Oklahoma City may be the 20th largest city in the country (and, apparently, the Horse Show Capital of the world!), but it’s rarely mentioned in mainstream “Must See” bucket lists. To that, we say neither was Orlando, Florida, before Disney thunked down its empire in 1971 and called those fated 25,000 acres of marshland home. A sprawling property owned by Oklahoma’s native Chickasaw Nation, the OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark opened in March, and—with a 100,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, multiple restaurants, and a 4.5-acre adventure lagoon that’s so big you’ll feel like you’re lakeside—it’s a destination bound to put OKC on the map.
Here’s everything you need to know about OKANA Resort—as well as what to do in Oklahoma City when you’re dried off and ready to explore.
What is OKANA Resort?
OKANA—named by combining the Chickasaw words ‘Oka,’ meaning water, and ‘inkana,’ meaning friend—is a 40-acre indoor (and outdoor) waterpark resort that opened March 6, 2025.
Designed for families, the $400 million project aims to be a major tourist draw, featuring an 11-story hotel, a large arcade (with a mirror maze, laser tag, and escape room), 13 food and beverage spots, an impressive indoor waterpark and a giant outdoor lagoon with a sandy beach and various water adventure attractions. It is reportedly one of the state’s largest tourism developments in recent years and the largest indoor waterpark in the state.
Fun Fact: The OKANA Lagoon is now the fourth-largest pool in the country.
Where is it?
Located about 20 minutes northeast of Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport and on the outskirts of downtown OKC, OKANA sits along the Oklahoma River in the city’s up-and-coming “Horizons” district. Though it’s not quite walkable, a pedestrian bridge and walkway are under construction and will eventually connect OKANA to other trails that lead downtown.
It’s also next door to the First Americans Museum, a space dedicated to preserving the collective histories of Oklahoma’s 39 Native American tribes—a fitting spot, given that the land, and the OKANA Resort itself, is owned by the Chickasaw Nation, a tribe believed to have made its home in the southeastern United States for thousands of years.
About the indoor waterpark
OKANA’s indoor waterpark features 15 slides, including a thrilling water coaster that zips riders up and down steep hills. Our favorite slide was Racing Rapids, which lets three people compete against each other as they race down twisty-turny tubes. There’s also a wave pool, a lazy river, a toddler slide area, and an interactive water play structure packed with smaller water slides, splash zones, and tipping buckets.
Note: Most of the larger slides have a 42-inch height limit. Some, like the “Tidal Twist,” which plunges riders into a large funnel, require riders to be at least 48 inches.
For parents who aren’t keen on slip-and-sliding (or who want to leave the rigorous stuff to the other parent), there’s a full bar and a warm soaking pool inside the waterpark, both of which overlook the slides and are perfect for relaxing while keeping an eye on the kids.
About “OKANA Beach”
When you want to get some fresh air and sunshine, the OKANA Beach outdoor lagoon area is every bit the destination, with a floating obstacle course, an over-the-pool zip line, a platform where kids can leap about 20 feet into the water, and two zippy slides that end with a sudden drop into a deep water pool.
The centerpiece here, of course, is the huge lagoon, which features a zero-entry sandy beach. For the true lakeside feel, the lagoon is lined with lounge chairs and dotted with private cabanas (that rent for about $300 per day), so wherever you sit you’ll have a view of the water (as well as the giant outdoor movie screen that plays music videos, sports, or movies all day long).
Note: Kids under 48″ are required to wear life jackets (provided, or you can bring your own) while swimming or riding slides, both indoor and outdoor.
There’s also an adults-only lounge pool and swim-up bar, where folks without kids can get some R&R—and where tired parents can look on longingly as their littles scream “Mom! Watch! Watch this! Watch! Mommy! Mommy! Mom!” All. Day. Long.
While the indoor waterpark will be open year-round, the outdoor lagoon is closed from Labor Day through Memorial Day. During colder months, the resort plans to convert the lagoon into a giant ice skating rink.
What are the OKANA hotel rooms like?
Clean and spacious—with hardwood floors that feel cool and fresh. The hotel’s 404 suites reflect seven different room types, including those with outdoor patios and balconies as well as extra bedrooms and bunk beds for larger families. Rates start at about $215 per night.
All rooms feature 65″ TVs (our room had THREE—one in the main bedroom, one in the extra bedroom, and one in the sitting area), in-room safes, refrigerators, coffee, and bottled water. The beds are super-comfortable, with overstuffed pillows, clean, crisp linens, and mattresses so comfy I actually slept well—and I’m a hit-or-miss sleeper when I travel. (My teenagers slept until noon every day we were there, but that doesn’t say much, because, well, teens.)
How’s the food?
Great! And surprisingly allergy-friendly (I’m gluten-free, and my kids don’t eat pork or shellfish, so sometimes dining out can be tricky). With 13 food and beverage locations (many of which are casual walk-up food spots), there are plenty of places to fill hungry bellies. The indoor waterpark alone has three food stands, including a pizza place (with gluten-free pizza!), an Asian street food stand, and a slider spot. At the outdoor lagoon, a walk-up restaurant serves quick bites like chicken tenders, salads, and fries.
Of the sit-down restaurants, standouts include Smokehouse Social, a barbecue joint with deliciously hot wings and giant sports simulators where my kids played virtual archery, golf, and more; and Jack Rabbit, a gastropub with, according to my teen connoisseur, a “delicious” filet mignon. Note: Curveball Kitchen, a restaurant with baseball simulators, wasn’t yet open at the time of our visit.
Of course, our most visited “food” spot was the OKANA Candy Co., which my kids thoroughly enjoyed, especially since their waterpark wristbands allowed access to my credit card (this can be changed at the front desk). The beloved spot offers a smorgasbord of specialty and retro candies, and serves some of the best ice cream I’ve had in a long time (try the bourbon-spiked “Exhausted Parent” flavor).
What else is there to do around the resort?
A lot! That’s the thing about this place—there’s so MUCH to do that you won’t want to leave the property! Expect to drop about $75 on game cards at the huge arcade, which has an escape room, a mirror maze, and a laser tag arena. Or, if your body is sore from racing your kids down the slides, consider making an appointment at the OKANA spa, which offers a range of treatments including massages, facials, scrubs, and nail services.
What else is there to do in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City is a quirky blend of Southern charm, Midwestern flair, and classic cowboy culture. While you’ll be hard-pressed to get your water babies out of the pool, it’s worth exploring. Some highlights include:
Bricktown
Located just across the street from the city’s popular minor league baseball stadium, Bricktown feels like a smaller version of San Antonio’s River Walk. Boats glide down narrow canals lined with charming restaurants and bars. During the day, the area is quiet and serene, but it comes alive at night, especially on weekends and game days.
The Museum of Osteology
OK, I’m not sure what kind of science-loving kid would put this on their wishlist (there’s actually a “Forensic Night” on its calendar)—but it’s worth mentioning because it’s America’s only skeleton museum, featuring hundreds of preserved specimens from around the world. Apparently, the gift shop alone makes the visit worthwhile.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Yeehaw, y’all! Kids can dress up like little cowpokes and explore the Children’s Cowboy Corral. There’s also an impressive collection of Western art and sculpture, along with exhibits on cowboy life—everything from hats and boots to spurs and six-shooters.
Riversport
Got budding adrenaline-junkies? Riversport is one of the only whitewater venues in the world that offers recreational, competition, and freestyle channels, all built along the Oklahoma River but controlled through a system of pumps and gates that simulate natural rapids. In addition to whitewater rafting, Riversport offers tubing and kayaking, a cross-river zipline, and a Sky Trail adventure course—complete with high-speed slides several stories tall.
Oklahoma National Stockyards
Bizarre as it may sound, visiting the world’s largest continuously operating cattle market in action is a uniquely OKC experience. The live cattle auctions, held every Monday and Tuesday, offer a glimpse into the city’s ranching roots. Nearby Stockyard City is also a fun stop for Western wear and old-school cowboy vibes.
To learn more about OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark, go to Okanaresort.com.
*This trip was paid for by OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, but the opinions expressed in this article are the author’s alone.
here’s everything you need to know about okana resort & indoor waterpark—as well as what to do in oklahoma city when you’re ready to explore.
