The Story of America's Largest Indoor Waterparks

In the mid-1990s, the Nelson family took their first trip to Africa—and the vibrant culture, spirit, and artistry made a lasting impression on Todd Nelson. Inspired by the beauty and craftsmanship he experienced, the young entrepreneur envisioned a waterpark that celebrated the richness of African cultures. As Wisconsin Dells grew into the “Waterpark Capital of the World,” Nelson brought his vision to life by opening the first Kalahari Resort in 2000—and the rest is history.

Waterpark Expansion, Coming Soon!

Kalahari announces an $85 million expansion to our indoor waterpark in Wisconsin Dells! Get ready for even bigger slides, more fun, and a whole lot more splash.

Kalahari Adventure Collection

Kalahari is taking adventure to a whole new level with the groundbreaking of the Kalahari Adventure Collection—featuring Treehouses, Glamping, Villas, and a brand-new supper club for the ultimate getaway!

Partnership with charity: water

Kalahari partners with charity: water, committing $50 million to help bring clean drinking water to 1 million people in Africa.

The Kalahari Food & (Not Just) Wine Festival

The first Kalahari Food & (Not Just) Wine Festival debuted at our Round Rock resort, sparking a new tradition. Now, guests can experience this annual celebration of flavor and fun at both our Round Rock and Poconos locations.

The First VR Waterslide

Kalahari introduced America’s first-ever VR waterslide at our Poconos Resort—and it quickly made waves, earning the title of Best Water Slide by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice in 2025!

4th Resort in Round Rock, TX

Kalahari went big in Round Rock, TX—opening the fourth and largest Kalahari Resort yet, which also became America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark again!

Convention Center Expansions

Kalahari turns up the heat on Conventions with major expansions in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania!

Tom Foolerys Adventure Park

Kalahari unleashed more thrills with Tom Foolerys Adventure Park in Wisconsin Dells—now also open at our Round Rock resort!

National Waterpark Day

Kalahari thought waterparks deserved their own holiday, so they founded National Waterpark Day on July 28th!

Introducing: Double Cut Steak House

Kalahari fired up the grill and opened the very first Double Cut Steak House in the Wisconsin Dells resort. Since then, Double Cut has made its way to three of our four locations—including Round Rock and the Pocono

3rd Resort in Pocono Mountains, PA

Next stop: the Pocono Mountains! Kalahari proudly opened a third resort, bringing all the fun, thrills, and relaxation to this scenic getaway.

Convention Center Expansion in Ohio

Bigger, bolder, and ready to impress—Kalahari Sandusky unveils a $22 million convention center expansion, officially becoming the Midwest’s largest resort convention complex!

Waterpark Expansion

Kalahari went all in on the fun in Sandusky—expanding the resort and officially becoming America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark, once again!

Introducing: Trappers Turn Golf Club

Kalahari took a swing at something new and added Trappers Turn to the family—a championship 27-hole golf course in Wisconsin Dells with a top-notch practice green and year-round dining that’s always on par!

2nd Resort in Sandusky, OH

Kalahari hit the road and brought the experience to Sandusky, OH—opening our second resort and doubling the fun!

The First FlowRider®

Kalahari made waves by bringing in the first-ever indoor surfing ride—the FlowRider®!

More Ways to Relax

Kalahari turned up the glam! Spa Kalahari at our Wisconsin Dells resort got a fabulous upgrade with the addition of a brand-new hair salon.

Wisconsin Dells Waterpark Expansion

Kalahari made a splash in Wisconsin Dells—expanding the indoor waterpark and claiming the title of America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark!

1st Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI

In 2000, the Nelson Family proudly opened the doors to the first Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI—kicking off 25 incredible years of adventure.

More Over the Years

: December: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells adds a $12 million expansion to make it the nation’s largest indoor waterpark at 125,000 square feet.

June: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells debuts 120 condominium units, the first condominiums in the nation attached to a convention center.

The first-ever indoor surfing ride, the FlowRider®, makes its debut at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells, the nation’s largest indoor waterpark.

February: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells adds a championship golf course to the already extraordinary list of amenities when it purchases Trappers Turn Golf Club.

June: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Sandusky marks its one-year anniversary by unveiling an impressive, newly expanded 77,000-square-foot outdoor waterpark featuring a wide array of new amenities, including luxurious African-styled private bungalows.

: January: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Sandusky opens its expanded indoor waterpark — the largest in the U.S. at 173,000 square feet — featuring a Texlon transparent roof, and other unique waterpark features such as the world’s largest behemoth bowl, mat racers, a second FlowRider® and much more.

: December: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Sandusky opens a $22 million convention center expansion, making it the largest convention center resort complex in the Midwest.

: June: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions announces its intention to build the company’s fourth resort in Round Rock, Texas.

March: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions opens “Phase 2” in the Pocono Mountains. Included in the expansion is America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark, additional rooms bringing the total to nearly 1,000, signature dining experiences and more.

May: The Sandusky, Ohio property adds five new slides to its outdoor waterpark, including family fun raft rides, extreme thrill rides, and loop slides.

July: Kalahari Resorts founds National Waterpark Day on July 28, 2017. The holiday is recognized by National Day Calendar.

November: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Sandusky opens its brand-new waterslide, The StormChaser, a slide that knows who you are! This wild ride integrates skill, speed, and competitive sports into an experience that will define the waterparks of the future.

: November: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells opened Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, a 100,000 sq ft indoor adventure park featuring a 6-story ferris wheel, thrilling rides, a challenging ropes course, climbing wall, a zip line, bowling, laser tag, mini golf and 250 of the very best in arcade games.

August: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells expanded its convention center to 212,000 square feet, doubling the available flexible meeting space to include three ballrooms and a total of 45 meeting rooms.

December: Kalahari Resorts and Conventions – Poconos expanded its convention center by 105,000 sq. ft., bringing the grand total to 205,000 sq. ft., including 33 meeting rooms, four large ballrooms and an Exclusive Executive Conference Center for up to 400 guests.

January: Kalahari Resorts and Conventions – Sandusky becomes the first Sensory Friendly Certified resort in the Midwest.

May: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions celebrates the brand’s 20^th anniversary.

November: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions opens its fourth property in Round Rock, Texas – the brand’s first expansion to the Southwest. With 223,000 sq. ft. of indoor waterpark attractions, the Round Rock property is now America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark Resort featuring 975 guest rooms, three acres of outdoor pools, Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, 20 on-site dining options and a 200,000 sq. ft. convention center for meetings and events.

July: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells expands Trappers Turn Golf Club with 12North, a new 12-hole short course designed by professional golfer Andy North.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions celebrates the fourth anniversary of National Waterpark Day with the launch of America’s first virtual reality waterslide at the Pocono Mountains resort.

December: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells announces the addition of Redd’s Piano Bar & Lounge.

February: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Pocono Mountains announces opening of Cinco Niños, a modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar.

March: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions announces its intention to build the company’s fifth resort in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

June: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions announces The Water Colors Life Project through its Nelson Family Life Foundation, providing clean water to communities in Africa and African artists.

November: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions introduces its first-ever Food and (Not Just) Wine Festival at its Round Rock, Texas, location, reinforcing its commitment to culinary exploration.

February: Upgrades to the guest check-in experience are added at Pocono Manor location, including the addition of a VIP Emerald lounge.

March: Construction begins on a 237-room expansion at Wisconsin Dells, reinforcing Kalahari’s commitment to the Waterpark Capital of the World.

May: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions launches its partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop, offering families an all-new way to make memories to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark resorts.

Sandusky, Ohio, location expands outdoor waterpark with the addition of a 15,000 sq. ft. pool, a 50-foot drop tower, and a reimagined zipline experience.

June: Round Rock, Texas location expands outdoor waterpark with the addition of Bugs Burrow, a 900 ft Adventure River and an adult swim-up bar, Thirsty Turtle.

October: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions breaks ground on its fifth resort, coming to Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

November: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions commits $50 Million to Provide Clean Water to One Million People in Africa in Partnership with charity: water.

December: Kalahari Resorts partners with MACS Macaroni and Cheese Shop to open their first out-of-state location at Kalahari’s Round Rock, Texas property.

March: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions breaks ground on Luxury Treehouse Resort on Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells.

Kalahari Resorts Founds New National Holiday: National Tom Foolerys Day on April 1.

May: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions introduces Food and (Not Just) Wine Festival to Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania location