In Des Moines, the summers get hot and humid QUICK! There’s no easier way to splash and play, than by visiting one of Des Moines’ spraygrounds, wading pools, or splash pads this summer! The best part is, admission is free! We’re lucky that you can easily find one wherever you are located in the Des Moines metro!
Des Moines Spraygrounds are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1 through September 30, free of charge unless otherwise noted. Other spraygrounds open later in May. Spraygrounds do not have a lifeguard, so parental supervision is required. The City of Des Moines wading pools and splash pools are staffed, but they still do encourage parental supervision. These are open varied dates and times. Check below for details.
We are counting down the days ’til the brand-new sprayground and park open at Gray’s Lake Park Playground and Sprayground. The ribbon cutting is May 26.
More Places to Splash
Don’t forget about some of Des Moines’ other water features such as the water feature at Western Gateway Park between the Central Library and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park downtown, and Cowles Commons Lauridsen fountain.
Bookmark this page to know where to go when Des Moines temperatures start to soar!
Looking for more summer fun? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer with 125+ Things to do in Des Moines.
Spraygrounds in and around Des Moines
Bates Park Sprayground
330 Clark St, Des Moines
Burke Park Sprayground
Chesterfield Park Sprayground
2719 Scott Ave, Des Moines
Colby Park Splashpad
6900 School St, Windsor Heights
Columbus Park Sprayground
1921 SE 1st St, Des Moines
Doanes Park Sprayground
4900 Doanes Park Rd, Pleasant Hill
Drake Park Sprayground
2300 Drake Park Ave, Des Moines
Easter Lake Sprayground
at Athene North Shore Recreation Area
2816 Shoreline Road, Des Moines
Evelyn K. Davis Park Sprayground
1400 Forest Ave, Des Moines
Fairmont Park Sprayground
2520 Hull Ave, Des Moines
Good Park Sprayground
1103 17th St, Des Moines
Grandview Park Sprayground
3230 Easton Boulevard, Des Moines
Greenwood Park Sprayground
100 45th St, Des Moines
Jordan Park Wading Pool
600 E Wall Ave Des Moines
*new in 2026
MacRae Park Sprayground
1021 Davis Avenue, Des Moines
Mchenry Park Sprayground
1012 Oak Park Ave, Des Moines
Sargent Park Sprayground
3500 E Douglas Ave, Des Moines
Sayers Park
1300 Linden Ln, Des Moines
Sheridan Park Sprayground
4000 Hull Ave, Des Moines
Stone Sprayground
2100 SE Fifth St, Des Moines
Tower Park Sprayground
4900 Hickman Rd, Des Moines
Woodlawn Park Sprayground
3126 Twana Dr, Des Moines
West Des Moines & Waukee Splashpads
American Legion Park Sprayground
301 Vine St. West Des Moines
Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
Hours: Daily 11 am to 7 pm
Fox Creek Splashpad
522 NE Westgate Drive, Waukee
Open 9 am to 7 pm
Westown Meadows Park Sprayground
2445 SE Willowbrook Dr, Waukee
Open 9 am –7 pm through Sunday, September 22
Grimes, Johnston, and Urbandale Splash Pads
Grimes Waterworks Park Splash Pad
100 N James St, Grimes
Johnston Town Center Splash Pad
6245 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Lions Park Splash Pad
72nd Street and NW Aurora Ave., Urbandale, IA
Ankeny Splash Pads
Ankeny neighborhood park splash pads operate Memorial Day – Labor Day from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Crestbruck Park
Dean Park
Sunrise Park
Watercrest Park
811 NW Abbie Drive
Altoona and Bondurant Spraygrounds
Haines Park
3rd Ave SE, Altoona
Bondurant City Park
201 Main St SE, Bondurant
Des Moines Wading Pools and Splash Pools
Ashby Park Splash Pool
3200 38th St, Des Moines
Open May 31 – Sept 1
Hours: Monday – Friday from 10 am – 7 pm
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 12 – 6 pm
Hours subject to change due to weather
Ashfield Park Wading Pool
720 E 19th St, Des Moines
Open June 2 – August 6
Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm
Hours subject to change due to weather
Jester Park Natural Playscape
11407 NW Jester Park Dr, Granger IA
Free and open to the public year-round.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Splash Pool
1650 Garfield Ave, Des Moines
Open May 31 – Sept 1
Hours: Monday – Friday from 10 am – 7 pm
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 12 – 6 pm
Hours subject to change due to weather
Pete Crivaro Park Splash Pool
1105 E Railroad Ave, Des Moines
Open May 31 – Sept 1
Hours: Monday – Friday from 10 am – 7 pm
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 12 – 6 pm
Hours subject to change due to weather
Union Park Splash Pool
715 Guthrie Ave, Des Moines
Hours: Monday – Friday from 10 am – 7 pm
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 12 pm – 6 pm
Hours subject to change due to weather
