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What To Know About Dollywood’s Splash Country From a Local

splash country play area with large butterflies

If you're planning a trip to Dollywood Splash Country, brush up on a few tips before you go (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Please note, that TheSmokies.com may receive commissions for links in this article that lead to purchases from third-party vendors.

At a great waterpark, we long to unleash our inner child and be wild and free. As we head out to enjoy some Great Smoky Mountain water parks, including Dollywood’s water park Splash Country, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Dollywood Splash Country, along with some pro tips from a local.

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Are Dollywood and Splash Country connected?

Nope, the Dollywood theme park and Splash Country are not physically connected. However, the distance between the theme park and the water park isn’t much. Splash Country is located between DreamMore Resort and the theme park. In fact, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa often runs specials that include discounted or even free admission to the waterpark with your stay.

Fire Tower Falls at Dollywood Splash Country
Fire Tower Falls is one of the more thrilling rides at Dollywood Splash Country (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Can you visit Dollywood and Splash Country in one day?

Theoretically, sure. The water park is just a $10 add-on (at the time of this writing) to the regular price of a theme park ticket when you buy a multi-park ticket. Should you try to do both in one day? I presume, if you’re splitting your day, you’d hit the water park early and then transition over to the theme park in the evening. However, the day in the sun and water may wear you and your family out. I think you’re asking for misery trying to do both in a single day. Therefore, I recommend two days. One day at the water park and one day at the theme park. You can save a little on this plan by getting the two-day, 2 park tickets for $119. Remember, prices are subject to change. Check Tripster for tickets or the Dollywood website for current specials.

Splash Country's Canopies
If you want a more luxurious experience, consider a Splash Country canopy (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

When does Dollywood Splash Country open? 

The water park usually opens in mid-May when local schools begin dismissing. But the park always begins taking some weekdays off in late August and shuts down for good around Labor Day. The powers that be at Splash Country cling to an outdated model of Tennessee summer if you want my opinion. I suppose it’s because kids go back to school so much earlier now that they can’t support the weekday business. But, frankly, the last few Septembers have been plenty warm enough to keep the park open on the weekends. I think Dollywood could squeeze a few more summer weekends into the fall if they wanted.  Check for the current calendar on Dollywood’s website.

Fill and Chill station at Dollywood Splash Country
You can’t bring your own food into the park, but there are several on-site options available (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Can you bring food into Dollywood’s Splash Country?

There’s no question that a day at the waterpark is hungry work. You can’t bring snacks or food. However, you are allowed one unopened water bottle per person. All food outlets at the park also offer complimentary cups of water. There are several dining options in the park including Dogs N Taters and the Nashville Hot Chicken sliders at the Food Truck.

Little Creek Falls at Splash Country
Little Creek Falls has giant butterfly structures (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

What happens at Dollywood’s water park if it rains? 

Rain checks are available if park operations are interrupted because of severe weather. This doesn’t mean you want to leave early because it’s raining. This is for storms or other severe weather when park officials deem that rides and other operations must cease. All attractions will close when the park radar indicates cloud-to-ground or cloud-to-cloud lightning within a 10-mile radius. Attractions reopen when lightning clears a 10-mile radius for 15 minutes.

Splash Country has a true lazy river
Splash Country does have a few guidelines about swimwear (photo by James Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Does Splash Country have a dress code?

Here’s the bad news, if you’ve got a tattoo of a scantily-clad sailor and a love of mankinis, you’ll need to keep your eccentric tastes toned down inside the park. Dollywood has a set of guidelines governing swimwear that essentially boils down to keeping your naughty bits well and properly covered and none of this see-through business. Also, distracting tattoos must be covered while park management decides what is or is not distracting. The same basic rule applies to clothing. 

Mountain Scream at Dollywood Splash Country
Mountain Scream is a thrilling body slide at Splash Country (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

How much does it cost to get into Dollywood Splash Country?

A single-day ticket at the water park will cost $54.95 for adults at the time of this writing. Prices are subject to change. There are add-ons and combo packages available if you wish to visit both parks over multiple days. Check Tripster for tickets or the Dollywood website for current specials.

Does Splash Country provide towels?

No. You’ll want to bring your own towel, but there are some available for purchase in case you forget. Pro tip: It’s also a good idea to bring water shoes, your feet will easily burn if you go barefoot the whole day. Also, remember some sunglasses and a type of waterproof bag for your important items.

Dollywood Splash Country rides
Splash Country offers a mix of drop slides, water slides and float attractions (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

What rides does Dollywood Splash Country have?

Well, it’s a water park, they’re not out here reinventing the waterwheel. There is a large array of water slides and drop slides, some of which require a boat, tube or mat and some that do not.

mountain scream slides
The Mountain Scream is a set of body slides (photo by James Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Dollywood’s Splash Country rides and slides include:

1. Mountain Scream

Features racing body slides with your choice of corkscrew tunnels or quadruple drops.

2. Raging River Rapids

A waterslide that accommodates 5-person rafts.

3. RiverRush

This was Tennessee’s first water coaster.

swift water run entrance at splash mountain
Riders can either use a single or double float on SwiftWater Run (photo by James Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

4. SwiftWater Run

A corkscrew/chute combo slide that can accommodate either single floats or double floats.

5. Slick Rock Racer

A multi-lane, belly-down mat race.

6. Fire Tower Falls

A 70-foot high, twin free-fall slide that propels riders on a 280-foot track.

slides at splash country
Wild River Falls is a series of covered slides (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

7. Wild River Falls

A series of four twisting covered slides that tubers can race along to the waiting water below.

8. Mountain Twist

42 feet of twisting slides with three options for single-person mat riders.

9. Big Bear Plunge

An extreme white water rafting adventure.

tailspin racer ride at splash country
Tailspin Racer has six lanes of slides (photo by James Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

10. Tailspin Racer

This ride features six lanes of high-speed aqua tubes.

11. The Butterfly

A body plunge down two 55-foot-long slides ending in a butterfly-shaped pool.    

Splash Country also has a relaxing lazy river (Downbound Float Trip), a wave pool (Mountain Waves), and specially designated water play areas for smaller kids (The Cascades and Bear Mountain Fire Tower). Have you ever tried going to both Dollywood parks in a single day? What tips would you offer about Splash Country in Pigeon Forge? Let us know in the comments below.

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