Free Minneapolis Wading Pools

Wading Pool in Loring Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The wading pools that dot Minneapolis parks are the perfect place for toddlers and kids who have not yet learned to swim but love to make a good splash. Many of them are no-frills with a standard depth of about 18″ but a few have been updated with fun spray features and zero-depth entry. All are located adjacent to a playground, rest rooms and space to spread out with a picnic. 2023 Daily Hours are 10am-7pm (as opposed to the usual 9pm closing, due to staff shortages).

Table of Contents

Minneapolis Wading Pool Closures

Pools can close for a variety of unforeseen reasons during the season. To check the status of your neighborhood pool and up-to-date closures, please see the Minneapolis Parks pool page. For a full Twin Cities guide to pools and splash pads, see Anne’s article: Cool Off at Twin Cities Area Splash Pads & Wading Pools.

Find More Twin Cities Wading Pools & Splash Pads Here

Minneapolis Wading Pools Locations

Minneapolis Wading Pool Map

Minneapolis Wading Pools Not Adjacent to Schools

The following parks are not adjacent to schools, so they are historically open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, with the option of remaining open if we are experiencing a hotter than usual  late summer. Follow the links to read our park descriptions:

Audubon Park

1320 29th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Beltrami Park

1111 Summer St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Bossen Field Park

5601 28th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55417
Park notes: The wading pool is a standard box-style, but the playground equipment was updated a few years ago. Kids will be pumped to try out the ninja challenge-course type features!

Brackett Field Park

2728 39th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Park notes: This location is home to one of the six current skate parks in Minneapolis. MPRB encountered problems when attempting to open this pool in 2021.  It is closed indefinitely. Nearby alternatives include: Corcoran Park, Wabun Picnic Area and Matthews Park.

Bryant Square Park

3101 Bryant Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
Park notes: The park’s playground was renovated in the fall of 2016.

Bryn Mawr Meadows Park

601 Morgan Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55405

Corcoran Park

3334 20th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55407

Dickman Park

636 2nd St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

East Phillips Park

2307 17th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Wading Pool at East Phillips Park in Minneapolis Minnesota

Elliot Park

1000 14th St. E., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Farview Park

621 N 29th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Park notes: This pool is one of the newer zero depth entry pools with a splash-pad like spray feature.

Folwell Park

1615 N Dowling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55412

Fuller Park

4800 Grand Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55419

Hi-View Park

3474 2nd St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Park notes: The park is home to a newer pool with a zero depth entry and splash-pad spray features.

Jackson Square Park 

2212 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Park notes: In addition to a splash-pad style wading pool, Jackson Square Park features a unique interactive musical playground with seven percussion instruments.

Musical playground at Jackson Square Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jackson Square Park

Lake Hiawatha Park

2701 E 44th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Park notes: The wading pool has a zero-depth entry great for little swimmers and some fun splash features for the older ones. 

Linden Hills Park

3100 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55410

Logan Park

690 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Park notes: The wading pool was updated in 2019 to include zero-depth entry and a rain feature.

The Updated Logan Pool
Photo of Logan Pool after construction.

Longfellow Park

3435 36th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Loring Park

1382 Willow St., Minneapolis, MN 55403

Wading Pool in Loring Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Loring Park Pool

Luxton Park

112 Williams Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Park notes: The shallow wading pool has a small slide and fountain. The playground equipment was replaced in 2018.

Wading Pool at Luxton Park in Minneapolis MN
Wading Pool at Luxton Park in Minneapolis MN

Marshall Terrace Park 

2740 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Park notes: This park is part of the Above The Falls Regional Park.
 

McRae Park

906 47th St E, Minneapolis, MN 55407 

Minnehaha Park (Wabun Picnic Area)

4655 46th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55406
Park notes: Wabun Picnic Area has a wonderful, popular wading pool with a cool spraying rock structure and terrific playground equipment.

Morris Park

5531 39th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55417

Mueller Park

2509 Colfax Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

North Commons Park

1801 James Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55411
Park notes: The free wading pool is separate from the North Commons Water Park (which charges a small admission fee).

North Mississippi Regional Park

5114 North Mississippi Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55430
Park notes: The splashy wading pool is beautiful and there is a changing building onsite. The Nature Play Area and Adventure Trail opened in 2021.

kids playing in wading pool at the North Mississippi Regional Park.
North Mississippi Regional Park Pool

Pearl Park

414 Diamond Lake Rd E., Minneapolis, MN 55419

Pershing Field Park 

3523 48th St W., Minneapolis, MN 55410

Phelps Field Park

701 39th St E., Minneapolis, MN 55407
Park notes: The wading pool was replaced with a splash pad in 2022. 

Powderhorn Park

3400 15th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55407
Park notes: The new wading pool features bubblers, a water play feature, a shade structure and benches. The three playgrounds were all updated between the fall of 2016 and Summer of 2017.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

4055 Nicollet Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55409

Riverside Park

2700 8th Street S., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Park notes: This park is part of the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park

Sibley Park

1900 E 40th St., Minneapolis, MN 55407
Park notes: The pool is closed for 2023 for removal and replacement. Check out the new pool in 2024. 

Van Cleve Park

901 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Park notes: The wading pool has been updated with zero-depth entry.

Toddler playing with a Timberwolves playground ball in the wading pool at Van Cleve Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Van Cleve Park

Minneapolis Wading Pools Adjacent to Schools

Because of their proximity to schools, the following parks historically open the Saturday after school releases for the summer and then remain open until Labor Day weekend. The season will not be extended for these parks regardless of temperature.

Armatage Park

2500 57th St W., Minneapolis, MN 55410
Park notes: Armatage is home to one of the six current skate parks in Minneapolis.  

Bethune Park

1301 10th Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55411
Park notes: The wading pool was updated in 2016 with play bubblers and the playground received new equipment.

Bohanon Park 

4917 Bryant Ave N, Minneapolis MN 55430
Park notes: The wading pool has a zero depth entry and a spray feature similar to a splash pad. The new play equipment was installed in 2018.

Bottineau Field Park 

2000 NE 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Central Gym Park 

3416 4th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Park notes: New playgrounds with separate areas for kids 5-12 and a new tot lot were completed in 2018.

Cleveland Park  

3232 Russell Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Park notes: This park has a newer wading pool with a spray feature and a zero depth entry.

Hall Park 

1524 Aldrich Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Harrison Park

503 N Irving Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Park notes: The zero-depth entry and a splash-pad-like spray feature were added to the pool in 2015. In 2021, the pool will be reserved for Rec Plus Participants from noon to 1pm on weekdays. 

Hiawatha School Park 

4305 E 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Park notes: In 2021, the pool will be reserved for Rec Plus Participants from 11am to noon on weekdays. 

Holmes Park 

414 SE 3rd Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Jordan Park 

2927 N Irving Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Keewaydin Park 

3030 E 53rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Park notes: In 2021, the pool will be reserved for Rec Plus Participants from 11am to noon on weekdays. 

Kenny Park

1328 W 58th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Lyndale School

312 W 34th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Lynnhurst Park 

1345 W Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Matthews Park 

2318 29th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Park notes: An especially family-friendly park with three separate playgrounds and a recently updated wading pool with zero-depth entry and a spray feature. In 2021, the pool will be reserved for Rec Plus Participants from 11am to noon on weekdays. 

Peavey Field Park 

730 E 22nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Park notes: Peavey Park reopened in May 2019 with brand new playground equipment, surfacing and three basketball courts in addition to the wading pool.

Shingle Creek Park 

5016 N Morgan Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55430

Stewart Park

2700 12th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Waite Park

1810 34th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Park notes: The pool is a zero-entry style with a splash-pad type water sprayer on the shallow end. In 2021, the pool will be reserved for Rec Plus Participants from 11am to noon on weekdays. 

Waite Park Wading Pool, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Waite Park Wading Pool

Whittier Park 

425 W 26th St, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Willard Park 

17th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Park notes: The wading pool was recently renovated to include a zero-depth entry and a splash-pad spray feature.

Windom Northeast Park 

2251 Hayes St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Park notes: Closed in 2021. Closest alternatives: Waite Park and Audubon Park or Jim Lupient Water Park.

Minneapolis Water Parks

Jim Lupient Water Park

1520 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Part of
NORTHEAST ATHLETIC FIELD PARK, the water park is located across Johnson Street from the Quarry Shopping Center and near several fast food restaurants. The water park includes 3 large slides, a log water walk, spray features and a splash pool for tots, water volleyball and shade structures. Open Mon-Fri, 1-7pm, Sat & Sun, 11am-7pm. Admission is $3-$5/pp.

Jim Lupient Water Park

North Commons Water Park

1701 Golden Valley Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Water park amenities include three-story speed and loop slides, a water playground, and “Funbrellas” for shade. Open Mon-Fri, 3-9pm & Sat, 9am-4pm. Admission is $3-$5/adult; 18 and under FREE. The wading pool in North Commons Park is free to use.

Webber Natural Swimming Pool

1701 Golden Valley Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Webber Natural Swimming Pool is located in
WEBBER PARK and boasts natural filtration system that uses plants in a nearby pond rather than chemicals to treat the water. There are areas of varying depths in the pool including a diving well, wading area and zero-depth entry. Open swim Tues-Sun, 1-7pm. Admission is FREE.

tm webber park pool
Webber Natural Swimming Pool

Minneapolis Splash Pad Parks

Currie Park 

500 S 15th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Park notes: The NEW large splash pad is OPEN. There will be a separate splash place for toddlers and one designed for families and kids ages 5-12. New restrooms are also open.

Splash Pad at Currie Park in Minneapolis Minnesota
Image courtesy of MPRB.

Franklin Steele Square 

1600 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404

tm franklin steele
Franklin Steele Splashpad

Minneapolis beaches

Minneapolis Parks operates twelve FREE beaches within the city that are ideal for a day of sandy sun and fun. Locations include:

MINNEAPOLIS BEACHES

  • Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach – Unguarded.
  • Bde Maka Ska North Beach – Unguarded.
  • Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach  – Guarded daily from noon to 7pm.
  • Cedar Lake East Beach – Unguarded.
  • Cedar Lake Point Beach – Unguarded.
  • Cedar Lake South Beach – Unguarded.
  • Lake Harriet North Beach – Unguarded.
  • Lake Harriet Southeast Beach – Unguarded.
  • Lake Hiawatha Beach – Unguarded.
  • Lake Nokomis 50th Street Beach – Unguarded.
  • Lake Nokomis Main Beach  – Guarded daily from noon to 7pm.
  • Wirth Lake Beach – Guarded daily from noon to 7pm.
Three girls playing in the water at Lake Nokomis Beach in Minneapolis, MN
Lake Nokomis Beach

Indoor Swimming in Minneapolis

MPRB offers PHILLIPS PARK AQUATIC CENTER for indoor swimming. 2323 11th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

More Twin Cities Swimming Options

For a full list of Twin Cities aquatic options, Splash Happy: Guide to Twin Cities Beaches, Pools, Water Parks & Splash Pads.

13 thoughts on “Free Minneapolis Wading Pools”

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    1. Thank you, Brian. Of course, here in Minnesota, we are wading through snow right now. We look forward to our wading pools reopening Memorial Day weekend of 2021.

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    1. Thank you. I do think we have a different readership though. Your selling private pools in New Zealand and we are simply listing public wading pools in Minneapolis.

    1. You are right, Jennifer. I’m afraid that Jackson Square is not among the 20 wading pools that MPRB plans to open this summer. Audobon, Logan and Waite Parks are good options.

  5. MPRB made the decision to close all 12 of its beaches, 62 wading pools, two waterparks and the Webber Natural Swimming Pool because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    1. They did, but then they backtracked a little and decided to open the beaches without lifeguards. Probably because they knew people would swim anyway. So use the beaches at your own risk. The wading pools, Webber and the waterparks are still closed, as you mentioned.

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