Count to three and hold your breath! Community splash pads across Iowa excite with jets, water cannons, fountains and more. Most of them are free to use and are perfect for younger kids who aren't quite ready for the big slides at waterparks.
Cedar Rapids
Sprinkled throughout the city, there are 11 splash pads in parks across Cedar Rapids. Nearby Marion has three more parks with free splash pads. Families love Thomas Park in Marion - bring a picnic lunch for a full afternoon of entertainment. Splash pads are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day all summer long.
Clear Lake
Hop from spout to spout as 16 randomized jets shoot water high in the air. Located along the beach walkway, this splash pad is a great way for non-lake swimmers to enjoy the beach.
Des Moines
The state’s capital city keeps cool with four splash pools, each staffed by the city. The Ashby Park Splash Pool is particularly popular with more than 14,000 visitors each summer. The city also operates an additional nine spraygrounds for more water fun. Located nearby, the city of West Des Moines also features a splash pad at the American Legion Park.
Iowa City
Wage water wars with bright red water cannons at the Wetherby Splash Pad. Or head to the Fairmeadows Splash Pad and stand in the shadow of giant flower pedals sprinkling down “dew” from above. Tower Court Park also has a small spray pad where kids can cool off after playing on the playground equipment.
Fort Dodge
Head to the Oleson Park Splash Pad where towers of varying heights create umbrellas of cool, refreshing water to hide under or run through.
Sioux City
Sioux City has five splash pads to explore. Dash by as a giant pelican opens his beak to douse kids passing by at Dale Street Park's splash pad. Or visit the splash pad in Leeds Park, featuring dump buckets and water geysers. The splash pad at Cone Park converts to an ice skating rink in the winter months.
Spirit Lake
Life jacket-free fun awaits you at the splash pad in Memorial Park, just off of East Lake Okoboji. Added in 2012, the splash pad includes a rainbow that sprinkles water all around.
Walnut
Big fun awaits you at this small community’s splash pad in Fireman’s Park. Hop through a frog as it rains down water or stand and wait as buckets of water fill to the brim before cascading down.
Central City
The Puddle Splash Pad in Central City is located next to a beautiful biking and walking trail along the Wapsipinicon River.
Clarksville
The splash pad in Clarksville's Volunteer Park includes a ground geyser, spray cannon, aqua dome and is handicap accessible.
Latimer
The newly-opened splash pad in Latimer is conveniently located just off of Interstate 35 at West Park, making it a perfect road trip stop.
Lake View
Located in Speaker Park between the playground and basketball courts, Lake View’s new splash pad offers kids of all physical capabilities a safe, clean option for water play. Designed with an aquatic theme, the base of the pad has an outline of Black Hawk Lake and a large sunfish in the center that sprays splashers. There are two water guns for rambunctious little splashers, a fish for the younger ones and seven in-ground sprays for all round fun. The splash pad is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Grinnell
The splash pad in Grinnell's Central Park offers hours of fun - even when the sun goes down. Kids can play among the lighted jets of water, perfect for hot summer nights.
