The ultimate guide to Des Moines-area swimming pools for the 2022 season

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June 15, 2022

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By Grace Altenhofen, Des Moines Register

Hey, Des Moines, it’s almost summer! And nothing says summer like an afternoon with your toes in the 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:

Wading pools, splash pools and spraygrounds

The Des Moines Park and Recreation Department operates five wading pools, four splash pools and 13 spraygrounds. All are free, and are aimed at children ages 10 and under.

Wading pools are small pools with standing water and no spray features. They are staffed by the Des Moines Parks and Rec department. Most of the wading pools are open Monday through Friday, June 6 through Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are available for private rentals on weekends. Due to staffing shortages, some of the wading pools are closed on certain afternoons or weeks. For more information, check dsm.city.

The five wading pools are located at:

Ashfield Park, 720 E. 19th St.
Burke Park, 601 E. University Ave.
Jordan Park, 600 E. Wall Ave.
Sayers Park, 1300 Linden Lane
Stone Park, 2100 SE Fifth St.

Splash pools include both standing water and spray features. They are staffed by the Des Moines Park and Rec department. All are open weekdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from noon to 6 p.m. The splash pools at Ashby and MLK Park are open for the season June 4 through Aug. 10. The season runs June 4 through Sept. 4 at Union and Pete Crivaro Parks. The four splash pools are at:

Ashby Park, 3200 38th St.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1650 Garfield Ave.
Pete Crivaro Park, 1105 E Railroad Ave.
Union Park, 715 Guthrie Ave.

Spraygrounds include spray features but no standing water. They are unstaffed. All are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 2 through Sept. 30. The 13 spraygrounds are at:

Bates Park, 330 Clark St.
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.
McHenry Park, 1012 Oak Park Ave.
Sargent Park, 3500 E. Douglas Ave.
Sheridan Park, 4000 Hull Ave.
Tower Park, 4900 Hickman Road
Woodlawn Park, 3126 Twana Drive

Pools and aquatic centers

Altoona

Adventure Bay, 3300 Adventureland Drive

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Multiple pools, slides, splash pads, Iowa’s longest lazy river, and even a swim-up bar.

Season runs May 27-Se

Opens at 11 a.m. daily. For closing times check adventurelandpark.com.

Single-day tickets begin at $39.99 online and $69.99 at the gate. Price includes admission to Adventureland and Adventure Bay.

Altoona Aquatics Park, 1200 Venbury Drive

Zero edge pool, diving boards, sand play area, slides, kiddie areas and lap lanes.

Season runs June 4 through Aug. 21.

Open weekdays from noon to 6 p.m.; weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Altoona residents $7; non-residents $10.

Ankeny

Cascade Falls Aquatic Center, 2350 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy.

Surf machine, slides, lazy river, kiddie areas, lap lanes and diving area.

Season begins June 2.

Open daily noon to 7 p.m.

General $8; seniors $5; kids under 2, $1. Surf machine is extra.

Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center, 1220 NW Prairie Ridge Drive

Water slides, kiddie areas and lap lanes.

Season begins June 2.

Open daily noon to 6 p.m. The splash park is also available for free from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday.

General $8; seniors $5; Kids under 2, $1.

Carlisle

Carlisle Family Aquatic Center, 1230 S. Fifth St.

Heated pool, diving board, lap lanes and slides.

Open Thursday through Tuesday from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 12:30 to 8 p.m.

General $4; kids 0-2 free.

Clive

Clive Aquatic Center, 1801 NW 114th St.

Two large pools, kiddie areas, lap pool, slides and a lazy river.

Season begins Memorial Day weekend.

Open weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

General $9; seniors $7; Kids 3-12, $6; kids 0-2 free. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are family nights where families can swim for $15 from 5 p.m. to close.

Des Moines

Ashworth Swimming Pool, 101 45th St.

An old-school pool open June 5 through Sept. 5 with lap lanes, diving boards including a high dive and a kiddie area.

Season runs June 5 through Sept. 5.

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