Arizona’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier family vacation destinations could receive another boost as Great Wolf Lodge explores an expansion of its resort in Scottsdale’s thriving Talking Stick Entertainment District.
The indoor water park resort is seeking approval to add a six-story suite tower designed specifically for larger families, a move that reflects continued demand for family-oriented travel experiences in Arizona. If approved, the project would strengthen one of the state’s most popular tourism corridors while encouraging longer stays and increased visitor spending at nearby attractions.
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“We’re always looking for opportunities to bring the Great Wolf Lodge experience to more families,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “We’re in a very early exploratory phase for a potential expansion of our Arizona resort. Part of our exploratory process includes working with local officials to secure needed entitlements.”
According to plans presented during a July 27 Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Land Management Board Community Hearing, the expansion would add a connected six-story tower featuring 24 three-bedroom guest suites. The building would match the existing resort’s 78-foot height and architectural design and connect through a ground-floor walkway. A separate proposal for a two-story parking garage is also expected to accommodate additional visitors.
The resort is requesting a dimensional variance permit before the proposal advances to the Community Council for consideration.
Located on an 18.6-acre site at 7333 N. Pima Road, Great Wolf Lodge opened in September 2019 as an $89 million investment built by Mortenson. The 350-room resort features an 85,000-square-foot indoor water park that attracts families year-round, helping diversify Arizona’s tourism economy beyond its traditional winter visitor season.
The proposed expansion also underscores the continued evolution of the Talking Stick Entertainment District into one of Arizona’s top visitor destinations. The district already features Talking Stick Resort, Salt River Fields, Talking Stick Golf Club, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament and Arizona Boardwalk.
Tourism momentum continues to build with additional attractions on the horizon, including the proposed Paradise Earth project at Arizona Boardwalk. The planned four-story, 92,716-square-foot indoor rainforest would feature free-flying birds, freshwater fish, sloths, reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife, adding another marquee attraction capable of drawing families from across the Southwest.
If approved, the Great Wolf Lodge expansion would not only create additional lodging capacity but also reinforce Arizona’s growing position as a destination where families can enjoy entertainment, recreation and resort experiences throughout the year.
