Updated 7/2018-Links provided so you can confirm!
Need somewhere to keep cool near Tacoma, Lacey, or Renton during out heat wave? Here’s our round up all of the outdoor pools in the South Sound that are open to the public. We’ve provided links so you can check and confirm details. Be sure to wear that sunscreen!
What to love: Slides and a lazy river! Several readers think this one is less crowded now that Kandle has opened. Let us know if you agree! My older son went to an end of school party here (lucky duck) and loved it.
What to know: Evening session is weather dependent (Not a problem so far this summer)! Check here after 4 pm or call the pool’s phone message line: (253) 573-2532.
Children under the age of seven and those who cannot meet the height requirement must have an adult in the water within an arm’s length at all times while the child is in the water.
Open daily beginning June 18th. Head here for admission fees, pool rules, and hours.
What to love: Wave pool! There is also a great playground, plus a separate tot pool and sprayground.
What to know: Evening session depends on weather and attendance- Check here after 4 pm or call the pool’s phone message line: (253) 404-3920. This is a popular spot-consider bringing some buddies to help wrangle everyone. There are lifeguards.
Open daily. Head here for admission fees, pool rules, and hours.
Henry Moses Aquatic Center, Renton
What to love: Huge water slides, a lazy river, two pools, and more; bargain prices compared to the water park! This is the one you see from 167 as you’re coming into Renton.
What to know: It can close to non residents if it reaches capacity. Purchase tickets for one of two sessions up to three hours in advance. Yes, really. Here’s all the details on that.
What to love: One of the only area wading pools left. A great option for those of you with toddlers. Zero depth entry, and a nice, large size for a wading pool.
What to know: Both the Fircrest pool and wading pool have hours open to the public but at other times they’re open to residents only. Be sure to use the link to check hours before you go. PS We would LOVE an updated review and better pics. of this spot. If you’d like to take some and write one, let me know!
What to love: In and out privileges, and a friendly atmosphere for a reasonable price!
What to know: Just a nice pool-no fancy frills here. It can close to non members if it reaches capacity. The swimming area at Long Lake can be your back up plan!
Please do attend to your children and pool policies even at pools with lifeguards. Here at SFM we strongly encourage swim lessons. It’s a life skill that’s particularly important out here.
Have fun!
Not near you? Head straight to the Sounds Fun Mom Get Wet List for a round up of every outdoor pool, fountain, spray park, and splashy place in the South Sound. I also have a list of swimming lakes here!
If you’d like an indoor pool, we have a list of favorites here!
If everyone is already pruned and wrinkly, we have other ways to Beat the Heat in our cleverly named, “Beat the Heat,” list.
We’d love you to leave a comment with your favs and tips, too!
I have spent many summers going to Long Lake with my family. We would float in tubes, dive off the dock, and I’d even swim laps.
Now, none of that is available. There are no flotation devices, no diving off the dock, and no swimming behind the dock.
It isn’t fun anymore. I am very disappointed.
Sorry to hear that, Lynette! If you have a chance to reach out to parks staff I’d love to hear what they say about those changes. Thanks for the comment!