OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is an indoor outdoor waterpark resort in Oklahoma City that just opened a year ago, and we have already been there three times over the last year. Clearly our family loves visiting there! OKANA combines the excitement of a waterpark with the atmosphere of a modern resort getaway. What makes OKANA stand out is that it really is more than just a waterpark or hotel. Between the indoor and outdoor water attractions, lagoon with sand, restaurants, arcade, kid friendly events, spa and family-friendly suites, it is a place where you can easily stay a few days without ever needing to leave the property. Mom win! If you are looking for a fun family getaway within driving distance from Memphis, OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is one of the newest family-friendly resorts to add to your list.
Why Families Love OKANA Resort
One of the biggest reasons families love OKANA is because there truly is something for every age! Younger kids like Grayson can enjoy the splash areas and lazy river indoors and the sand outdoors, while older kids and teens will love the bigger slides, obstacle course and surf simulator. Parents can relax at the lagoon, book a cabana or even enjoy some downtime at the spa while still being close to the action. The entire resort has a more elevated and modern design than a typical indoor waterpark hotel. It feels more like a true vacation resort while still being incredibly kid-friendly. That is most definitely a win win!
The Outdoor Lagoon & Waterpark
The outdoor area at OKANA almost feels like a beach resort in the middle of Oklahoma. Yes, a beach in Oklahoma. Those are the true vibes you will get when outdoors at the 4.5 acre lagoon. The outdoor waterpark and lagoon area includes sandy beach areas, an inflatable obstacle course, cabanas for rent, pools and plenty of lounge space. The pool there is HUGE and has a big screen with music and games on it for everyone to watch. There is also an adults only pool and a swim-up bar which is a nice touch for parents wanting a little relaxation during the trip. Grayson loved playing in the sand and splashing in the lagoon, and spent most of his time there.
Behind the lagoon is Bounce Bay. It is an inflatable obstacle course where kids can climb, jump, slide and bounce. This is Leighton and Amelia’s favorite area at the outdoor portion of the waterpark. The minimum age is 6 years old. The girls spent about an hour here and really loved it! You will have to sign a waiver and wait in line. They only allow entry of so many people at once to ensure safety.
There are 2 water slides outdoors that were closed when we were there, but if you’re wanting to do waterslides, I recommend visiting the indoor waterpark, as they have 13 waterslides that are inside. They also have an outdoor area called Zip & Dip where you can zipline. And there is Summit Splash where you can jump off their diving boards into the water below.
If you’re at the outdoor waterpark and get hungry or thirsty, there is Okasis, the outdoor swim-up bar in the adult’s only area. And if the family gets hungry, there is Waterbyrd. Here you will find quite bite foods and snacks that will fill up hungry kids. If you love sand, pools and the water, I highly recommend their outdoor waterpark. It was a lot of fun for the kids, and it was super relaxing for the adults. If you’re a big fan of waterslides or games, you’ll want to explore indoors at OKANA Resort!
The Indoor Waterpark
The indoor waterpark is one of the main highlights of the resort and spans over 100,000 square feet. Our kids love it so much in here! There is High Tide wave pool, a Splash Zone for young kids will several slides, Low Tide which is an area for younger children and has a slide and lazy river, 8 waterslides, Flowrider, Okana Crossing challenge course, Enchanted River lazy river and an adults pool for ages 21 and up. There are so many spots for the entire family to have fun here! One of the best parts is that the indoor waterpark stays open year-round, making this a great destination even during colder months or rainy weekends.
Family-Friendly Rooms & Suites
OKANA has over 400 rooms and suites designed for families, couples and larger groups. One of the coolest options for families is the bunk suites. These rooms include bunk bed setups for kids while still giving parents comfortable space to relax too. Many rooms also overlook the lagoon or Oklahoma River which makes the stay feel even more resort-like. If you are traveling with kids, I definitely recommend looking into the bunk suites because they make the stay much easier and more fun for families.
We stayed in the deluxe king bunk room last fall, and we were really happy with it! It had a tub/shower combo and toilet in the bathroom. The sink and vanity area was outside the bathroom in the bedroom area, and I thought this was so nice and really convenient. There was a large bedroom with a king sized bed, a tv, a mini fridge, coffee maker and a pull-out sofa bed. There is also a separate space with 2 bunk beds in it, so you have 4 bunks total. This was perfect for our family of five! The area is small though, so the kids won’t be able to store their luggage in their bunk room just fyi. But there is plenty of room in the primary bedroom to store items. My only complaints would be that they made the bunk room a little bigger, add a door to separate that room and add a tv in their for the kids. Aside from that, we were really happy with everything. It was a great layout, and the kids loved sleeping in the bunkbeds.
When you arrive at the hotel, they have kiosks to check-in in the front lobby. They were fast, easy and super convenient! There was an attendant there to help also. They have both valet and self parking options. And they have luggage carts out front. The self park option is pretty far away, so I recommend valet if you’re traveling with lots of kids or luggage.
Other Things To Do at OKANA
Beyond the waterparks, there are several other activities families will enjoy including:
- Okanarama Arcade and entertainment area
- Seasonal activities and events
- Live music
- Crafts for kids
- Spa services
- Cabanas
- Outdoor entertainment spaces
It really is designed to feel like a full resort destination instead of just a hotel attached to a waterpark.
Dining at OKANA Resort
Another thing that surprised me about OKANA is how many dining options there are onsite. The resort features multiple restaurants, bars, snack spots and grab-and-go options throughout the property. A few popular spots include:
- Jack Rabbit
- Curveball Kitchen
- Chido Tacos x Tequila
- Smokehouse Social
- Waterbyrd
- OKASIS swim-up bar
- Market 56
This makes it really convenient for families because you can easily grab quick food during waterpark breaks or sit down for dinner without leaving the resort.
Is OKANA Worth Visiting?
If your family loves waterparks but you also want a resort that feels more modern, relaxing and elevated, I definitely think OKANA is worth the trip. It combines the fun of a traditional family waterpark vacation with more upscale resort amenities and thoughtful design. For families in Memphis, it also makes a really manageable 7 hour road trip option compared to flying somewhere farther away for a resort-style vacation. Whether you visit for a long weekend, spring break or a summer family trip, OKANA genuinely has something for everyone in the family.
