Alton Splash Pad (Alton)
is designed to provide water play amid nature-themed educational elements. We were thrilled to find slides, buckets, animal sprayers, lots of shade, comfortable seats for families, and a secure fence with a child-safe closure! The facility was very clean, and they opened right on time. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful each step of the way. The splash pad alton il sells snacks, have a water bottle filler, a drinking fountain, and bathrooms. Located at 1 riverfront drive.
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: Under 8
Great For: A hot day.
Drawbacks: Paint created a harsh surface. Wear pants or tights to avoid scrapes!
Collinsville Aqua Park
has 7 slides including open air and tube slides that range from 9 feet to 3 stories tall. A 50 foot tall water castle with slides, hoses, and buckets. A figure-eight patterned lazy river with solo and tandem tubes. A 12-foot-tall climbing wall above the deep end of the pool. There is also a fortress play area where you can jostle valves and shoot water. There are floating lily pads with an overhead rope to cross. No charge for parking, inner tubes, or life jackets.
Cost: $18 and under.
*Collinsville, Fairmont, Edwardsville, and Maryville libraries have FREE passes for the waterpark.
Best for Ages: Lots to do for all ages.
Great For: A day at the water park!
Drawbacks: Can get pricy for larger families.
Glazebrook Parks and Splash Pad
Glazebrook Park has two ponds, two playgrounds, two concession stands, three restroom facilities, two rentable shelters, a rentable gazebo, four soccer fields, a splash pad, and over 3 miles of walking trails. The splash pad has a large dump bucket, lots of smaller buckets, and lots of sprayers. There were 4 picnic tables with umbrellas and a fence with a child lock. Staff were attentive and came over when there was something that needed to be cleaned up. Glazebrook Park is located at 1401 Stamper Lane and is the site of all of the special events, including the Great Godfrey Maze in September and October.
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: Fenced in with larger dump bucket to satisfy most kids.
Great For: A day at the splash pad!
Drawbacks: Chairs aren't very comfy. Bring some of your own for a longer stay.
Hartford Splash Park
is a fenced in splash pad. Hours are 12:00PM-5:00PM. Parties can be scheduled before or after the public's hours. Parties can be reserved at the Village Hall. Please contact the Water Clerk at (618) 251-2680 if you would like to reserve the Splash Park. Parties cost $50.00 for Hartford residents and $100.00 for non-residents. This does not include a shelter.
Cost: Residents are $1 per person with $1 bracelets purchased at Village Hall. Non-resident is $2.00 per person.
Best for Ages: Great for elementary and younger kids.
Great For: An adventure near home.
Drawbacks: No food or drinks allowed inside the splash pad.
Highland Public Pool
has a diving board and climbing wall. Open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday 1- 5:30pm and Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 1- 8:30pm.
Cost: Daily passes are $4 or less.
Best for Ages: Confident swimmers. There is not a children's pool.
Great For: An inexpensive day in a cool pool.
Drawbacks: Kids should bring small toys or friends to keep busy.
Korte Recreation Center
is an indoor pool with a hot tub, toddler pool, lazy river, whirlpool, a two story water slide, and lap lanes.
Cost: Day passes range from $4.50 to $23 per person and include fitness center, gym, walking track, concessions, & swimming. Family day passes are available.
Best for Ages: Great for toddlers and my pre-teen loves the slide.
Great For: Indoor fun in the winter, parties, and adventure near home.
Drawbacks: A bit pricy for larger families. No diving boards or area where diving is permitted.
Leon Corlew Park & Splash Pad
has a splash pad, workout area, large pavilions, bathrooms, barbecue grills, a concessions area, large playground, and younger children's playground. The splash pad has features for young and older kids. There is a large bucket drop and some apparatus that can be manipulated. There are a few shaded benches, but space runs out in the shade. Many families bring buckets and water guns.
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: Toddler through elementary. comfortable in water. (Lifejackets are available and permitted for all ages. Lifejackets are required on blow up equipment.)
Great For: Free fun close to home.
Drawbacks: Can get crowded. Adjacent playground can be slick when wet.
O’Fallon Splash Pad
has two manmade creek areas that kids can play in the trickling water. In between the creeks, there is a traditional splash pad with several different types of sprayers and 3 small buckets. Children can go back and forth from creeks, splash pad, and two playgrounds. Shade is available and benches surround the play areas. Splash pad is not fenced in and is near the parking lot.
Splash Pad Hours: Daily It is FREE. Not pets allowed. Restrooms are present. Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm. Tot time hours Tuesdays 8:30-10:30am for 5 and under only.
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: All of my kids love this one!
Great For: Lots to do in one place!
Drawbacks: Kids who run have access to the parking lot, but there is a good deal of space before the lot.
Roxana Pool
is open from May 30 through August 31, noon to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The pool is also open Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: The daily fee to enter the pool is $10 for non-residents $6 for residents (and FREE for toddlers 2 and under.)
Best for Ages: Younger kids.
Great For: A day in a cool pool.
Drawbacks: Pool can be expensive. Buy a season pass if you plan to go a few times.
Splash Landing Splash Pad
has interactive water pieces as well as dumping buckets, pole sprayers, jets, umbrella poles, and more. Children under 12 must have an adult and need an adult to come and go because a staff is on duty at exit. Directly outside, there is a playground with old fashioned favorites and newer elements. Open 10 AM - 5 PM. There are clean bathrooms\ changing rooms. Snacks are available for purchase. No outside food is allowed.
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: Toddler and elementary.
Great For: Relaxing (on comfortable chairs with umbrellas) while kids enjoy the water without worrying that kids can run off.
Drawbacks: Smaller splash pad without larger elements.
The Nature Institute
has a number of shallow creeks to play in. Our family explored the Rock trail. There was not a crowd at the creeks. There is also "Beaver Falls" mentioned on the trail map. It is small, but worth the walk!
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: All ages!
Great For: A relaxing day that all ages can enjoy.
Drawbacks: You might get dirty. NOT pet friendly. Closed Mondays. Restroom are closed at 4pm on weekdays and on weekends. elements.
Silver Lake
runs along the shore of a lake with a 4+ mile wooded trail that is not stroller friendly. Leashed pets are welcome. Our family enjoys playing in the water at the top of the hill and also in the small waterfall\creek.
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: Comfortably walking
Great For: Peace & quiet.
Drawbacks: Fishing Lines are often discarded in water. local ordinance doesn't allow for swimming.
Emmenneger Park
is a little of everything I love in the outdoors. There is a shallow creek which my kids can play in without me having to be hyper vigilant, a rope swing, quiet trails, nice views, and a rocky beach. If you walk a bit down the trail, there are some spectacular views and access to the much deeper river. Be careful on the river, water moves fast.
Cost: FREE
Best for Ages: All Ages
Great For: Peace, quiet, adventure, views families.
Drawbacks: Longer Drive
Lake Lou Yaeger
has Milnot Beach with lots to do right outside of Madison County. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 12-5pm and weekends & holidays 11am-6pm, weather permitting! Lifejackets, water apparatus, and diving boards are available and included in entrance fee. Lifeguards are on staff and attentive.
Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for children aged 5-17. Under 5 admitted free. Family season pass looks like a great deal and includes 10 members.
Best for Ages: Perfect for anyone comfortable in water. (Lifejackets are available and permitted for all ages. Lifejackets are required on blow up equipment.)
Great For: Families with a range of ages.
Drawbacks: Can get crowded on the beach. Pulling onto floating equipment can be difficult.
Mastodon State Historic Site
has a long shallow creek with many shady wading areas. To get to the creek, park near the playground go past the bathrooms and across the bridge! The creek is ideal for some splashing around. It can have a crowd on weekends and holidays, but there is usually enough time to spread out. Pet Friendly.
Don't Miss: Finding crayfish, snakes, and turtles!
Great For: A picnic in nature.
Drawbacks: No place to sit at the creek. Bring your own chairs. There are deep areas of the creek, so keep an eye on kids.
Trails: Great trails with beautiful views and tons to discover.
Other Great Water sites
Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview Heights: There’s a trail at the trailhead near the cabin and come out at one near the shelter near the playground.
SIUE: Park by the soccer fields. Cross the street to the log cabin. There is a trail behind it. Keep to the left for 3\4 mile.
Ogles Creek
Indian Camp Creek in MO
Nature playscape at Forest Park
