guides

Kid-Friendly Splash Pads and Swimming Pools in Northwest Arkansas

Where to Splash & Swim in Summer 2024

By Kara Ault, Macaroni Kid Fayetteville & Rogers-Bentonville Publisher July 8, 2022

It's HOT outside, but if you live in or are visiting Northwest Arkansas, you will find that we are blessed to have an abundance of public pools and splash pads that are family-friendly and either free or low-cost.

Here's a list to help you discover new places to visit with friends! Click on the name of each to go to the corresponding website. Like this info and want more like it? Sign up for our FREE weekly e-mail calendar of local, kid-friendly events here. 



Prairie Grove Aquatic Center- Open end of May- mid-August. Includes new splash pad just finished this year!

Monday - Thursday: 12:30p  - 6:00p, Friday - Saturday:  12:30p - 7:00p, Sunday:  1:00p - 7:00p.

Admission: $5 for ages 6 & up, $4 for ages 5 & under and 55+. (After 5 PM admission is $3 for adults and $2 for kids and seniors). Season passes available for $75/person unlimited visits or $200/family of 4 unlimited visits. Large wade-in area good for splashing with babies and toddlers. Separate kiddie pool area with shaded pavilion. Concessions available.


Wilson Park pool- Open end of May til Sept 2nd

Open Swim: M-F 1:00p – 4:30p
Sat-Sun 1:00p – 6:00p

Family Swim: MWF 6p – 8p *Family swim admission is $8/family, only during Family Swim hours

Admission: $4 adults, $3 kids. Located at one of Fayetteville's most popular parks, the Wilson Park Pool is surrounded by shade trees and hosts dive-in movies throughout the summer. Fayetteville's only municipal pool is operated by the Parks and Recreation Department and offers recreational swimming, instructional swim lessons, fitness opportunities, and family swim times. Concessions are available.

Punch Pass (10 Visits) - $35
Season Pass Adult - $75
Season Pass Family - $135* (family of 5) $10.00 fee per each additional family member added



Jones Center indoor pool- Summer hours: Tuesday- Saturday, 12:00 pm-6:00 pm, Sunday, 1:30-5:00 PM. Admission $4. 


Walker Park splash pad-- Open second Saturday in May to third Sunday in September, daily 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Free. 


Melvin Ford Aquatic Center- Bentonville. Open end of May- Sept 2nd. The 50-meter competition pool ranges from 3-8 feet deep and is great for recreational and lap swimming. For younger children, a one-foot-deep wading pool, featuring a rain drop fountain, is located on deck. For the more adventurous, the Aquatic Center has a diving well 13 feet in depth equipped with two one-meter spring diving boards.

Mon-Thurs.- 12:00 pm- 5:00 PM. 

Fri & Sat- 12:00 pm- 7:00 pm

Sun- 12:00 pm-5:00 pm

Admission: Adults (18 and over)- $3, kids (3 to 17)- $2. Ages 2 and Under- Free.



Springdale Aquatic Center- Open Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. Open 12 pm to 5:45 pm Daily.  Closes for the season Labor Day. Admission:  Ages 0-4 $3, Ages 5 & up $4. Lockers are available for $.25 per use. Swim Diapers are available for $2 each. Splash Pass: $80 pass that allows 25 visits with pass. Any person 9 years old or younger must be accompanied by a person 15 years of age or older.


Rogers Aquatic Center- A beautiful 3-acre water park featuring a lazy river and water features for all ages. Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. 

Mon-Thurs 11 Am-6:00 pm

Fri & Sat 11 Am- 7:00 pm. 

Sunday 12 pm- 6:00 pm. 

Admission: Rogers residents, $12 for 48" and up, $8 for below 48" and under 36" is free. Non-Rogers residents:  $15 for 48" & up, $10 for below 48". under 36" is free.



Bentonville Community Center- Indoor pool- 

Open Swim Hours: 

Mon-Thurs 12:00pm-7:00pm, Sat 12:00 PM- 6:30 PM, Sun 12:00 PM-6:30 PM
Bentonville Residents: $5 and non-residents: $8. Water slides, adventure river, large play structure w/ dump bucket, spray features, 3 lap swim lanes and basketball hoops. 


Siloam Springs Memorial Park Splash Pad- 10 AM- 8 PM Daily. Free. 


C.L. "Charlie" & Willie George Park, Springdale Splash Pad- Open Daily From 9 a.m.- dark (Opens May 18th-Closes Sept. 15th). Free. 


Rogers Skate & Splash Park- Open 9 AM- 8 PM Daily. Free. 


Riverside Park swimming in West Fork- Free swimming in the river


Lake Atalanta in Rogers- Free park with hiking and plenty of areas to wade and splash in the lake.

Macaroni Kid Rogers-Bentonville is a FREE resource to find your local family fun, published by Northwest Arkansas mom Kara Ault. Sign up for our free weekly email here.