Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (2024)

Hey, Des Moines,summer is just around the corner!And what better way to spend a hot day than going for a dip or sitting out by a pool?

Whether your ideal experience involves splashing with your toddler at the wading pool, reading in a lounge chair at one of the area’s quieter pools, or getting the full lazy river and water slide experience at a local aquatic center, Des Moines’ many area splash pads, pools, aquatic centers, and water parks have something for everyone.

From a full-fledged water park at Adventureland Resort to local spraygrounds, you're sure to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro.

Ashworth Swimming Pool, Des Moines

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (1)

Address: 102SW 45th St.
Features: An old-school pool with lap lanes, diving boards including a high dive, and a kiddie area.
Open:June 1 through August 11
Hours:Monday through Saturday, 1-6:30 p.m.; Sunday 1-5p.m.
Prices: Ages 19 and older $5; ages 3-20 $3; kids up to 2 years old free. Half-price Monday through Thursday after 5p.m. Punch cards and season passes available.

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Birdland Swimming Pool, Des Moines

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (2)

Address: 300 Holcomb Ave.
Features: An old-school pool that’s rarely crowded. Lap lanes, diving boards, slidesand kiddie area. The baby pool is closed for repairs according to the city's website.
Open: June 1 until August 11
Hours:Monday through Friday 1-6:30 p.m, Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1-5:30p.m.
Prices: Ages 19 and older $5; ages 3-20 $3; kids up to 2 years old free. Half-price Monday through Thursday after 5p.m. Punch cards and season passes available.

Nahas Aquatic Center, Des Moines

Address: 1101 Porter Ave.
Features: Water slides, swimming areas, kiddie play area.
Open: June 1
Hours:Monday through Friday 1-6:30 p.m, Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1-5p.m. until June 7. Starting June 8 hours will be Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Prices: Ages 19 and older $5; ages 3-20 $3; kids up to 2 years old free. Half-price Monday through Thursday after 5p.m. Punch cards and season passes available.

Northwest Aquatic Center, Des Moines

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (3)

Address: 4915 Madison Ave.
Features: Water slides, swimming areas, kiddie play area.
Open: June 1
Hours:Monday through Friday 1-6:30 p.m, Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1-5p.m. until June 7. Starting June 8 hours will be Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Prices: Ages 19 and older $5; ages 3-20 $3; kids up to 2 years old free. Half-price Monday through Thursday after 5p.m. Punch cards and season passes available.

Teachout Aquatic Center

Address: 2601 Hubbell Ave.
Features: Water slides, swimming areas, kiddie play area.
Open: To be determined. Des Moines Parks and Recreation said the pool was closed for maintenance and that an update would be provided by June 6.
Hours:Monday through Friday 1-6:30 p.m, Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1-5p.m. until June 7. Starting June 8 hours will be Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Prices: Ages 19 and older $5; ages 3-20 $3; kids up to 2 years old free. Half-price Monday through Thursday after 5p.m. Punch cards and season passes available.

Des Moines wading pools

Wading poolsare small pools with standing water and no spray features. They are staffed by Des Moines Parks and Rec.The wading pools open for the season on June 3 and the majority are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ashfield Park,720 E 19th St.
Burke Park,601 E University Ave.
Drake Park,2300 Drake Park Ave.
Jordan Park,600 E Wall Ave. (Alternate schedule on Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m.)
Sayers Park,1300 Linden Lane
Stone Park,2100 SE 5th St.

Des Moines splash pools

Des Moines' splash pools have standing water and spray features. They open starting June 1 and are available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On weekends and holidays, they are open noon to 6 p.m.

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (4)

Ashby Park, 3200 38th St.
M.L. King Jr. Park, 1650 Garfield Ave.
Pete Crivaro Park, 1105 E. Railroad Ave.
Union Park, 725 Guthrie Ave.

Des Moines spraygrounds

Spraygrounds operate May 1 through Sept. 30 and include spray features but no standing water. They are unstaffed. All are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.The six spraygrounds are at:

Bates Park Sprayground, 330 Clark St.
Chesterfield Park, 2719 Scott Ave.
Columbus Park, 1921 SE First St.
Drake Park, 2300 Drake Park Ave.
Evelyn K Davis Park,1400 Forest Ave.
Fairmont Park, 2520 Hull Ave.
Good Park,1103 17th St.
Grandview Park,3230 Easton Blvd.
Greenwood Park,4500 Grand Ave.
MacRae Park, 1021 Davis Ave.
McHenry Park,1012 Oak Park Ave.
Sargent Park Natural Playscape,3500 E. Douglas Ave.
Sheridan Park,4000 E Hull Ave.
Tower Park,4900 Hickman Road
Woodlawn Park,3126 Twana Drive

Adventure Bay, Altoona

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (5)

Address: 3300 Adventureland Drive
Features: Multiple pools, slides, splash pads, Iowa’s longest lazy riverand a swim-up bar.
Open:Summer days except for Aug. 19-23 and Aug. 26-30. Closes for the season after Sept. 2
Hours:10a.m. to 7p.m. most days. For hours on specific days,checkadventurelandpark.com/calendar.
Prices: Tickets are $69.99 for daily passes. Price includes admission to Adventureland and Adventure Bay. Season passes are available.

Altoona Aquatics Park

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (6)

Address: 1200 Venbury Drive
Features: Zero edge pool, diving boards, sand play area, slides, kiddie areasand lap lanes and splash pad
Open: Opening day is June 1.
Hours: Weekdays noon to 6p.m.; weekends 11a.m. to 6p.m.
Prices: Altoona residents $7; non-residents $10. Season passes available.

Haines Park splash pad, Altoona

An Altoona 13-year-old has been trying to get the city to install a splash pad since she was in first grade. Her dream came true in 2024.

Address: 3rd Ave SE
Open: May 20
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Prairie Heritage & Civic Plaza splash pad, Altoona

Address: 360 Center Place SW,

Cascade Falls Aquatic Center, Ankeny

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (7)

Address: 2350 SW Prairie Trail Parkway
Features: Surf machine, slides, a lazy river, kiddie areas, lap lanesand diving area.
Open: May 25
Hours:Daily, noon to 7p.m.
Prices: General $9; seniors $5; kids under 2,$2.Season passes available.

Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center and Splash Park, Ankeny

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (8)

Address: 1220 NW Prairie Ridge Drive
Features: Water slides, kiddie areasand lap lanes.
Open:May 25
Hours: Daily noon to 6p.m. The splash park is also available for free from 10a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monday to Friday.
Prices: General $5; seniors $3; kids under 2, $2.Season passes available.

Clive Aquatic Center

Address: 1801 NW 114th St.
Features: Two large pools, kiddie areas, lap pool, slidesand a lazy river.
Open: May 25
Hours:Mondays through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the regular season starts on May 31.
Prices: 2 years and younger is $2, ages 3 through 12 years is $6, 13 years and older is $9. Anyone 55 years and older or with a military I.D. pays $7 for daily admission.

Linnan Park Wading Pool, Clive

Address: 8500 Alive Ave.
Open: June 6 through Aug. 5
Hours: Monday through Friday from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather permitting)

Splash pad at Johnston Town Center

The Johnston Town Center has a free splash pad with spray features that can be activated by stepping on sensors. It is not staffed by a lifeguard.

Address: 6245 Merle Hay Road
Open: May 25 through Labor Day weekend
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

More:Johnston considers adding pool options, including aquatic center

Doanes Park Splash Pad, Pleasant Hill

Address: 4900 Doanes Park Road
Open: Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Fox Creek Splash Pad, Waukee

Waukee also has a free splash pad with spray features at Fox Creek Park. It is not staffed by a lifeguard.

Address: 522 NE Westgate Drive
Open: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

American Legion sprayground, West Des Moines

West Des Moines has one sprayground at American Legion Park. It is not staffed by a lifeguard.

Address: 301 Vine St.
Open: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Holiday Aquatic Center, West Des Moines

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (9)

Address: 1701 Railroad Ave.
Features: Water slides, swirl bowl slide, swimming areas, kiddie play areas.
Open: May 25 noon to 6 p.m., regular seasons begin May 31
Hours:Open Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Prices: General $7; seniors 55 years and older pay $5; kids 0-2$2. Season passes are available.

Valley View Aquatic Center, West Des Moines

Swimming pools are now open. Here's where to find a pool near you in the Des Moines metro (10)

Address: 255 S. 81st St.
Features: A lazy river, water slides, kiddie areasand lap swimming.
Open: May 25 noon to 6 p.m., regular seasons begin May 31
Hours:Sunday through Friday noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays noon to 6p.m.
Prices: General $7; seniors 55 years and older pay $5; kids 0-2$2. Season passes are available.

Reporting contributed by Jay Stahl.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her atkkealey@registermedia.comor follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.