We track 5 splash pads in Salt Lake City — the best-served city in Utah. 2 of them are free.
Peak summer highs in Salt Lake City average 89°F — warm enough for a splash pad through most of the season without being punishing at midday.
| Month | Average high |
|---|---|
| June | 82°F |
| July | 89°F |
| August | 87°F |
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 5 pads in Salt Lake City:
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The open-air Gateway mall's plaza fountain doubles as a downtown splash zone where kids are welcome to run through the choreographed jets. It sits steps from the Clark Planetarium and Discovery Gateway children's museum, making it an easy add-on to a downtown outing.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
$26.95attractionticketedtoddlerzero-depth
Utah's Hogle Zoo includes the Lighthouse Point splash area with a slide, shipwreck, tide pool, and blowholes themed around a seaside village. Water play is included with regular zoo admission, so pack swimsuits for a mid-visit cool-down.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
$16attractionticketedtoddlershade
A small splash feature tucked inside the children's garden at Red Butte Garden, the University of Utah's botanical garden in the foothills. Admission runs about $16 for adults and $8 for kids ages 3-17, so it works best as part of a full garden visit rather than a quick splash stop.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
$25attractionticketedplayground-nearby
The living-history village at the mouth of Emigration Canyon includes a splash pad with paid park admission, alongside pioneer-era attractions and train rides. It sits directly across the street from Hogle Zoo on Sunnyside Avenue.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
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The upscale City Creek shopping center runs an interactive fountain where water play is officially encouraged, a rarity for a retail plaza. It's a convenient cool-down spot for families exploring Temple Square and downtown Salt Lake.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
Know a splash pad we're missing in Salt Lake City?Add it to the guide.