These top splash pads will keep you cool as metro Phoenix heats up
These top splash pads will keep you cool as metro Phoenix heats up
Meredith G. White, Arizona RepublicThu, May 7, 2026 at 12:02 PM UTC
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These top splash pads will keep you cool as metro Phoenix heats up
It's not even officially summer vacation yet and already metro Phoenix is steadily climbing to triple digit temperatures. Thankfully there are a myriad of ways to cool off — whether that's taking a float down the Salt River, hitting a fancy hotel pool for the day or taking the kids to enjoy a day at one of the many local splash pads.
Yes, with those temps starting to rise the kids are likely already feeling pent-up indoors, and splash pads are one of the easiest ways to cool off without committing to a full day at the pool or beach. You'll find them at some parks where you can sit in the shade and relax while they play or at one of the marketplaces where you can also get some shopping done.
Here's where to find all the best splash pads in metro Phoenix.
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Splash pads open in metro Phoenix -
Chandler Fashion Center: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Free. shopchandlerfashioncenter.com.
Desert Ridge Marketplace: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. Free. shopdesertridge.com.
Eastmark Great Park: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. March through October. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. November through February. 5115 Inspirian Parkway, Mesa. Free. mesaaz.gov/Activities-Culture.
Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park: Sunrise to 10 p.m. daily. Free. 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. scottsdaleaz.gov/parks.
Founders Park: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during March-April and September-October. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May-August. 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek. Free. queencreekaz.gov/community/parks-recreation.
Gilbert Water Tower Plaza: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 1-Nov. 30. 45 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. Free. gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation.
Gilbert Regional Park: 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. March 1-Nov. 30. 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert. Free. gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation
Mansel Carter Oasis Park: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during March-April and September-October. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May-August. 19535 E. Appleby Road, Queen Creek. Free. queencreekaz.gov/community/parks-recreation/queen-creek-parks.
Outlets at Anthem: 10 a.m. to close once temperatures hit 100 degrees. 4250 W. Anthem Way, Phoenix. Free. northphoenixoutlets.com.
Park West Shopping District: 8-8 p.m. daily. 9744 W. Northern Ave., Peoria. Free. shopparkwest.com/.
Pima Park: Sunrise-10:30 p.m. 8600 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale. Free. scottsdaleaz.gov/parks
Phoenix Zoo: Hours and ticket prices vary. 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. Free. phoenixzoo.org/visit/.
Riverview Park: This splash pad will be closed March 22-30 for maintenance. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 2100 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa. Free. mesaaz.gov/Activities-Culture.
Tempe Marketplace: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Free. tempemarketplace.com.
Westgate Entertainment District: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale. Free. westgateaz.com/explore/amenities/.
Phoenix announced it would open its splash pads early on Friday, March 20. Until May 22, those splash pads will be open Friday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here are the city-run splash pads:
Altadena Park: 3711 E. Altadena Ave.
Civic Space Park: 424 N. Central Ave.
Dust Devil Park: 10645 W. Camelback Road.
El Oso Park: 3451 N. 75th Ave.
Francisco Highland Park: 2702 E. South Mountain Ave.
Laveen Village Park: 3146 W. Vineyard Road
Margaret T. Hance Park: 67 W. Culver
Mariposa Park: 3203 W. Morten Ave.
Mountain Vista Park: 13647 S. 50th St.
Pecos Park: 17010 S. 48th St.
Trailside Point Park: 7215 W. Vineyard Road.
More: All the new restaurants, things to do coming to Cannon Beach in Mesa
Meredith G. White covers entertainment, art and culture for The Arizona Republic andazcentral.com.She writes the latest news about video games, television and best things to do in metro Phoenix.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The top metro Phoenix splash pads to check out as temps rise
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