, that resort is known for its large indoor water park that guests can enjoy year 'round.)

Soaky Mountain offers a little bit of everything for Smoky Mountain visitors who like to have fun in the water. There are lots of traditional ways of going about it (water slides, river attraction, wave pool, etc.), but this newest waterpark in the mountains has several unique features and attractions you won't find anywhere else in the area. Read on, and we'll take you on a wet-and-wild tour of Soaky Mountain.

As we said, there's something for all ages and interests at Soaky Mountain, but we'll start you off with what the park calls its thrill rides. One worth noting is called the Avalaunch Watercoaster, which is what it sounds like: a water roller coaster! It's a two-person raft ride that propels passengers up hills, down into valleys and through wide-open turns. At the end, there's a deep plunge to a splashy finish at the bottom. Also look for Blue Mountain Mayhem, a five-person raft ride with two gravity-challenging walls that give riders moments of weightlessness before dropping back into another splash-filled finish.

If you're a fan of tall, steep water slides, you'll want to try Whoop!, where the floor literally drops out from under you, sending you on your way down to the bottom, and Holler!, which starts out with a gentle slope and then sends you plummeting the rest of the way to the bottom. You also won't want to miss Splash & Furious, a four-lane, mat-racing slide that lets our competitive guests engage in a head-to-head-to-head-to-head race to the finish.

But don't worry; Soaky Mountain also has lots of attractions the whole family can enjoy. These include Soaky Surge, a 35,000-square-foot wave pool that can generate six-foot-tall waves; Rainbow Revenge, a five-person raft ride that dazzles the senses with translucent slide effects and multicolored channels; and Black Bear Rapids, a lazy river ride that's anything but lazy. Spanning more than 24,000 square feet, it's more of an adventure river, complete with waves and rapids. Also look for more traditional water slides like Copperhead Clash, Cottonmouth Coils, Timber Rattler's Rage and American Racer's Rush.

Are there slides and attractions for smaller children? Yes, chlorine breath! The Hive is a kids' play zone with features such as a water bucket dump, body slides and a body bowl. At Boomer's Bay, you'll find pint-sized versions of many of the bigger slides and attractions. For example, Mini Mayhem is a smaller version of the gravity-defying Blue Mountain Mayhem ride, and Lil Rattlers is a basic tube slide for little 'uns.

You'll find several unique attractions at Soaky Mountain that help it stand out in the local waterpark game. Hang 10essee uses FlowRider surf technology to help guests simulate surfing without having to paddle out and catch a wave; Slippery Salamanders is a double-laned inflatable water obstacle course; Coyote Springs is unique in that it's just a basic swimming pool. But that makes it perfect for guests who may want to take a break from the action for a while. Or it may be good for moms and/or dads who want to chill poolside while the kids go crazy on the wilder attractions.

Besides all the rides, slides and attractions at Soaky Mountain, there are lots of features and amenities designed to help enhance the overall guest experience. Look for several food vendors on site, including the Tacolicious taco truck, Candy Cabin (homemade candies and chocolates), Base Camp Bistro, Rolly Macaroni food truck, Bee Good Café (for kids) and the Soaky Shake Shoppe, just to mention a few.

You'll also find Soaky Mountain merch, keepsakes and gear at the Mountain Mercantile shop – the place to go if you find you've forgotten to bring an essential like towels, sunscreen, flip-flops, etc. And at Honeycomb Gifts & Gear, you'll find necessities for younger kids, including swim diapers and sunscreen.

Other onsite amenities include cabana and locker rentals. Shaded cabanas come with a table and comfortable chairs, and they're located at different sections throughout the park. Locker rentals are ideal for storing a change of clothes or anything you don't want to lose or get wet during your visit.

Currently, a one-day admission to Soaky Mountain waterpark is $44.99 ($39.99 for guests 42 inches and shorter). Tickets are required for guests ages 3 and older. You can also get a season pass for $99.99 (although we're not sure if that price is currently pro rated, or if it might carry over into next season). Generally, the park is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in peak season (late May through August). Then they go to weekends only in September.

Soaky Mountain is located on Gists Creek Rd., just off Tenn. Hwy. 66, between Interstate 40 and downtown Sevierville. It's in a cluster of increasing tourist development, sitting just across the road from the Sevierville Convention Center, Wilderness at the Smokies Resort (which consists of multiple lodge properties) and the Sevierville Golf Club. And as we mentioned earlier, Wilderness at the Smokies has an impressive indoor waterpark of its own, where guests can have splashy fun all year long.

Other nearby sites include the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River (which is good for kayaking or canoeing), Smoky Mountain Helicopters (aerial tours) and a wide range of antique shops, specialty shops and restaurants. If you don't want to stay at Wilderness at the Smokies, you'll find a number of other local and national hotel and motel brands within close range.

 

 

This content posted by Smoky Mountain Vacation Info. Visit our home page, www.smokymountainvacationinfo.com for the latest information on lodging, attractions, restaurants, and more.

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