Looking to beat the heat in the Triangle? Here’s a list of swimming pools and splash pads in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and beyond. There are even a couple of swimming holes in the list. We’re not including private clubs where you have to purchase a membership.
New to Triangle on the Cheap? You might also be interested in:
Swimming Pools and Splash Pads in Wake County
Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
5908 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh
Resident admission: $4 for ages 1-12, $8 for ages 13-54, $6 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $7 for ages 1-12, $15 for ages 13-54, $11 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This center features a three story water slide, lazy river, water vortex, water basketball and volleyball, and three 25-yard lap lanes. There is also a zero depth entry with a tot-sized play area including water tumble buckets, a water curtain, and tot-sized slide.
Millbrook Exchange Pool
1905 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh
Resident admission: $2 for ages 1-12, $4 for ages 13-54, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 1-12, $7 for ages 13-54, $5 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This pool includes a main pool, covered by a fabric tension structure, that is operated year round. There is also a wading pool and sprayground open during the summer season.
Optimist Pool
5902 Whittier Drive, Raleigh
Resident admission: $2 for ages 1-12, $4 for ages 13-54, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 1-12, $7 for ages 13-54, $5 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This pool includes a 50-meter x 25-yard Olympic size swimming pool, a diving well and high diving boards, a large baby pool, lap and recreational swimming, water exercise programs, a city swim league, swim clinics, and American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim lessons, lifeguard training, and instructor-level classes.
Pullen Aquatic Center
410 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
Resident admission: $2 for ages 1-12, $4 for ages 13-54, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 1-12, $7 for ages 13-54, $5 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This center features an indoor 50-meter x 25-yard Olympic size swimming pool, a warm water therapy pool, mezzanine with seating, an outdoor patio, locker room facilities, lap and recreational swimming, water exercise programs, aquatic therapy programs, a city swim league, and American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim lessons, lifeguard training, and instructor-level classes.
Biltmore Pool
701 Crown Crossing Lane, Raleigh
Resident admission: $2 for ages 1-12, $4 for ages 13-54, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 1-12, $7 for ages 13-54, $5 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This pool includes a baby pool, a lap and recreation main pool, and a 12-foot deep end.
Lake Johnson Pool
5863 Jaguar Park Drive, Raleigh
Resident admission: $2 for ages 1-12, $4 for ages 13-54, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 1-12, $7 for ages 13-54, $5 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This pool includes a large sprayground, baby pool, and a lap and recreation main pool.
Longview Pool
321 Bertie Drive, Raleigh
Resident admission: $2 for ages 1-12, $4 for ages 13-54, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 1-12, $7 for ages 13-54, $5 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This pool features a baby pool as well as a lap and recreation main pool.
Ridge Road Pool
1709 Ridge Road, Raleigh
Resident admission: $2 for ages 1-12, $4 for ages 13-54, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 1-12, $7 for ages 13-54, $5 for ages 55+
Monthly and annual passes, as well as punch passes, are also available.
This pool features a baby pool, sprayground, a lap and recreation main pool, and a 12-foot deep end.
Holding Park Aquatic Center
133 W. Owen Avenue, Wake Forest
Resident admission: $1 for ages 2 and under, $4 for ages 3-13, $5 for ages 13-59, $4 for ages 60+
Non-Resident admission: $2 for ages 2 and under, $6 for ages 3-13, $7 for ages 13-59, $6 for ages 60+
A seasonal punch card that can used by multiple patrons is also available, for $60 for residents and $100 for non-residents.
This pool features a six lane, 25-yard lap pool, two water slides with a plunge pool, and a children’s pool with water play.
Taylor Street Park Sprayground
416 North Taylor Street, Wake Forest
Admission: Free for residents and non-residents
This sprayground includes 30 different water features, including a bucket trio and water arch.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest
Admission: $7 per car per day, $5 for ages 62+ and military per car per day
Individual and friends and family annual passes are available.
There are five swim beaches in the recreation area as well as a number of boat ramps, some reserved fro paddlers and non-gasoline powered boats. The Beaverdam access offers a separate and quiet lake impoundment perfect for paddling, fishing, and swimming.
Triangle Aquatic Center
275 Convention Drive, Cary
Admission: $3.25 for ages 2-17, $5.50 for ages 18-59, $3 for ages 60+
Family passes and monthly and yearly passes are also available.
This center features year-round aquatic facilities with swim programs for all ages, private lessons, fitness programs, a year-round swim team, and American Red Cross certification courses.
Jack Smith Park Sprayground
9725 Penny Road, Cary
Admission: Free for residents and non-residents
This splash pad offers seven water features and is designed for ages 12 and under.
Waverly Place Splash Pad
302 Colonades Way, Cary
Admission: Free for residents and non-residents
This splash pad features jets and a dial system.
Knightdale Community Pool
202 Milburnie Road, Knightdale
Admission: Free for ages under 1, $2 for ages 1-5, $4 for ages 6-12, $5 for ages 13+
Late admission: $3 for ages 6 and older, from 5 p.m. to close
Summer passes are also available.
This is an outdoor, seasonal pool.
Fuquay-Varina Splash Pad
900 South Main Street, Fuquay-Varina
Resident admission: Free, but must have a Resident Splash Pad card that can be picked up at the community center. Please bring proof of residency when picking up your card, A new card must be issued each year.
Non-Resident admission: $2 per person. Free for children under 2. One parent will be admitted without charge.
A 6,000 square foot pentagon shaped pad with multiple jets of water and more than 35 water features. All children under the age of 13 must have adult supervision.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
280 State Park Road, Apex
Admission: $7 per car per day, $5 for ages 62+ and military per car per day
Individual and friends and family annual passes are available.
There are seven swim beaches in the recreation area and a number of boating ramps, with some swim areas and ramps reserved for campers.
Swimming Pools and Splash Pads in Orange County
Homestead Aquatic Center
300 Aquatic Drive, Chapel Hill
Resident admission: $2 for ages 8 and under, $3 for ages 9-18, $5 for ages 19+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 8 and under, $5 for ages 9-18, $9 for ages 19+
20-visit passes, 6 month passes, and annual passes are also available.
This center includes a 10 lane 25-yard lap pool, a recreation warm water pool with ramp access, accessible locker rooms, family changing areas, and a meeting room.
Chapel Hill Community Center Indoor Pool
120 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill
Resident admission: $2 for ages 8 and under, $3 for ages 9-18, $5 for ages 19+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 8 and under, $5 for ages 9-18, $9 for ages 19+
20-visit passes, 6 month passes, and annual passes are also available.
This center offers a 6 lane 25-meter indoor pool with zero depth ramp entry, locker rooms, showers, and a family changing area.
A.D. Clark Outdoor Pool
Hargraves Center, 216 North Roberson Street, Chapel Hill
Resident admission: $2 for ages 8 and under, $3 for ages 9-18, $5 for ages 19+
Non-Resident admission: $3 for ages 8 and under, $5 for ages 9-18, $9 for ages 19+
20-visit passes, 6 month passes, and annual passes are also available.
This 25-meter pool offers zero depth entry, 4 lap lanes, locker rooms, showers, and a family changing area.
Orange County Sportsplex
101 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough
Admission: $5 for ages 12 and under, $6 for ages 13 – 54, $4 for ages 55+
This sportsplex offers a six foot deep competition lap swimming pool, a recreation pool featuring handicap ramp access, and a gated baby pool.
Swimming Pools and Splash Pads in Durham County
Forest Hills Pool & Sprayground
1639 University Drive, Durham
Resident admission: Free for ages 0-18, $3 for ages 19+, $2 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $5 for ages 0-18, $8 for ages 19+, $7 for ages 55+
There is free admission on Tuesdays, and no fee for the sprayground.
Includes an outdoor pool and a sprayground, which is located in the playground area and can be accessed when the pool is closed. All visitors under 18 must be registered by a parent or guardian in the Active NET system prior to utilizing the pool alone.
Hillside Pool & Sprayground
1221 Sawyer Street, Durham
Resident admission: Free for ages 0-18, $3 for ages 19+, $2 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $5 for ages 0-18, $8 for ages 19+, $7 for ages 55+
There is free admission on Wednesdays.
Includes an outdoor pool and a sprayground, which is located inside the pool area and is only open during pool hours. Pool fees apply. All visitors under 18 must be registered by a parent or guardian in the Active NET system prior to utilizing the pool alone.
Long Meadow Pool
917 Liberty Street, Durham
Resident admission: Free for ages 0-18, $3 for ages 19+, $2 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $5 for ages 0-18, $8 for ages 19+, $7 for ages 55+
There is free admission on Mondays.
Includes an outdoor pool. All visitors under 18 must be registered by a parent or guardian in the Active NET system prior to utilizing the pool alone.
Edison Johnson Aquatics Center
500 West Murray Avenue, Durham
Resident admission: Free for ages 0-18, $4 for ages 19+, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $5 for ages 0-18, $9 for ages 19+, $8 for ages 55+
There are also punch passes and monthly swim passes available.
This center features an 8 lane indoor pool and offers a number of water programs including exercise/fitness, swim lessons, swim teams, lap swim, and family swim. The pool also has an aquatic lift as well as a ramp entrance and water chair.
Edison Johnson Sprayground
500 West Murray Avenue, Durham
Resident admission: Free
Non-Resident admission: Free
This sprayground is located between the Edison Johnson Recreation Center and Aquatics Center within Rock Quarry Park. In addition to the sprayground, there is also a playground, picnic tables, and a grill.
Campus Hills Pool
2000 South Alston Avenue, Durham
Resident admission: Free for ages 0-18, $4 for ages 19+, $3 for ages 55+
Non-Resident admission: $5 for ages 0-18, $9 for ages 19+, $8 for ages 55+
There are also punch passes and monthly swim passes available.
This 8 lane indoor pool offers water programs including exercise/fitness, swim lessons, swim teams, lap swim, and family swim. The pool also has an aquatic lift.
East End Park Sprayground
1200 North Alston Avenue, Durham
Admission: Free for residents and non-residents
Located within East End Park, this sprayground features playground areas with water features.
Sennet Hole
5101 North Roxboro Road, Durham
Admission: Free for residents and non-residents
Hike the West Point on the Eno city park trail for about a mile to discover Sennet Hole, a rock-rimmed pool that enables you to dive up to eight feet.
Swimming Pool in Chatham County
Bray Park Aquatic Facility
700 Alston Bridge Road, Siler City
Admission: Free for ages under 2, $5 for ages 3+
There are also individual, couple, and family season passes available.
This facility offers open swim, swimming lessons, and more.
Swimming Pool in Johnston County
Benson Community Swimming Pool
2345 Atlantic Avenue, Benson
Admission: $4 for ages 12 and under, $5 for ages 13-17, $6 for ages 18+
There are also punch passes and individual and family passes available.
On Family Nights, which are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., receive half off daily admission fees.
Features an outdoor pool and kiddie pool area.
