Des Moines swimming pools open on May 30!
Enjoy the warm days (and nights) at one of the many pools in and around Des Moines. Before you head out, check out our tips for going to the pool with kids. Or jump straight to the guide!
Refuel
If you’re staying for a long trip to the pool, pack waterproof sunscreen and snacks for break time, if the pool allows outside snacks. Almost every pool listed below has a concession stand where you can purchase food; some let you bring your own food, just not into the pool itself.
Safety
When choosing what gear to bring, consider your child’s age and swimming ability. The lifeguards are there to protect you, but they also appreciate your help keeping everyone safe.
Before you pack up, consider calling the pool to ask what gear they allow. For example, some places don’t allow arm floaties and prefer float suits. For your adventurous divers, consider bringing goggles and dive toys.
Apply sunscreen before you leave the house so the kids are ready to jump in as soon as you arrive. If you’re staying for a long day, consider bringing an umbrella for shade.
Swimwear
If your child is not toilet-trained, most pools require that they wear a swim diaper. If you forget one, some of the concession stands have some for sale. Pools also have rules against wearing street clothes in the pool, but do allow for shirts if the pool supervisor allows them. Some moms coordinate bright swimsuit colors with each child so they are easier to pick out in the crowded pool.
But don’t worry about packing the entire house for your trip. All you really need for the pool is a swimsuit and a towel. Keep some towels in the car to have a dry set ready when you head home.
Which pool is best for me?
The list of Des Moines Area pools and splash pad options might seem overwhelming. How do you weed through so many great options? The first time I took my toddler to the pool, I just started with the pool closest to our house. I met a friend there so she could show me the ropes, and I felt more comfortable exploring new waters.
Another good place to start is to look for options that suit your child’s age and ability. If they are an avid swimmer, bigger pools will keep them occupied. If they are new to the water, then it might be best to start with a zero-depth entry pool or splash pad. If you have a wide range of ages in your family, there are various options at the big centers.
Each pool has a wide range of prices depending on whether you’re a resident, your age, etc. Some offer season passes or punch cards if you plan to swim frequently. Just check with each pool for pricing specifics.
Looking for more summer fun? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer with 125+ Things to Do in Des Moines.
Des Moines Area Swimming Pools
Altoona
Altoona Aquatics Park
1200 Venbury Drive, Altoona, IA 50009
Opens May 30
Along with the typical zero-edge pool, slides, and lap lanes, this park has a sand play area and a shipwreck slide.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ankeny
Cascade Falls Aquatic Center
2350 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy Ankeny, IA 50023
Opens Memorial Day Weekend
Cascade is the larger of the two Ankeny aquatic centers and offers features for adventurous swimmers, including a surf machine, tube slides, lazy river, geyser field, lap pool, diving well, and children’s wading pool.
Hours: daily 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center
1220 NW Prairie Ridge Dr. Ankeny, IA 50023
Opens Memorial Day Weekend
This kid-friendly complex also offers a free Splashpark for free Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Hours: daily 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Clive
Clive Aquatic Center
1801 NW 114 Street Clive, IA 50325
Opens May 23
Includes two large pools perfect for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The zero-depth entry kiddie pool features a small “treehouse” slide, sprays, and fountains. There is a lap pool with three slides and a lazy river.
Hours: Daily, 11:30 a.m to 6 p.m.
Des Moines Swimming Pools
In addition to the swimming pools listed below, the City of Des Moines offers staffed splash pools and wading pools across the city, along with spray grounds and fountains that are not staffed. Review the full list, including hours of operation, here. Northwest Aquatic Center opens Memorial Day Weekend.
All Des Moines pools and aquatic centers open May 30 and 31 and then June 6 until August 9, with rotating daily closures:
- Monday – Nahas
- Tuesday – Birdland
- Wednesday – Northwest
- Thursday – Ashworth
- Friday – Teachout
- Saturday – All Facilities Open
- Sunday – All Facilities Open
Ashworth Memorial Swimming Pool | 101 SW 45th Street Des Moines
This pool has history (it was built in 1926), and is nestled in the woods next to a trailhead if some of your family wants to swim and others may want to bike.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Birdland Swimming Pool | 300 Holcomb Avenue Des Moines
Birdland has something for every swimmer – a kiddie pool, two water slides, and a 50-meter pool for laps.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Nahas Family Aquatic Center | 1101 Porter Avenue Des Moines
Nahas has water slides and a zero-depth entry pool with a covered play area, making this pool ideal for smaller children.
Hours: see above
Northwest Family Aquatic Center | 4915 Madison Avenue Des Moines
This center has a water slide, a zero-depth entry pool, a water mushroom, and a shaded swim area.
Hours: see above.
Teachout Family Aquatic Center | 2601 Hubbell Avenue
This pool is next to the Eastside library if you want a day of learning, then play. It has a zero-depth entry pool, two slides, and a plunge pool.
Hours: see above.
Indianola
Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center
714 W. Detroit Ave. Indianola, IA 50125
Open May 30 – August 23
This park has something for every ability with a zero-depth pool, a small slide for toddlers and preschoolers, a play structure, and a sand play area. There are also two tube slides and a lap pool with a diving board.
Tot Swim: Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat from 10:30 a.m. to 11:50 am; June 1 – August 21 for kids ages 6 and under accompanied by an adult.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
West Des Moines
Holiday Aquatic Center
1701 Railroad Ave. West Des Moines, IA 50265
Opens May 23
Features include three slides, a zero-depth entry pool, a large deck pool, and a grass-sunning area.
Hours: Sunday – Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m; Friday (family night) 6:30 – 8 p.m. Saturday (reservation rental) 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Valley View Aquatic Center
255 81st Street West Des Moines, IA 50265
Opens May 23
This large aquatic facility boasts a ten-lane competitive pool with a diving board and drop-slide, a large leisure pool with spray features, four water slides including the “speed slide”, and a lazy river.
Hours: Sunday – Friday, 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday – Friday (lap swim) 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.; Saturday 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday (rental reservation) 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Sunday and Wednesday (family night) 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Dallas Center
Dallas Center Community Pool
1108 Vine St, Dallas Center
Open daily from 12:30 pm-7:30 pm (weather permitting)
Adel
Adel Family Aquatic Center
1800 South 15th Street Adel
Open May 30
This aquatic center includes slides, an obstacle course, and zero-depth entry.
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 12:30 – 5 p.m. & 6 – 8 p.m.
Friday, 12:30 – 5 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday Family Swim, noon – 1 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 1 – 6 p.m.
What’s your favorite pool in Des Moines?
Send us an email if we missed anything, and we’ll add it to the list.
We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
