Best Splash Pads in Des Moines, Iowa — A Complete Guide

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Des Moines takes summer water play seriously. The city operates over a dozen free spraygrounds plus staffed splash pools across the metro, and surrounding suburbs like West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Johnston add even more options. When Iowa's famous humidity makes July feel like you're breathing through a wet towel, these free water play areas become the most popular spots in the city.

Des Moines distinguishes between two types of water play: spraygrounds (unstaffed splash pads with spray features and no standing water, open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 1 through September 30) and splash pools (staffed shallow wading pools, open varied dates and times from Memorial Day through Labor Day). Both are free. Here's the guide to the best of both across the metro.

Bates Park Sprayground

Bates Park at 3200 38th Street is one of the larger spraygrounds in Des Moines. Renovated in 2021, the park features updated spray elements alongside a solid playground. The combination of water play and dry play equipment makes this a destination where families can easily spend a full morning. Free and open May 1 through September 30, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Parking is available in the park lot.

Chesterfield Park Sprayground

Chesterfield Park received a brand-new playground alongside its sprayground in 2023, making it one of the freshest parks in the city system. The spray features include ground-level jets and interactive elements. The new playground equipment adds variety when kids need a dry break. Same hours as all city spraygrounds — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 1 through September 30. Free.

Columbus Park Sprayground

Columbus Park offers one of the most popular spraygrounds in Des Moines with its large spray area and adjacent playground. The park is well-maintained and provides a solid neighborhood water play experience. The location serves families across the south side of Des Moines effectively.

Drake Park Sprayground and Splash Pool

Drake Park at 2300 Drake Park Avenue pulls double duty — it has both a sprayground and a staffed splash pool. The sprayground is open the full May through September season, while the splash pool operates Memorial Day through Labor Day with staffed hours. Having both options in one park is ideal for families with kids of different ages and comfort levels around water.

Greenwood Park Sprayground

Located adjacent to the Des Moines Art Center, Greenwood Ashworth Park is a beautiful setting for water play. The sprayground sits within a larger park that includes walking trails, a pond, and mature trees providing natural shade. It's one of the more scenic splash pad settings in the metro. After the kids dry off, the Art Center itself is free to visit — a rare combination of outdoor water play and indoor culture in one stop.

MacRae Park Sprayground

MacRae Park earned a renovation in 2023 that included a natural playscape alongside the sprayground. The natural play elements — logs, rocks, sand — give this park a different feel from the standard playground-and-splash-pad combination. It's a good choice for families who want their kids to engage with nature-inspired play between splash sessions.

Stone Park Sprayground

Stone Park received a brand-new sprayground and playground in 2025, making it one of the newest in the system. The updated features and fresh equipment make it worth seeking out even if it's not your closest option. Same free hours as all city spraygrounds.

Evelyn K. Davis Park

Evelyn K. Davis Park features a sprayground alongside a playground and open green space. The park's fountain area is a notable water feature that draws families on hot days. It's one of several options that serve inner-city Des Moines families well.

Ashby Park Splash Pool

Ashby Park is the star of Des Moines' staffed splash pool system, drawing over 14,000 visitors each summer. The staffed pool means there's a lifeguard on duty, which provides extra peace of mind for parents of younger children. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day with weekday hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekend hours of noon to 6 p.m. Free.

Union Park Splash Pool

Union Park combines a staffed splash pool with one of Des Moines' most beloved parks — the one with the beautiful floral gardens and the historic carousel. The splash pool operates Memorial Day through early August. The surrounding park gives families plenty to do before and after water play, making it easy to fill a full day here without spending anything.

Johnston Town Center Splash Pad

Just north of Des Moines, the Johnston Town Center splash pad features interactive, sensor-activated water elements where kids step on sensors to trigger the spray. It's a clever design that turns water play into a game. The splash pad is part of a 6-acre park with an accessible playground, basketball courts, walking trails, and picnic areas. Free and open through Labor Day. Hours may vary — check before visiting.

American Legion Park — West Des Moines

American Legion Park at 301 Vine Street in West Des Moines is the go-to splash pad for the west side of the metro. The park features bright red water cannons that let kids wage water wars, which is a huge hit with the school-age crowd. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free.

Ankeny Splash Pads

Ankeny, one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities, operates several neighborhood splash pads that run Memorial Day through Labor Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You'll find them at Prairie Ridge, Heritage, and other community parks scattered across the city. If you live in the northern suburbs, these save you the drive into Des Moines proper.

Tips for Visiting Des Moines Splash Pads

Know the difference between spraygrounds and splash pools. Spraygrounds are unstaffed and open the longest season — May 1 through September 30. Splash pools are staffed with lifeguards but have shorter seasons and more limited hours. Both are free, but splash pools may close earlier in August due to staffing.

Push the button. Des Moines spraygrounds use activator buttons to start the water flow. If you arrive to a dry pad, look for the button — it's a water conservation feature, not a sign that it's broken.

Iowa humidity is real. Kids won't dry off between splash sessions the way they would in a dry climate. Pack extra towels and a full change of clothes. A wet kid in air conditioning is a cold kid fast.

Combine with free attractions. Des Moines has an unusual number of free attractions near splash pads. Greenwood is next to the free Art Center. Union Park has the historic carousel. The Cowles Commons fountain is downtown near the free Capitol building and State Historical Museum.

Check the city's social media. The Des Moines Parks and Recreation department posts real-time updates about splash pad closures, maintenance schedules, and special events. A quick check before heading out prevents wasted trips.

Making the Most of Splash Pad Season

Des Moines families are lucky — the sprayground season runs a full five months from May 1 through September 30, which is longer than most Midwest cities. With over 20 free options across the metro, you could visit a different splash pad every week all summer and not repeat. One approach that works well: pick a "home base" sprayground close to your house for weekday visits, then explore a new destination sprayground on weekends. The variety keeps summer feeling fresh.

For days when the family wants more than spray features, Des Moines operates aquatic centers at Birdland, Nahas, and Teachout with pools, slides, and deeper water at affordable admission prices. The Birdland Bash opening day celebration kicks off each summer season with activities and excitement — worth marking on the calendar.

Des Moines' approach to water play — free spraygrounds in every neighborhood, staffed splash pools as a step up, and full aquatic centers for the biggest water days — gives families options at every level. If you're exploring the rest of Iowa, our directory covers splash pads across the state at Splash Pads in Iowa. Pack the towels, fill the water bottles, and start working through the list.