Great Wolf Lodge is a resort and outdoor waterpark of 30 acres (12 ha) located in Gurnee, Illinois near Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills. The resort is operated by Great Wolf Resorts. It had originally opened in 2008 as Key Lime Cove and was listed as the "Official Resort of Six Flags Great America".[3] The resort is located about an hour north of Chicago and less than an hour south of Milwaukee.
History
Key Lime Cove operations (2008–2017)
Around 2007, the resort named Key Lime Cove was constructed. It opened the following year with a tropical themed water park.
Nine years later, in 2017, the hotel announced its closure. It was announced that it would be owned by Great Wolf Lodge and would have extensive renovations throughout the hotel.[4] This ended the partnership with Six Flags Great America.
Great Wolf Resort operations (since 2018)
Renovations on the new Great Wolf Lodge finished in summer of 2018. The renovated hotel opened on July 1, 2018,[5] featuring a forest and wolf theme. The water park expanded by adding water slides near the original slide complexes. The exterior was painted a brown and peach color and the MagiQuest game was incorporated throughout the park.
In April 2020, the hotel closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic to quarantine navy recruits.[6] The hotel reopened on August 24, 2020, with temperature checks.[7]
Entertainment
Attractions
Level 1
Wiley's Waterpark – A water park with a variety of water slides and pools named after Wiley the Wolf, the mascot of Great Wolf Lodge.[8]
Rustic Ridge Climbing Wall – A 21-foot climbing wall.[9]
Howl in One Mini Golf – A mini golf game with nine courses.[10]
Northern Lights Arcade – An arcade with prizes and games.[11]
Olivers Mining Co. – Sand-sifting experience hunt for a variety of gemstones.[12]
