Wading Pools, Fountains, Spraygrounds in Des Moines
There are many places around Greater Des Moines to enjoy water play for free! Many days grabbing the entire family to head to the aquatic centers may not be ideal. Aquatic centers offer water slides, tube slides, lazy rivers, and more, but what if you have young kids and just want to cool off for an hour? The Des Moines Parks & Recreation Department and numerous parks departments across the metro offer free splash pads and other spray features in their city parks. Here is a list of wading pools, fountains, and spraygrounds in Des Moines. This makes it accessible and fun for all families. Many of these water features open on Memorial Day Weekend and stay open through Labor Day Weekend.
Note: Please know that we are constantly working to update pictures and reviews. If you see something incorrect or would like to share something, please submit it here.
Fountains & Water Features
This list consists of fountains and water features in the Des Moines area such as a natural play area, or a place where children can play in the water, but may not get completely wet. I would still recommend bringing towels!
Barrett Boesen Natural Playscape
Address: Located on the corner of 156th Street & Waterford Road in Urbandale, Iowa
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/barrett-boesen-natural-playscape-urbandale-iowa/
Cowles Commons Lauridsen Fountain
Address: 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309 (located in Downtown Des Moines)
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/cowles-commons-lauridsen-fountain/
Evelyn K. Davis Park and Fountain
Address: 1400 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/evelyn-davis-park-fountain-des-moines-iowa/
Prairie Heritage Park
Address: 898 5th Ave SW Altoona, Iowa 50009
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/prairie-heritage-park-altoona-iowa/
Sargent Park & Fountain
Address: 3401 E Douglas Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/sargent-park-des-moines-iowa/
Wading Pools
Wading pools may also be commonly referred to as splash pools. They are a small pool with standing water. This is a great option for young kids just getting used to the water. Many wading pools in the area are in parks that offer playground equipment, open-air shelters, tennis courts, basketball courts, and more.
Note: Wading pools do have a lifeguard on duty and vary hours of operation. Check with the official park department for hours. Hours may change due to staffing and weather-related issues. I highly recommend checking the local city’s Facebook page for the best up-to-date information.
Ashby Park & Wading Pool
Address: 3200 38th Street, Des Moines, IA 50310
Review: https://desmoinesparent.com/ashby-park-summer-tradition/
Ashfield Park & Wading Pool
Address: 720 E 19th St, Des Moines, IA 50316
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/ashfield-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Jester Park
Address: 11407 NW Jester Park Dr. Granger, IA 50109
Review: https://desmoinesparent.com/jester-park-natural-playscape/
Jordan Park & Wading Pool
Address: 600 E Wall Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/jordan-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Linnan Park Wading Pool
Address: 8500 Alice Avenue Clive Iowa 50325
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/linnan-park-wading-pool-clive-iowa/
MLK Park & Wading Pool
Address: 1650 Garfield Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/mlk-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Pete Crivaro Park & Wading Pool
Address: 105 E Railroad Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/pete-crivaro-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Sayers Park
Address: 1300 Linden Ln, Des Moines, IA 50315
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/sayers-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Stone Park
Address: 2100 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/stone-park-des-moines-iowa/
Tower Park
Address: 4900 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/tower-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Union Park
Address: 725 Thompson Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Review: https://desmoinesparent.com/union-park-a-gem-of-des-moines-parks/
Sprayground
Spraygrounds may also be commonly referred to as splash pads. Many parks in Des Moines are adding a new splash pad to existing parks. Some may not open until mid to late summer 2023. Keep your eyes open!
- The City of Des Moines spraygrounds are open from May 1 through September 30.
- Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
American Legion Park Sprayground
Address: 301 Vine St. West Des Moines, IA 50265
Review: https://desmoinesparent.com/american-legion-park-a-west-des-moines-favorite/
Bates Park Sprayground
Address: 330 Clark St, Des Moines, IA 50314
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/bates-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Chesterfield Park & Sprayground
Address: 2719 Scott Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/chesterfield-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Columbus Park Sprayground
Address: 1921 SE 1st St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Review: https://desmoinesparent.com/columbus-park-south-side-treasure/
Crestbruck Park Sprayground
Address: 1028 NE Crestmoor Pl Ankeny, IA 50021
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/crestbruck-park-ankeny-iowa/
Dan and Mary Kelly Family Sprayground is located in Ashworth/Greenwood Park
Address: 100 45th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Review: https://desmoinesparent.com/greenwoodashworth-splash-park/
Dean Park
Address: SW 19th ST and SW College AVE Ankeny, IA 50023
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/dean-park-sprayground-ankeny-iowa/
Doanes Park
Address: 4900 Doanes Park Rd. Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/doanes-park-pleasant-hill-iowa/
Drake Park
Address: 2300 Drake Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/drake-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Fairmont Park
Address: 2520 E Hull Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/fairmont-park-des-moines-iowa/
Fox Creek Splash Pad + Fox Creek Park
Address: 522 NE Westgate Drive, Waukee, Iowa
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/fox-creek-park-in-waukee-iowa/
Good Park
Address: 1103 17th St, Des Moines, IA 50314
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/good-park-sprayground-des-moines-iowa/
Grandview Park
Address: 3230 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50317
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/grandview-park-sprayground-des-moines-iowa/
Johnston Town Center
Address: Merle Hay Road & NW 62nd Avenue
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/johnston-town-center-splash-pad/
Lions Park & Sprayground {Coming June 2024}
Address: 72nd Street and Aurora Avenue Urbandale, IA 50322
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/lions-park-wading-pool-urbandale-iowa/
MacRae Park
Address: 1021 Davis Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/park-visit-macrae-park-des-moines-iowa/
McHenry Park
Address: 1012 Oak Park Ave, Des Moines
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/mchenry-park-sprayground-des-moines-iowa/
Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center & Splash Pad
Address: 1220 NW Prairie Ridge Dr. Ankeny, IA 50023
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/prairie-ridge-aquatic-center-ankeny-iowa/
Sheridan Park
Address: 4000 E Hull Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/sheridan-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Sunrise Park
Address: 506 SE Peterson DR Ankeny, IA 50021
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/sunrise-park-ankeny-iowa/
Waterworks Park
Address: 100 N James Street right next to the old Grimes Library. It is located North of Highway 44.
Review: https://desmoinesparent.com/waterworks-park-grimes-iowa/
Westown Meadows
Address: 2445 SE Willowbrook Drive, Waukee, Iowa
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/westown-meadows-waukee-iowa/
Woodlawn Park
Address: Twana Dr & Lawnwoods Dr, Des Moines, IA 50310
Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/woodlawn-park-sprayground-des-moines-iowa/
Pools & Aquatic Centers
Bonus! If you are looking for a pool or aquatic center we also have you cover. Many of these pools host special events throughout the Summer, including evening swim lessons, adult lap swims, season passes, and more.
Grab the entire round-up of pools & aquatic centers here!
- Altoona Aquatics Park
- Cascade Falls Aquatic Center
- Clive Aquatic Center
- Dallas Center Pool
- Holiday Aquatic Center
- Valley View Aquatic Center
