5 of the Top 10 Indoor Waterparks in America? Built With OpenAire Retractable Roofs.
USA TODAY released its 2026 10Best list of the country’s top indoor waterparks and half of them have one thing in common: they are housed in an OpenAire aluminum retractable roof enclosure.
From the #1 spot all the way to #10, OpenAire technology is behind some of the most celebrated waterpark experiences in the industry:
No. 1: Kalahari Resorts (Multiple Locations) America’s top-ranked indoor waterpark brand, with OpenAire retractable roof enclosures across its portfolio — including the newest expansion currently rising in Wisconsin Dells.
No. 2: Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark (Grand Prairie, TX) Home to the Gold standard in municipal waterparks this curved retractable roof enclosure in the U.S., Epic Waters proves that a retractable roof isn’t just a feature, it’s a revenue strategy, turning a seasonal attraction into a 365-day destination.
No. 3: Tropic Falls at OWA (Foley, AL) A signature project bringing year-round tropical fun to the Gulf Coast under an OpenAire enclosure built to withstand hurricane winds common to the region and including a 100ft wide opening wall seamlessly blending indoor amenities to the outdoor wave pool.
No. 4: Bavarian Blast Waterpark (Frankenmuth, MI) Michigan’s biggest indoor waterpark, topped with a custom OpenAire skylight roof that floods the park with natural light and keeps it a comfortable 80°F no matter the season.
No. 10: WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort (Rapid City, SD) One of OpenAire’s original waterpark partnerships (built in 2005) and still going strong as the largest retractable roof waterpark in the Dakotas.
Why It Matters
When half of the nation’s best-reviewed indoor waterparks share the same roof technology, it’s not a coincidence, it’s a pattern. Retractable roof enclosures give operators the flexibility to run as an open-air park on beautiful days and a fully enclosed, climate-controlled attraction through rain, heat, or snow. That flexibility translates directly into what USA TODAY readers are voting for: better guest experiences, longer operating seasons, and waterparks that feel special every time you visit.
Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees and to the five parks proving that the best indoor waterparks in America are the ones that know how to open up.