PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (May 6, 2025) – When Dolly Parton opened Dollywood’s Splash Country in 2001, her vision was to have a water park that offered families and friends summertime fun and splashy adventures in the scenic Great Smoky Mountains. As Splash Country opens for its 25thseason on May 10, the award-winning water park known for its breathtaking mountain setting and constant commitment to safety continues to be the best place anywhere to cool off in the summer heat and make lasting memories.
Whether guests are looking for thrills or just to chill, Dollywood’s Splash Country is the perfect summer retreat for the whole family and offers nearly 40 rides and attractions for water enthusiasts throughout its 35 acres. Thrill seekers can enjoy rides like RiverRush, Tennessee’s first water coaster, Fire Tower Falls and Mountain Twist, while other guests will want to feel the warmth of the summer sunshine while drifting down the Downbound Float Trip lazy river or splashing in the water at the Mountain Waves wave pool.
Throughout Dollywood’s Splash Country’s history, water park guests have been treated to much more than pools and slides. Beyond the family environment full of immersive theming, the water park also puts an emphasis on entertainment, and this 25th year of summer fun sees the return of the Splash Bash Music Series. These live music offerings take place at the wave pool stage, turning the area into a unique combination of both wave pool and dance party. A full list of artists and dates can be found online.
The water park’s culinary team has created a wave of tasty treats to keep guests fueled up for fun among all the rides and slides and summer fun. Among the new food offerings for the 2025 season are Chicken Street Corn Nachos, available at the Watering Hole and Big River Pavilion, Chicken Alfredo Pizza served up at Campsite Grill and Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders on the menu at Oakley Bros Food Wagon. Additional delicious summertime meals and treats can be found at Dogs N Taters, Ned’s Bear Paws and Mountain Waves Creamery.
“We always are excited to bring new food offerings to the park,” said Andrew McDonald, Splash Country’s Manager of Culinary Services. “Food is an essential part of our guests’ visits, and we want to make sure we provide as many varieties and offerings as possible.”
Dollywood’s Splash Country offers unique spaces where families can relax together in between those slides and rides. Cozy canopies and waterside retreats offer families and friends the ultimate opportunity to relax in style during a day at the water park. For guests bringing an extended family for a day at the water park, the Family Reunion Retreat presented by Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen provides the maximum level of rest and relaxation and can accommodate large groups of more than 12 people.
Dollywood’s Splash Country is offering special meal bundles for guests to enjoy some of their tastiest culinary offerings. Tickets start at $54.95+tax for one-day admission, and guests can include a meal and drink for just $5 more or a meal, drink and snack for just $10 more. Guests looking for a summer full of even more adventure can upgrade to a two-park season pass, which offers admission to both Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country (during the water park’s operating season through September 21). The Dollywood’s Splash Country All-Season Dining Pass gives guests one meal and one snack during each visit and can be added to the Water Park Dining Pass to any Two-Park Pass or multi-day ticket for just $65+tax.
With all the excitement that comes from its many rides and slides, Dollywood’s Splash Country lifeguards always keep safety as the top priority for every day at the waterpark. This aquatic team is known for their many awards and recognition for safety and aquatic training, including being honored with the Ellis and Associates’ Platinum International Safety Award for both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and in 2024, the water park received the prestigious Al Turner Memorial Commitment to Excellence Award from the World Waterpark Association. As part of the park’s continued dedication to safety, Splash Country hosts the 15th annual Water Safety Day presented by Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen on June 26. The day is full of safe swim education highlighted by Splash Country’s participation in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, a global event that raises awareness about the vital importance of teaching kids to swim and water safety.
“We are proud of our entire aquatics team and the emphasis they place on their training and our guests’ safety,” said Jordan Leach, Director of Operations.
Dollywood’s Splash Country opens this weekend, May 10-11. Daily operation begins Saturday, May 17, and continues through Aug. 9. The park shifts to weekend operations through Sept. 21, which is the final day of operation. For more information about Dollywood’s Splash Country and details on all ticket offerings, please visit www.dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
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About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, Dollywood Parks & Resorts—which celebrates its 40th anniversary season in 2025—consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and two award-winning resort properties: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 64 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to mid-September. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
Media Contacts:
Pete Owens: Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or [email protected]
Wes Ramey: Public Relations Director, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or [email protected]
Ellen Liston: Public Relations Manager, (865) 428-9629, (865) 919-7001 or [email protected]
Jennifer Webb: Sr. Publicist, (865) 428-9602, (865) 323-7584 or [email protected]
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room