Aquatics
Des Moines Parks and Recreation operates two swimming pools, three family aquatic centers, four splash pools, 13 spraygrounds and five wading pools. We also offer swim lessons and a number of special aquatic events each year.
Aquatics Updates
All swimming pools, aquatic centers, splash pools, and wading pools are closed for the season. Spraygrounds close today, Sept. 30 and will reopen May 1, 2022. We hope you enjoyed your summer at our facilities and look forward to seeing you next year!
Disclaimer: In order to comply with emergency proclamations by the Governor or Mayor, as such may be amended from time to time, and as public health guidelines evolve, for the safety of staff and the public, the Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel Facility Use permits or registrations at any time. In the event of a cancellation, the City’s sole liability will be to refund the permit or registration fees. In addition, the Department reserves the right to change the Facility Use permit or registration requirements at any time. The Department will contact applicant, user, or registrants as soon as reasonably possible with such cancellation or changes. Click for more COVID-19 Information
2021 Season Information
Season Pool Passes and Punch Cards can be purchased online or at the pools during swim season.
Season Pool Passes
| # of People | Price | Early Bird Price (April 1-30) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $45 | $40 |
| 2 Person | $80 | $75 |
| 3 Person | $110 | $100 |
| 4 Person | $140 | $125 |
| Additional Family over 4 | $10 | $10 |
Punch Cards Savings of $0.50 per admission
| # of Punches | Youth Price | Adult Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Punches | $7.50 | $17.50 |
| 20 Punches | $30 | $70 |
2021 Pool Season June 5 - August 15
Regular Hours
Pools
Ashworth & Birdland 6/5 - 8/15
Monday-Friday from 1 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday from 1 - 6 p.m.
Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.
Aquatic Centers
Nahas, Northwest, & Teachout 6/5 - 7/18
Monday-Friday from 1 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.
Nahas, Northwest, & Teachout 7/19 - 8/15
Monday-Friday from 1 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.
*Dates may adjust based on Des Moines Public Schools schedule. Teachout Family Aquatic Center opens Memorial Day Weekend; Nahas Family Aquatic Center opens weekends after season and Labor Day Weekend
Daily Admission
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| Ages 2 and under | Free |
| Ages 3 - 20 | $2 |
| Ages 21 and above | $4 |
*1/2 price admission Monday - Thursday after 5 p.m.
Rent one of our aquatic facilities for your next event. Rentals are available to all persons, organizations, clubs and youth groups.
Reservations are arranged on a first-come, first-serve basis and depends on the availability of staff. Rates are set according to the number of people in your group.
Rental Fees:
| # of People | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| 1-50 | $110 |
| 51-100 | $160 |
| 101-150 | $210 |
| 151-200 | $260 |
| 201-250 | $310 |
| 251-300 | $360 |
- Rental requests must be made online at least 10 days prior to the date of facility use
- All facilities are available for private rental from June - August
- Private pool rental are for events with no admission charge
- Rental Times:
- Before or after regular hours (mornings or evenings; dependent on programming)
- Registration Begins:
- April 1, 2021
- Registration Ends:
- July 22, 2021
- Cost:
- Rates set according to number of people in your group
- Locations:
- All Pools
- The Youth Recreational Scholarship Program (YRSP) is offered in partnership with Des Moines Public Schools and allows students to receive $5 swim lesson and/or youth sport experiences.
- The Greater Des Moines Recreational Activity Scholarship Program (GRASP) is a program that gives access to discounts on swim lessons and season swim passes (and more!) for households within Des Moines that meet established guidelines.
Check out our scholarship page for more information.
View the number of people at each facility by visiting our real-time patron capacity tracker here.
Aquatic Locations
2021 Pool Season June 5 - August 15
Find details about each facility in our Parks Directory.
All swimming pools and aquatic centers will close for the season on Sunday, August 15, 2021.
Nahas Aquatic Center will remain open on weekends through Labor Day (subject to change).
Pools
Our swimming pools offer traditional amenities such as lane swimming, diving boards, baby pools and water basketball hoops.
Hours
6/5 - 8/15
Monday-Friday from 1 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday from 1 - 6 p.m.
Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.
Aquatic Centers
Our family aquatic centers offer pools with amenities such as water slides, rain drop water features and zero depth entry.
Hours
6/5 - 7/18
Monday-Friday from 1 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.
7/19 - 8/15
Monday-Friday from 1 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.
MLK Jr. and Pete Crivaro Park Splash Pools will close for the season on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Ashby and Union Park Splash Pools will close for the season on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021.
A splash pool is a splash pad with standing water and spray features; offering water play specifically aimed at children ages 10 and under.
Hours
The days and hours of operation vary by facility.
Find details about each facility in our Parks Directory.
City of Des Moines splash pools are staffed, however, parental supervision is strongly encouraged.
All spraygrounds will close for the season on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 (weather permitting).
A sprayground is a splash pad with spray features without standing water; offering water play specifically aimed at children ages 10 and under.
- Bates Park Sprayground
- Columbus Park Sprayground
- Drake Park Sprayground
- Evelyn K. Davis Park Sprayground
- Fairmont Park Sprayground
- Good Park Sprayground
- Grandview Park Sprayground
- Greenwood Park Sprayground
- McHenry Park Sprayground
- Sargent Park Sprayground
- Sheridan Park Sprayground
- Tower Park Sprayground
- Woodlawn Park Sprayground
Hours
All spraygrounds operate daily 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. from May 1 through September 30, free of charge.
City of Des Moines staff are not provided at spraygrounds, so parental supervision is required.
Find details about our facilities in our Parks Directory.
All wading pools (except Ashfield Park) will be closed for the season as of Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Wading pools are specifically aimed at children ages 10 and under. Wading pools provide a great opportunity for children to meet other children, have fun, and build water confidence.
Hours
The days and hours of operation vary by facility during swim season, June 7 through August 11.
City of Des Moines staff are provided at wading pools, but parental supervision is required.
Find details about our facilities in our Parks Directory.
Aquatic Events
Fitness Hour welcomes patrons to participate in a variety of activities including lap swim, water walking, and utilization of the Aqua Bike/Treadmill. *Lanes are limited during scheduled aqua fitness classes.
- Program Times:
- Monday - Friday 8 - 9 a.m. and 12 - 1 p.m.
- *Starting 8/2 Ashworth will expand the lap swim offering from 7-9 a.m.
Saturday - Sunday 12 - 1 p.m. - Cost:
- Regular admission applies
- Ages:
- Adult
- Locations:
- Ashworth and Birdland Swimming Pool
What is Total Body Aqua?
Total Body Aqua is a class that combines cardiovascular exercise with core, strength, and stretching to give students of all fitness levels a total body workout.
Ashworth: Tuesday/Thursday: 12 - 12:45 p.m.
Total Body Aqua
Total Body Aqua is a class that combines cardiovascular exercise with core, strength and stretching to give students of all fitness levels a total body workout.
- Location:
- Ashworth
- Days:
- Tuesday/Thursday
- Time:
- 12 - 12:45 p.m.
- Cost:
- $4 - Drop- in
Make a splash at the pool Monday – Thursday after 5 p.m. throughout the summer. Half-price of daily admission applies.
- When:
- Monday – Thursday in June, July, and August
- Program Times:
- 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Cost:
- Half-price of daily admission
- Ages:
- All Ages
- Locations:
- All Pools
Grab the family and jump into the pool. Enjoy Family Day at all City of Des Moines aquatic facilities.
- When:
- Second Friday of each month in June, July and August
- Program Times:
- Regular Hours
- Cost:
- $5 per family
- Ages:
- All Ages
- Location:
- All Pools
Make a splash on Father's Day, as we honor fathers and celebrate fatherhood with complimentary admission for fathers.
- When:
- Sunday, June 20
- Program Times:
- Regular Hours
- Cost:
- Free admission for fathers (adult) with paid youth admission
- Ages:
- All Ages
- Location:
- All Pools
Grab your goggles and jump into one of the aquatic facilities and swim a lap or two. Celebrate the sport of swimming with the City of Des Moines.
- When:
- Wednesday, June 24
- Program Times:
- Regular hours
- Cost:
- Half-price admission all day
- Ages:
- All Ages
- Location:
- All Pools
Celebrate with us on the Fourth of July with some backyard fun. We will be creating a giant Slip N’ Slide on the north hill at Nahas from 1 - 3 p.m.
Participants will need to fill out a wavier before participating. Anyone under 18 will need to have a parent/guardian sign their waiver.
- When:
- Sunday, August 8th
- Program Times:
- 1 - 3 p.m.
- Cost:
- Daily Admission
- Location:
- Nahas Aquatic Center
Celebrate our nation's independence with the City of Des Moines. For those who serve or have served our country, receive free admission to our aquatic facilities.
Thank you for your service!
- Program Times:
- Regular Hours
- Cost:
- • Free admission for active duty, retired and veteran military with military identification card
• Immediate family members with military personnel receive half-price admission - Ages:
- All Ages
- Location:
- All Pools
Des Moines is a Home Base Iowa community. Learn more about available benefits
Join us for this "Royal" event. Meet and Greet with Princesses and Mermaids throughout the aquatic center while swimming. Each paying participant will get to enjoy an ice cream sundae and make a sand art necklace. Characters will depend on availability. Pre-registration is required. Each participant must be accompanied by one adult 18+.
- When:
- Tuesday, July 6
- Program Times:
- 6:30 - 8 p.m.
- Cost:
- $15
- Ages:
- 0 - 12
- Location:
- Northwest Family Aquatic Center
National Parents' Day is a day to honor all parents. Stop by the aquatic centers and make a splash with your kids.
- When:
- Sunday, July 25
- Program Times:
- Regular hours
- Cost:
- Free admission for parents (adult admission) with a paid youth admission
- Ages:
- All Ages
- Location:
- All Pools
