Traditionally seasonal pools open on Memorial Day weekend, unofficially signaling the beginning of summer. Many pools and spraygrounds in and around Raleigh are open for the season.
Check out this list of five places to go swimming right now!
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Free splashpads (Raleigh, Cary, Knightdale, Apex, Wake Forest)
These splashpads are free to visit and most open before Memorial Day.
Jack Smith Park
This Cary sprayground is typically open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, weather permitting. It features seven water features and is great for children ages 12 and younger. This 50-acre tract of land also includes a playground and 10-foot tall climbing rock. You can check the status of the sprayground by going online, but note that it will be closed for maintenance dates: Jun 12, Jul 10 and Aug 14, Sep 11.
Cost: Free
Location: 9725 Penny Road, Cary, NC
Moore Square Splash Pad
Enjoy the interactive water feature at this downtown Raleigh park through October. The splash pad is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (weather permitting). Moore Square is in downtown Raleigh, across from Marbles Kids Museum, at 200 S. Blount St.
Cost: Free
Location: 225 E. Martin St.., Raleigh, NC
White Deer Park Splash Pad:
This park is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday, weather permitting. It opens in the early summer and closes in mid-fall.
Cost: Free
Location: 2400 Aversboro Road
John Chavis Memorial Park Splashpad
This splashpad is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The water feature is disabled during inclement weather and no lifeguard is on duty. Children who are not potty trained must wear swim diapers. Get more information about the sprayground and playground which opened after renovations in 2021.
Cost: Free
Location: 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh, NC
Taylor Street Park Sprayground
Wake Forest's first sprayground is open for the season late April through September. It features 16 jet streams, buckets and more fun. Just press the activator button on top of the orange pole and the sprayground will produce a water flow in four-minute intervals.
Cost: Free
Location: 416 N. Taylor St., Wake Forest, NC
Downtown Cary Park Splash Pad and Sprayground
This park will open its water features on May 14, 2025. There are two water play features: The Sprayground on Academy Plaza and the Splash Pad in The Nest play area. Both amenities are closed the second Monday of each month for maintenance. The water play features are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Knightdale Station Park Splash Pad
This splash pad has 2,000 square feet of water fun with an additional 1,500 square foot deck containing two shade structures and benches. The entire space is fenced in. It is open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The splash pad opens the second Saturday in May and closes the second Sunday in September.
Cost: Free
Location: 810 N First Ave, Knightdale, NC
Pleasant Park Splash Pad
This giant park features Splashantis, a giant splash pad, which is open on weekends starting on May 24. Starting on Monday, June 16, it will be open daily through Labor Day. Beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day, the splashpad will only be open on weekends through the end of September. After the last Sunday in September, the splashpad will be closed for the season.
Cost: Free
Location: 3400 Pleasant Plains Road, Apex NC
Free splashpads in Durham
These splashpads don't open until the end of May - usually on Memorial Day weekend.
East End Park Sprayground
The sprayground will open at the end of May and stay open until the end of September.
Cost: Free
Location: 1200 N Alston Ave., Durham, NC
Edison Johnson Sprayground
The sprayground is located in between the Edison Johnson Recreation Center and Aquatics Center within Rock Quarry Park. In addition to the sprayground, there is also a playground, picnic tables, and a grill. The sprayground will open at the end of May and stay open until the end of September.
Cost: Free
Location: 500 W Murray Ave., Durham, NC
Forest Hills Park Sprayground
The Forest Hills Sprayground is located in the playground area. The sprayground will open at the end of May and stay open until the end of September.
Cost: Free
Location: 1639 University Drive, Durham, NC
Hillside Park Sprayground
The Hillside Park Sprayground is free and accessible during the day, including times when the pool is closed. The sprayground will open at the end of May and stay open until the end of September.
Cost: Free
Location: 1221 Sawyer St., Durham, NC
Splashpads at pools in Raleigh area
These will require a season pass or one-day entry fee, but they are good options if you have smaller children who aren't ready for the deeper water.
Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
This indoor pool has waterslides, a vortex whirlpool, lazy river and a smaller area for toddlers. There have been lifeguard shortages, so make sure to check the day you plan to attend to find out which attractions are open. Also, go early on weekends because there can be a wait-list! Best time to go: First thing in the morning during the week. Check the hours to see when the water slides are open.
Cost: $4 for residents/$7 for non-residents ages 1-12 years old; $8 for residents/$15 for non-residents ages 13-55 years old; $6 for residents/$11 for non-residents ages 55 years and older
Location: 5908 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh, NC
Pullen Aquatic Center
This indoor pool is great for families to enjoy during the week. Recreational swimming is open Sunday through Thursday. In 2018, the facility underwent $6 million in renovations including roof repairs, lighting adjustments and other work.
Cost: $2 for residents/$3 for non-residents ages 1-12 years old; $5 for residents/$8 for non-residents ages 13-55 years old; $4 for residents/$6 for non-residents ages 55 years and older
Location: 410 Ashe Ave., Raleigh, NC
Biltmore Hills Pool
This pool is open Saturday, May 24 through Sunday, June 15 for modified summer hours. Regular summer hours start June 16 and run through Aug. 17. This pool has a splashpad plus a main pool. The deep end is 12-feet.
Cost: $2 for residents/$3 for non-residents ages 1-12 years old; $5 for residents/$8 for non-residents ages 13-55 years old; $4 for residents/$6 for non-residents ages 55 years and older
Location: 701 Crown Crossing Lane, Raleigh, NC
Lake Johnson Park Pool
This pool has a main pool plus a wade pool and large spray ground. This pool is open Saturday, May 24 through Sunday, June 15 for modified summer hours. Regular summer hours start June 16 and run through Aug. 17.
Cost: $2 for residents/$3 for non-residents ages 1-12 years old; $5 for residents/$8 for non-residents ages 13-55 years old; $4 for residents/$6 for non-residents ages 55 years and older
Location: 5623 Jaguar Park Drive, Raleigh, NC
Ridge Road Pool
This pool has a main pool with a deep end of 12 feet. There is also a wade pool and sprayground. This pool is open Saturday, May 24 through Sunday, June 15 for modified summer hours. Regular summer hours start June 16 and run through Aug. 17.
Cost: $2 for residents/$3 for non-residents ages 1-12 years old; $5 for residents/$8 for non-residents ages 13-55 years old; $4 for residents/$6 for non-residents ages 55 years and older
Location: 1709 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC