Slip-slidin’ away! There are few better ways to stay cool on a hot Iowa summer day than by heading down a slippery water slide at an aquatic center, splashing around in a refreshing swimming pool, or getting drenched at a sprayground. That’s why we invite you to check out our list of the hottest spots in the Des Moines area where kids and adults can stay cool, even on the most sweltering summer days.
You can find other fun things to do this summer in our Summer Fun Guide or visit our Events Calendar.
Editor’s Note: Please check with each venue directly to verify their hours of operation, rates and other information before heading out, since circumstances may change.
Here’s your guide to outdoor aquatic centers, pools and spraygrounds in the Des Moines area:
Altoona
Adventure Bay
3300 Adventureland Drive • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 266-2121
Part of the Adventureland Amusement Park complex Adventure Bay Water Park attracts out-of-towners and locals alike. This is where will you find Iowa’s largest wave pool and longest lazy river. Pools, slides, sun and fun, there is something for everyone!
Opening Day: Memorial Day Weekend, May 27, 2023.
Closing Day: August 20, 2023; open on weekends through Labor Day Weekend.
Hours: Adventure Bay opens at 11:00 am every day of the week. Closing times varies.
Prices: Online tickets start at $44.99 per person, prices vary by day.
Altoona Aquatics Park
1200 Venbury Drive • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 967-2066
The Altoona Aquatics Park features a zero-edge pool, slides, diving boards, a sand play area, speed slide, loop-de-loop slide and lap lanes. Plus, a children’s “shipwreck” slide, Funbrella, Raindrops, palm trees and splash pad. The aquatic park is also available for rental.
Opening Day: Saturday, June 3, 2023
Closing Day: August 20, 2023
Hours: Monday through Friday 12:00 to 6:00 pm; Saturday through Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Prices: General Altoona Resident: $7; Non Altoona Resident: $10
Prairie Heritage Park/Civic Plaza Splash Pad
Parking at 1st Avenue S., 210 Street SE, 700 8th Street SW, Altoona • (515) 967-5203
Dates Open: June through September, 2023
Hours: Sunday to Saturday; Sunrise to Sunset
Price: FREE
Unsupervised
Ankeny
Cascade Falls Aquatic Center
2350 SW Prairie Trail Parkway • Ankeny, IA 50023 • (515) 963-3569
Located in Ankeny, Cascade Falls Aquatic Center features a “Flowrider” surf machine, two large tube slides, a lazy river, a geyser field and a children’s wading pool. In addition, the center has a lap pool and diving well, which includes a one meter spring board and three meter diving platform.
Opening Day: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 27, 2023
Closing Day: Open daily through August 22; Weekends only through Labor Day
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Price: General $9.00; Kids under 2 $2.00; Senior $5.00; Season passes also available, which includes Flowrider usage.
Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center
1220 NW Prairie Ridge Drive • Ankeny, IA 50023 • (515) 963-3569
Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center is a kid friendly complex with two large water slides and a zero-depth entry pool with a lily pad walk, geysers and a splash pad for younger children. There is also ample deck space and chairs for parents and sunbathers. The Splashpark offers FREE admission 10:00 to 11:45 am, Monday through Friday.
Opening Day: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 27, 2023
Closing Day: August 13, 2023
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Price: General $5.00; Kids under 2 $2.00; Senior $3.00; Season passes also available.
Dean Park Splash Pad
SW 19th Street (SW College Avenue) • Ankeny, IA • (515) 963-3570
Dates Open: May through September, 2023
Hours: Sunday to Saturday; Sunrise to Sunset
Price: FREE
Unsupervised
Clive
Clive Aquatic Center
1801 NW 114th Street • Clive, IA 50325 • (515) 440-0599
Includes two large pools perfect for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The zero depth entry kiddie pool at Clive Aquatic Center features a small slide, sprays and fountains. The lap pool features two tube slides and a chute slide. There is also a lazy river and a spray deck.
Opening Day: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday May 27 through Monday, May 29, 2023. Opens for the season on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
Closing Day: Sunday, August 20, 2023.
Hours: Sunday through Saturday 11:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Price: Infant, ages 0-2, FREE; Youth, ages 3-12 $6.00; Adult, ages 13-54 $9.00; Senior, ages 55+ $7.00; Family Night Discount $15.00 per family on Friday nights. Season passes also available.
Linnan Park Wading Pool
8500 Alice Avenue • Clive, IA • (515) 440-0599
Dates Open: June 5 to August 4, 2023
Hours: Monday through Friday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Price: FREE
Supervised
Des Moines
Ashworth Memorial Swimming Pool
101 45th Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 243-3567
Ashworth Memorial Pool has been located in Greenwood/Ashworth Park since 1926. Old school swimming fun is in store at this pool that features a 50-meter competitive pool complete with eight lap lanes. The facility also includes a 13 foot diving well with a couple of one-meter boards and a three-meter diving board. They also have a kiddie pool area.
Opening Day: June 3, 2023
Closing Day: August 13, 2023
Hours: Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm; Saturday 1:00 to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Price: Infant, ages 0-2, FREE; Youth, ages 3-20 $3.00; Adult, ages 21+ $5.00; ½ Price Admission Monday through Thursday after 5:00 pm; Punch Cards and Season passes are also available.
Birdland Swimming Pool
300 Holcomb Avenue • Des Moines, IA, 50313 • (515) 243-3567
Located in Birdland Sports Complex this Des Moines area swimming pool features two water slides and a kiddie pool for youngsters looking for some fun in the sun. For those more hard core swimmers there is a large 50 meter pool ideal for doing laps. Birdland Swimming Pool is also available for rental.
Opening Day: June 3, 2023
Closing Day: August 13, 2023
Hours: Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm; Saturday 1:00 to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Price: Infant, ages 0-2, FREE; Youth, ages 3-20 $3.00; Adult, ages 21+ $5.00; ½ Price Admission Monday through Thursday after 5:00 pm; Punch Cards and Season passes are also available.
Nahas Family Aquatic Center
1101 Porter Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50315 • (515) 243-3567
Nahas Family Aquatic Center is located on the south side of Des Moines. It features water slides and a zero-entry pool with a covered play area for children. The facility also has a complete concession stand available.
Opening Day: June 3, 2023
Closing Day: August 13, 2023
Hours: June 3 to July 2, 2023 – Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm; Saturday 11:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. July 3 to August 13, 2023 – Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm; Saturday 11:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Price: Infant, ages 0-2, FREE; Youth, ages 3-20 $3.00; Adult, ages 21+ $5.00; ½ Price Admission Monday through Thursday after 5:00 pm; Punch Cards and Season passes are also available.
Northwest Aquatic Center
4915 Madison Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50310 • (515) 237-1386
If you’re looking for a day of summer fun with tons of bells and whistles, look no further. Northwest Aquatic Center features a water slide, a zero depth entry pool, a water mushroom and a shaded swim area. The facility is also available for rental for your next birthday or pool party.
Opening Day: June 3, 2023
Closing Day: August 13, 2023
Hours: June 3 to July 2, 2023 – Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm; Saturday 11:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. July 3 to August 13, 2023 – Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm; Saturday 11:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Price: Infant, ages 0-2, FREE; Youth, ages 3-20 $3.00; Adult, ages 21+ $5.00; ½ Price Admission Monday through Thursday after 5:00 pm; Punch Cards and Season passes are also available.
Teachout Family Aquatic Center
2601 Hubbell Avenue • Des Moines, IA • (515) 243-3567
Teachout Family Aquatic Center is located next to the Eastside Library. It has a zero-depth entry pool with a maximum depth of five feet. There are also two slides with a plunge pool for a wet and wild afternoon of fun.
Opening Day: June 3, 2023
Closing Day: August 13, 2023 – open weekends only until September 4, 2023
Hours: June 3 to July 2, 2023 – Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm; Saturday 11:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. July 3 to August 13, 2023 – Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm; Saturday 11:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Price: Infant, ages 0-2, FREE; Youth, ages 3-20 $3.00; Adult, ages 21+ $5.00; ½ Price Admission Monday through Thursday after 5:00 pm; Punch Cards and Season passes are also available.
Des Moines Wading Pools
Dates Open: June 3 through August 9, 2023.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: FREE
Supervised, but parental supervision is required.
Ashfield Park – 720 E 19th Street
Burke Park – 601 E University Avenue
Jordan Park – 600 E Wall Avenue (Open 12:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesdays ONLY)
Sayers Park – 1300 Linden Lane
Stone Park – 2100 SE 5th Street
Splash Pools in Des Moines
Dates Open: All open for Memorial Day weekend May 27 through May 29, 2023. Ashby and Martin Luther King Jr. Parks are open for the season June 3 through August 9, 2023. Pete Crivaro and Union Park
are open for the season June 3 through September 3, 2023.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm
Price: FREE
Supervised, parental supervision is highly recommended.
Ashby Park– 3200 38th Street
M.L. King Park– 1650 Garfield Avenue
Pete Crivaro Park — 1012 SE 14th Street
Union Park – 725 Thompson Avenue
Des Moines Spraygrounds & Fountains
Dates Open: May 1 through September 30, 2023
Hours: Sunday through Saturday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Price: FREE
Unsupervised
Bates Park Sprayground – 330 Clark Street
Columbus Park – 1921 SE 1st Street
Drake Park – 2300 Drake Park Avenue (to open June 2021)
Evelyn K. Davis Park – 1400 Forest Avenue
Fairmont Park – 2520 Hull Avenue
Good Park – 1103 17th Street
Grandview Park – 3230 Easton Blvd
Greenwood Park– 4500 Grand Avenue
MacRae Park Sprayground – 1021 Davis Avenue
McHenry Park – 1012 Oak Park Avenue
Sargent Park – 3530 E Douglas Avenue
Sheridan Park – 4000 Hull Avenue
Tower Park– 4900 Hickman Road
Woodlawn Park Sprayground -3126 Twana Drive
Grimes
Water Works Park Splash Pad
Location: 100 N James Street, Grimes, IA 50111
Hours: Opening early summer of 2023 – TBD
Admission: FREE
Dates Open: Opening early summer of 2023 – TBD
Unsupervised
Indianola
Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center
714 W. Detroit Avenue • Indianola, IA 50125 • (515) 961-9422
Zero depth pool features a small slide for toddlers and preschoolers, a play structure and a sand play area. For the older kids there are two tube slides and a lap pool with a diving board. The Edgewater Snack Bar at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center features fully stocked concessions with a variety of hot sandwiches, cold drinks, chips, combo meals, snow cones, ice cream bars, and many other items.
Opening Day: June 3, 2023
Closing Day: August 20, 2023
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1:00 to 7:00 pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00 to 6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Price: General Admission $7.00; Ages 2 and Under FREE with paying adult; ½ Price Admission after 5:00 pm; Veterans swim FREE with Military ID during all open swim hours; Season passes also available.
Johnston
Johnston Town Center Splash Pad
Location: 6245 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA
Hours: Sunday through Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Admission: FREE
Dates Open: May 27 through September 4, 2023
Unsupervised
Pleasant Hill
Doanes Park Splash Pad
Location: 4900 Doanes Park Road, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Hours: Opening late summer of 2023 – TBD
Admission: FREE
Dates Open: Opening late summer of 2023 – TBD
Unsupervised
Waukee
Fox Creek Splash Pad
Location: 522 NE Westgate Drive, Waukee, IA
Hours: Sunday through Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Admission: FREE
Dates Open: May 27, 2023 through TBD
Unsupervised
West Des Moines
Holiday Aquatic Center
1701 Railroad Avenue • West Des Moines, IA • (515) 273-0700
Holiday Aquatic Center features a swirl bowl slide, 180’ enclosed waterslide and 208’ open flume waterslide. The facility also includes a zero depth entry pool and a play structure with slides for the younger kiddos. In addition, there is also a large pool deck and grass sunning area as well as a snack bar.
Opening Day: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday May 27, 2023
Closing Day: August 19, 2023 – open weekends only until September 4, 2023
Hours: Weekdays 11:30 am to 7:00pm; (*Holiday closes at 5:30pm when evening swim lessons are in session); Saturdays 11:30 am to 6:00 pm and Sundays 12:00 Noon to 5:45 pm.
Price: Infant, ages 0-3, FREE; Youth, ages 3-12 $6.00; Adult, ages 13+ $9.00; Senior $7.00; Half Price Admission Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 5:00 to 7:00 pm; Family Night Discount $15.00 per family on Wednesdays and Sundays 6:30 to 8:30 pm (Discounts only available when evening swim lessons are not in session); Season passes also available.
Valley View Aquatic Center
255 S 81st Street • West Des Moines, IA 50266 • (515) 273-0700
Large aquatic facility located near Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. Valley View boasts a ten lane competitive pool with diving board and drop slide, a large leisure pool with spray features, four water slides including the “speed slide”, and a lazy river.
Opening Day: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday May 27, 2023
Closing Day: August 19, 2023
Hours: Sunday through Friday: 12:00 to 5:30 pm (open swim); 5:30 to 6:30 pm (Adult Lap Swim & Current Walking); 6:30 – 8:30 pm (open swim); Saturday: 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Price: Infant, ages 0-3, FREE; Youth, ages 3-12 $6.00; Adult, ages 13+ $9.00; Senior $7.00; Half Price Admission Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6:30 to 8:30 pm; Family Night Discount $15.00 per family on Wednesdays and Sundays 6:30 to 8:30 pm; Season passes also available.
American Legion Park Sprayground
301 Vine Street • West Des Moines, IA • (515) 222-3444
Dates Open: May 27 through September 4, 2023
Hours: Sunday through Saturday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Prices: FREE
Unsupervised
Where does your family cool off on a hot summer day in Des Moines? Let us know!
