Are you ready for summer weather and looking for free places to get wet around Des Moines? I have the list for you! Sharing free play fountains, spraygrounds, and wading pools with pictures. There is a link to a DSMOF page with more information about the site listed under each one. I’ll be doing round-ups of area pools, area beaches, and area creeks to creek stomp in as well, so subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss them! Be sure to stay safe and check out some of our favorite summer gear essentials in this post here.
Please click each name to be taken to a review of each park. Please note we are working to update reviews and images of all parks. If you would like to submit a note or image to be included in our reviews, please submit them here.
Fountains & Water Features
- Cowles Commons Lauridsen Fountain in Des Moines
- Evelyn Davis Park Play Fountain in Des Moines
- Prairie Heritage Park in Altoona
- Sargent Park Play fountain in Des Moines
- Western Gateway Park in Des Moines
Wading Pools
- Ashby Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Ashfield Park Wading pool in Des Moines
- Burke Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Chesterfield Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Jester Park Natural Playscape Wading Pool in Granger
- Jordan Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Linnan Park Wading Pool in Clive
- Lions Park Wading Pool in Urbandale
- MLK Park Spray/Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Pete Crivaro Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Sayers Park Wading pool in Des Moines
- Stone Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Tower Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
- Union Park Wading Pool in Des Moines
Sprayground
- Ashworth Sprayground in Des Moines
- Bates Park in Des Moines
- Columbus Park Sprayground in Des Moines
- Crestbruck Park in Ankeny
- Dan and Mary Kelly Sprayground in Des Moines
- Dean Park Sprayground in Ankeny
- Drake Park Sprayground in Des Moines
- Fairmont Park in Des Moines
- Fox Creek Splash Pad in Waukee, Iowa
- Good Park Sprayground in Des Moines
- Grandview Park Sprayground in Des Moines
- Johnston Town Center in Johnston
- Legion Park Sprayground in West Des Moines
- Prairie Ridge sprayground in Ankeny (free only for a short window in the morning before the aquatic center opens!)
- Sheridan Park Sprayground in Des Moines
- Sunrise Park sprayground in Ankeny
- Woodlawn Park Sprayground in Des Moines
Notes!
- There is also a splash pad at the Adel pool, Clive Aquatic Center, and the Urbandale Pool but none of them are free.
You can see all of the above places on a map below! Find the main map, that includes these sites along with pools, hiking trails, playgrounds. etc. on this page.
I’d love it if you pinned the image below, don’t forget this list so you can get outside and get wet!
Can I have a list of these? Something I can screen shot so I can keep the list. I am excited for summer
The “printed list with addresses and hours for easy access? Get yours here!” link does not work! Is it possible to have this updated?
Thanks!
So sorry about that! It is now updated and working.