The Best Park Pools & Splash Pads

City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta visited all 511 parks in Salt Lake County and made a parks map out of it.

It’s about to be hot this week in Salt Lake. If you’re looking to cool off on the cheap, here are the best pools and splash pads I’ve found in Salt Lake parks.

Heads up: Many local splash pads are adjusting hours this year to help conserve water because of the drought.

Crestwood Pool

Cottonwood Heights’ secret pool is tucked inside Crestwood Regional Park, with neighboring picnic tables and a few lap lanes. Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. $3.50.

Wardle Fields Splash Pad

It was an 80-acre farm run by the Wardle family, now it’s Bluffdale’s hottest splash pad! Lots of room for play, plus an inch-deep lazy river for toddlers to toddle (and not get knocked down by the big kids). It’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Free.

Oquirrh Park Pool & Splash Pad

What’s up in Kearns? A three-level dive tower, splash pad dumping cup, and toddler-friendly slides. BYO well-stocked cooler. Full summer hours start this Friday, June 5: Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. $6-$8.

Liberty Park Pool

The pool for Salt Lake City slickers offers more for grown-ups than kids, and maybe that’s its best quality? Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. $3.00.

Extra credit: Do you look great in red? We are in a national lifeguard shortage. Get lifeguard certified and help keep our pools open for long summer hours.

Bonus: Not in Salt Lake, but Park City’s recreation center pool reopens this weekend after $9 million renovations. Expect more lap lanes and family features, like a climbing wall and slides.