Splash Happy: Twin Cities Guide to Beaches, Pools, Water Parks & Splash Pads

As the line between late spring and early summer starts to melt away in the rising temps, it’s time to update our master list of Twin Cities beaches, outdoor swimming pools, water parks and splash pads. Several are anticipating an opening Memorial Day Weekend with dozens more following suit in early June. Find your new splash happy spot from our following suggestions:

TWIN CITIES BEACHES

Opening Memorial Day Weekend 2018:

• Dakota County beaches | 2 locations, FREE
• Three Rivers Park District Beaches | 7 unguarded locations, FREE
• Elm Creek Swimming Pond | Maple Grove | 9am-8pm | $5/pp | Chlorinated w/ sand beach, close to an elaborate playground, nature center and historic site. Lifeguards on duty daily starting 6/11/18.
• Lake Minnetonka Swimming Pond | Minnetrista | 9am-8pm | $5/pp | Chlorinated w/ sand beach. Lifeguards on duty starting 6/11/18.
• Washington County Parks swimming beach | Lifeguards on duty – 5 locations, including the popular Lake Elmo Swim Pond | $7/vehicle (Point Douglas is much smaller and unguarded, but no vehicle fee).

Opening early June 2018:

• Anoka County beaches | 3 locations | $6/vehicle permit
• Carver County swimming beach lifeguards on duty | 2 locations | $5/vehicle permit
• Minneapolis swimming beach lifeguards on duty | 8 locations, FREE
• Ramsey County swimming beach lifeguards on duty | 5 locations, FREE
• 6/1/18: Lakeside Commons Park & Beach | Blaine | $5/non-res, residents FREE | Public beach, splash pad, playground, and water rentals.
• 6/8/18: Shady Oak Beach | Minnetonka | $3-$6/pp, discount after 6pm | Beach, sand play and water play areas, playground equipment and a fossil dig.
  
• 6/9/18: Bush Lake Beach | Bloomington | lifeguards 11am-7pm | $7.75/vehicle permit | Make a day of it with close proximity to the ginormous Hyland Lake Park Reserve Play Area and a visit to the Richardson Nature Center (both free).
  

For more beachy ideas, try our list of 10 Twin Cities Beaches & Playgrounds To Try This Summer.

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TWIN CITIES OUTDOOR POOLS & WATERPARKS

Opening Memorial Day Weekend 2018:

• Webber Natural Swimming Pool | Minneapolis | FREE | Water treated with plants instead of chemicals. Zero-depth entry for the littlest swimmers.
• Grove Cove Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool | Maple Grove | 10am-6pm | $7-$8/pp or $26-$30/family
• Anoka Aquatic Center | Anoka | 5/27-6/8, Sat-Sun & holiday noon-7pm, Mon-Fri 3-7pm | $4-$7/pp
• Jim Lupient Water Park pre-season | Minneapolis | $3-$5/pp

Opening early June 2018:

• 6/2/18: St Louis Park Outdoor Aquatic Park | $5.50-$9.50/pp, discounts after 4:30pm | Aqua obstacle course, slides, wet sand play area and splash playground. Tot Time is Mon-Fri, 10-11am.
• 6/4/18: SandVenture Aquatic Park | Shakopee | $3-$7/pp, discount after 5pm | Chlorinated water with a sand bottom and beach, slides and special discount days.
• 6/8/18: Edina Aquatic Center | Edina | $9-$11.50/pp, discount after 5pm | Wave simulator, cable zipline ride, pirate-themed kiddie pool, and an outdoor playground

• 6/8/18: Cascade Bay Water Park | Eagan | $6-$10/pp, discount after 4pm | Sand and water play areas dedicated to little ones, slides, a lazy river and mini golf. Preview weekend 6/2-6/3.
• 6/8/18: Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center | $10/pp, discount after 5pm
• 6/8/18: Bunker Beach Water Park | Coon Rapids | $9-$15/pp, discount after 4pm | Wave pool, waterslides, lazy river.
• 6/8/18: Richfield Outdoor Pool | Richfield | $8-$10/pp, discount after 4pm
• 6/9/18: Battle Creek Waterworks | Maplewood | $5-$7/pp, discount after 6pm | Sand play area, 3-story waterslide, zero-depth entry
• 6/9/18: Como Regional Park Pool | St Paul | $6-$7/pp | Features a zip line, climbing wall, lazy river and separate splash pool. Saturday Tot Time at Como, 9:30 to 11:00am, $8 per parent/child pair
• 6/9/18: Highland Park Aquatic Center | St Paul | $6-$7/pp | Children’s activity pool, diving well & slide
  
• 6/9/18: Crystal Cove Aquatic Center | Crystal | $6-$8/pp, discount after 5pm

• 6/9/18: Bloomington Family Aquatic Center | $7.25-$10/pp, discount after 4pm | New Tot Open Swim, Mon-Fri, 11am-noon for ages 0-6. New spray table.

Budget Tip: If you have a favorite water park, look for sales on annual passes January – March.

TWIN CITIES SPLASH PADS & WADING POOLS

For our MASTER LIST of Twin Cities-area splash pads, click here or the graphic below.

Opening Memorial Day Weekend 2018:

• Minneapolis Wading Pools | Open daily 10am-9pm | FREE (Beaches also open, but unguarded until mid-June)
• Nicollet Commons Park water feature, Burnsville (weather dependent) | Thursday Rockin’ Readers and Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hours in Nicollet Commons Park begin in June.
• Oak Hill Splash Pad | St Louis Park | FREE for residents, $1 per non-res