Kids and families enjoy a sunny day at a splash pad with colorful water features and spraying fountains in the Triangle area of North Carolina. The foreground includes a playful graphic of a cardinal family, and bold text reads “Splash Pads in the Triangle” over an orange banner. Tall trees and a red building add to the lively, park-like setting.

Ultimate Guide to Splash Pads in Raleigh + the Triangle (2026)

by
Amy Hartle
Latest posts by Amy Hartle (see all)

It doesn’t take long for the Raleigh area to start to heat up. By May, we’re all ready to hit up the splash pads. As a mom, I’ve spent many an afternoon staying cool with my kids at the many splash pads in Raleigh.

In this guide, I have collected all of the splash pads around the Triangle for your reference. This list also includes the need-to-know information about each spot.

From big splash pads to small spraygrounds, here is where to keep cool in the Triangle.

Taylor Street Park Sprayground

Current Status: CLOSED, opening date TBA

📍416 N. Taylor St., Wake Forest, NC

At this classic sprayground, you’ll find water jetting, flowing, and streaming. When you visit the sprayground, simply press the activator button on top of the orange pole, and the sprayground will produce a water flow in four-minute cycles.

Due to construction, the current opening date of Taylor Street Sprayground is not set.

John Chavis Memorial Park Splash Pad

The splash pad at John Chavis Memorial Park

Current Status: OPEN

📍505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Raleigh, NC 27601

The splash pad at John Chavis Memorial Park isn’t fancy, but it is a lot of fun. There’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the water features, and some tables and chairs with umbrellas set up nearby.

This park also offers a terrific playground, as well as a historic carousel. And a bonus: great views of the Raleigh skyline.

Hours: 7 days a week 9am-9pm . Generally open April through October, weather permitting.

☀️ Read Next: The Ultimate Raleigh Summer Bucket List

Jack Smith Park Splash Pad

Jack Smith Splash Pad in Cary NC

Current Status: OPEN

📍9725 Penny Road Cary NC

Jack Smith is one of our go-to splash pads in the Triangle. This is a fun, colorful splash pad with numerous water features. Like others on the list, a fun playground is directly adjacent. It’s truly one of our top kid friendly spots in Cary.

The sprayground operates from mid-May through mid-September. This year open til September 21, 2026.

Hours: 9am-8pm, seven days a week (weather permitting)

Moore Square Splash Pad

Current Status: OPEN

📍225 E. Martin Street Raleigh, NC 27601

Looking for a splash pad in Downtown Raleigh? Moore Square will fit the bill!

It’s small and more of an interactive water feature than a true splash pad, but on a hot day, you’re not gonna complain! And there’s a coffee shop, Lucky Tree, right near by, as well as Marbles Kids Museum if you want to make a day of it!

Hours: 7 days a week. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. from April-October, weather dependen

Knightdale Station Park Splash Pad

Current Status: OPEN

📍810 N First Ave, Knightdale, NC 27545

At 2,000 square feet, this splash pad is a big one! There is also an additional 1,500 square foot deck containing two shade structures and benches.

Fellow toddler parents will be glad to know this splash pad is totally fenced in!

The Splash Pad will open for the 2026 summer season on Saturday, May 9th and will close Sunday, September 12th.

Hours: Every day 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

South Park Splash Pad

Current Status: CLOSED, opens May 23, 2026

📍900 S Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

This is a fun splash pad for kids. They especially love the huge bucket of water that spills over and creates a huge gush! This splashpad is fully fenced, too.

Residents of Fuquay-Varina can use the splash pad for free with a Resident Splash Card. Non-residents are $3 per person for  all-day admission. One parent will be admitted without charge. Children under the age of 2 are free of charge. Payments by credit card only, cash not accepted.

Hours: Every day 10am-7pm, May 23 – September 7

Pleasant Park Splashlantis

Current Status: CLOSED, opens May 23, 2026

📍3400 Pleasant Plains Road, Apex, NC

The relatively new Pleasant Park in fall of 2023, so Summer 2024 was the debut for its splash pad, Splashlantis.

This is a great splash pad, and one that I think is perfect for younger kids. It is free to visit and there are a couple of small shade structures in one corner.

2026 Season Operating Hours: The splash pad will open on weekends (Saturdays/Sundays) starting on May 23. Starting on Monday, June 15, it will be open daily through Labor Day. Beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day, the splashpad will only be open on weekends (Saturdays/Sundays) through the end of September. After the last Sunday in September, the splashpad will be closed for the season. Operating hours are 10am – 6pm.

Current Status: OPEN

📍325 McCullers St, Clayton, NC 27520

All the traditional splash pad fun is to be had here at Municipal Park in Clayton. And there’s plenty more to be enjoyed at the park, as well.

Hours: 9am-8pm, 7 days per week

East End Park Sprayground

Current Status: CLOSED, opening date TBA

📍1200 N Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27701

This is a simple sprayground located next to the bathrooms and playground at East End Park.

Important note on their website: In order to initiate the Sprayground water, place both hands on the dome for approximately three minutes

Hours: 10am-8pm, 7 days per week

Edison Johnson Sprayground

Current Status: CLOSED, opening date TBA

📍500 W Murray Avenue Durham, NC 27701

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.

Hours: 10am-8pm, 7 days a week

Forest Hills Park Sprayground

Current Status: CLOSED, opening date TBA

📍1639 University Drive Durham, NC 27707

Another simple but refreshing sprayground to cool you off on a hot North Carolina day.

Hours: 10am-8pm, 7 days a week

Hillside Park Sprayground

Current Status: CLOSED, opening date TBA

Those sprayground is located right next to the Hillside Pool. While the pool has an associated cost, the Hillside Park Sprayground is free and accessible during the day, including times when the pool is closed. 

Hours: Monday-Friday

Knight Farm Community Park Splash Pad

Current Status: CLOSED, opens Memorial Day

📍362 Vine Pkwy, Pittsboro, NC 27312

This splash pad is cute and fun, with features like an elephant that sprays water from its mouth and trunk.

Hours: 10am-7pm, 7 days a week

Holding Park Aquatic Center

Current Status: CLOSED, opens May 23, 2026

📍133 W Owen Ave Wake Forest, NC 27587

This aquatic center has a big pool, giant water slides, and a fun splash pad that sits in several inches of water. We love this spot!

As a mom of littles, I especially like that the splash pad part is separate from the pool area and fully fenced off. This is really important!

Daily admission fees for Wake Forest residents are $1 for children ages 2 and under; $4 for children ages 3-12; and $5 for patrons ages 13-59; and $4 for ages 60 and over.

Daily admission fees for non-Wake Forest residents are $2 for children ages 2 and under; $6 for children ages 3-12; and $7 for patrons ages 13-59; and $6 for ages 60 and over.

Hours: TBA

Morrisville Aquatic Center

Current Status: OPEN!

📍1301 Morrisville Pkwy Morrisville, NC 27560

Another of our favorite spots for swimming, especially with toddlers. The Morrisville Aquatic Center is a covered/indoor pool center with a lap pool, free swim pool, and a splash pad/spray ground.

The hours of the spray ground are somewhat limited, and they often fill up on weekends. If you’re local, it’s a great idea to get a membership here as it is very affordable and you can reserve space for swimming hours. Hours do increase during the summer.

Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center

Current Status: OPEN!

📍 5908 Buffaloe Rd. Raleigh, NC 27616

This indoor swimming spot in Raleigh is awesome. They’ve got a big pool, a giant slide, a lazy river, and a splash pad area for the little ones. Check out our video of it here.

Hill Ridge Farms

Current Status: OPEN!

📍703 Tarboro Road. Youngsville, NC 27596

Hill Ridge is a super fun farm with tons to do. In the summer months, they have a splash pad as part of the fun! They are open Wednesday-Sunday. Please note, an admission fee is required for entry. Check their website for all the details.

Gipson Play Plaza Fountain Plaza

Current Status: OPEN

📍 Dix Park Raleigh NC

This incredible outdoor space was in the works for over 2 years, and finally opened in May 2025. In addition to being an incredible, huge adventure park, a splash pad/fountains are there, too!

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park

Current Status: OPEN

📍3601 Quarry Road Wake Forest, NC 27587

This is more than just a splash pad; this is a floating obstacle course! There’s so much to do at this exciting water park in Wake Forest. You can enjoy food trucks, rent a cabana, or

I’d say this is primarily for older kids, and those who can already swim confidently. But they do have a splashpad for kids 5 and under, as well as a Mini Water Park for ages 3-5. Check them out!

White Deer Park

Current Status: CLOSED, opening TBA

📍2400 Aversboro Rd, Garner, NC 27529

White Deer Park will be home to a brand new splash pad in Garner this summer! We can’t wait to check it out and will report back when we do!

Pools with Splash Pads

There are several local pools that also have splash pads and spray grounds. These will follow the opening schedule of seasonal pools, which has not yet been announced for this summer.

Seasonal Pool Admission Fees

Ages 1-12 Ages 13-54 Ages 55+
$2 / resident
$3 / non-resident 		$5 / resident
$8 / non-resident 		$4 / resident
$6 / non-resident 

Raleigh Splash Pads: Final Thoughts

I hope this guide has helped you find a fun splash pad to explore today! We’re really fortunate that this area has so many to enjoy.

Want to see more ideas for summer fun? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, where we post kid-friendly ideas every day!