We track 17 splash pads in St. Louis — the best-served city in Missouri. Every one of them is free. 9 are confirmed against official parks-department listings.
Peak summer highs in St. Louis average 88°F — warm enough for a splash pad through most of the season without being punishing at midday.
| Month | Average high |
|---|---|
| June | 84°F |
| July | 88°F |
| August | 87°F |
The typical St. Louis pad runs about 22 weeks a year. Municipal pads often close early for maintenance, so the last few weeks of the season are the least reliable.
The things that decide a trip with small children — a toilet, some shade, somewhere to sit — are exactly what listings usually leave out. Across the 17 pads in St. Louis:
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A traditional shallow wading pool rather than a jet-style pad, which makes it a gentler option for toddlers who dislike spraying water. It is one of the handful of water features the city parks department operates on the near north side.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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The city's Tilles Park (not to be confused with the county park of the same name in Ladue) keeps a jet-style splash pad next to its tennis courts. Per the parks department, the splash pad cannot be reserved for private events.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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One of the city's official spray pools, tucked into a small memorial square along South Broadway. It is a simple, no-frills spot for a quick cool-down on the south side.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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Soulard families treat this square's spray pool as their default summer hangout, since it sits within walking distance of the neighborhood's row houses. It is on the city parks department's official spray pool roster.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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A small official city spray pool serving the Hyde Park and Old North neighborhoods. Like the city's other spray pools it runs on regular park hours and costs nothing.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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Instead of jets on concrete, this 17-acre corner of Forest Park lets kids work hand pumps and wade through a constructed wetland and spring. Because the water play is built into the landscape, it stays open year-round rather than shutting off after Labor Day.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
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This downtown sculpture garden sends choreographed jets up between major works of public art, and kids are welcome to run through all of it. A shallow split-basin wading pool sits steps away, and admission never costs a dime.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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The Botanical Garden's children's garden folds a splash pad in among climbing rocks, a tree house, and themed interactive exhibits. Water play is included with regular Garden admission rather than priced separately.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
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Downtown's civic front lawn combines a splash area with a dry playground of swings and climbing nets, all framed by a postcard view of the Gateway Arch. It is a convenient add-on to any downtown outing with kids.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
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A compact neighborhood splash pool in Tower Grove South that shows up on the city parks department's official spray-and-wading-pool roster. Its small footprint makes it easy to keep eyes on little ones.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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Tower Grove Park's pop jets run on one of the longest seasons in the region, staying on through the end of October. The fountain sits near the park's playgrounds, so a splash session pairs naturally with a picnic under the Victorian pavilions.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season
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The spray pool sits beside the Cornerstone Playground in one of north St. Louis's big historic parks. It appears on the city's official list of spray and wading pools, so water features are maintained by the parks department.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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A St. Louis County park in the south county area whose spray fountain sits alongside a playground, tennis courts, and athletic fields. County parks advise checking the park status map before driving out, since fountains are shut off for maintenance without much notice.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
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This north county park, dedicated in 1995, pairs its splash fountain play area with a playground, paved fitness trail, and basketball courts. St. Louis County Parks runs the fountain at no charge on regular park hours.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season · parks dept confirmed
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The splash area at the front of the Gateway Arch grounds lets kids cool off with the 630-foot monument towering directly overhead. It is one of the few splash spots in the country set inside a national park.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season
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This south county park near Jefferson Barracks features pop jets and a spraying arch that kids run through on repeat. Note the water shuts off at 6 p.m., earlier than most area pads.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season
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A space-themed destination playground in St. Louis Hills where saucer swings and a helicopter climber sit right beside the water play area. The pairing means kids can bounce between dry and wet play without leaving sight of one bench.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
Know a splash pad we're missing in St. Louis?Add it to the guide.