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.

Stay Cool: Splash Pads in Raleigh + the Triangle

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.

In this guide, I have collected all of the splash pads in Raleigh and around the Triangle. 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: OPENS April 19th, 2025

📍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.

Here are the published hours of operation:

2025 Schedule

April 19 – June 13

  • Monday – Friday 4-8 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Sunday 1-8 p.m.

Memorial Day 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
 
June 14 – August 24

  • Monday – Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Sunday 1-8 p.m.

August 25 – September 20

  • Monday-Friday 4-8 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Sunday 1-8 p.m.

Labor Day 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

The splash pad at John Chavis Memorial Park

John Chavis Memorial Park Splash Pad

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 (currently closed for renovation.)

Hours: 7 days a week 9am-9pm

☀️ Read Next: The Ultimate Raleigh Summer Bucket List

Jack Smith Splash Pad in Cary NC

Jack Smith Park Splash Pad

Current Status: CLOSED, OPENS May 14th, 2025

📍9725 Penny Road Cary NC

This is a fun, colorful splash pad with numerous water features. Like others on the list, a playground is directly adjacent.

The sprayground operates from mid-May through mid-September.

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

Moore Square Splash Pad

Current Status: CLOSED, anticipated opening by end of April

📍225 E. Martin Street Raleigh, NC 27601

This splash pad is right in downtown Raleigh. 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!

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

Current Status: CLOSED, Opens May 10th, 2025

📍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 2025 summer season on Saturday, May 10th and will close Sunday, September 14th. 

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

South Park Splash Pad

Current Status: CLOSED, Opens Memorial Day weekend

📍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

Pleasant Park Splashlantis

Current Status: CLOSED, opening Memorial Day Weekend

📍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.

Current Status: CLOSED, opening TBA

📍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 Memorial Day Weekend

📍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 Memorial Day Weekend

📍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 Memorial Day Weekend

📍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 Memorial Day Weekend

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 Weekend

📍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 5/24

📍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!

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.

Gipson Play Plaza Fountain Plaza

Current Status: Opening Spring 2025

This incredible outdoor space has been in the works for over 2 years, and is finally set to open in May 2025. In addition to many other fun play elements, a splash pad/fountains will be there, too. Can’t wait to check it out!

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