Alton Splash Pad (Alton) is designed to provide water play amid nature-themed educational elements. Another FREE options for families to enjoy on hot days. 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 were incredibly kind and helpful each step of the way. They sell snacks, have a water bottle filler, a drinking fountain, and bathrooms. 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: Rates are $18 and under for non residents. (Passes were available at Collinsville Library in 2022.)
  • Best for Ages: Lots to do for all ages.
  • Great For: An adventure near home.
  • Drawbacks: Can get pricy for larger families.

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: Resident is $1 per person with $1 bracelets purchased at Village Hall. Non-resident is $2.00 per person.
  • Best for Ages: Lots to do for all ages.
  • Great For: An adventure near home.
  • Drawbacks: No food or drinks allowed inside the splash pad.

Highland Public Pool (Highland) 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 can get bored. Bring small toys or friends to keep kids busy.

Korte Recreation Center is an indoor pool with a hot tub, toddler section, 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.
  • Best for Ages: Great for toddlers and under 6!
  • Great For: Indoor fun in the winter, parties, an adventure near home.
  • Drawbacks: a bit pricy for larger families.

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.
  • Great For: Free fun close to home.
  • Drawbacks: Can get crowded. Adjacent playground can be slick when wet.

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 park without larger elements.

The Nature Institute has a number of shallow creeks to play in. Our family explored the Rock trail. There was also 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.

Silver Lake (Highland) 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.

WATERSHED NATURE CENTER is a 40+ acre outdoor learning center with stroller friendly paved trails, dirt trails, elevated walks over wetlands, observation towers, an observation blind, lakes, prairies, forest, and an interpretive welcome center. Pet friendly.

  • Trails: Paved with smaller and bigger loops.
  • Don't Miss: The various educational programs and FREE discovery days.
  • Great For: A day exploring the wilderness.
  • Drawbacks: Can get muddy, but my kids LOVE it!


Emmenneger Park (Kirkwood, Missouri) 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. There is a rope swing on the other side of the creek, quiet trails, and a rocky beach.

  • Cost: FREE
  • Best for Ages: All Ages
  • Great For: Peace, quiet, adventure, views
  • Drawbacks: Longer Drive


Lake Lou Yaeger is a nearby beach with lots to do. 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.
  • Best for Ages: Perfect for anyone comfortable in water. (Lifejackets are available and permitted for all ages. Lifejackets are required on blow ups.)
  • Great For: All ages especially teens!
  • Drawbacks: Can get crowded.