Summer Means Water Parks, Splash Pads, Pools, and Beach Season is here!
As the temperatures begin to rise and the water beckons, we’ve compiled a list of 30 water parks, splash pads, and outdoor pools to help you cool off this summer. So pack your swimsuits, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to make a splash at these favorite Lansing spots to cool off in the summer.
Where to Find Water Parks, Splash Pads, & Beaches In Lansing This Summer
Pack the bathing suits, beach towels, and sand toys and head to these 15 places to cool off in water around the Lansing area + 15 locations close enough for a day trip and worth-the-drive.
| Hawk Island Open Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend Lake/Beach with lifeguards from 12 PM to 8 PM (swim at your own risk outside of these hours) Splash Pad Boat Rental FREE to play Parking is $3 (Ingham county residents) and $5 for non-residents. Yearly parking passes available. *CATA offers free rides to select Ingham County Parks. Advance reservations required. 1601 E. Cavanaugh Rd. Lansing, 48910 |
| East Lansing Family Aquatic Center Water Park Opening day June 3, 2023 Open June through Labor Day. Open days are weather-dependent. Check their Facebook page for updates on when you and the fam can splash all day. 6400 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, 48823 |
| Hunter Park Pool Opening June 26, 2023 Pool FREE to swim and park Bring your ID to check-in plus a lock for their locker rooms. In most cases, personal items are not allowed on the deck. Hunter Park Pool is staffed by the Lansing YMCA. 1400 E Kalamazoo St, Lansing, 48912 |
| Moores Park Pool ⊗ CLOSED for Renovations Pool Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the J.H. Moores Memorial Natatorium—or as we call it, Moores Park Pool—is in need of significant renovations to save it. Read more on the history and efforts here. When open, FREE to swim and park. Two great playgrounds are located along the paved river trail that runs through Moores Park. 420 Moores River Dr, Lansing, 48910 |
| Lake Lansing South Beach Open Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend Lifeguards 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. (swim at your own risk outside lifeguard hours). FREE to play and swim Parking is $3 (Ingham County residents) and $5 for non-residents. Yearly parking passes available. *CATA offers free rides to select Ingham County Parks. Advance reservations required. 1621 Pike St, Haslett MI, 48840 |
| Valhalla Park Open Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend Beach No lifeguards, swim at your own risk. FREE to swim and park. 2287 Pine Tree Rd, Holt, 48842 |
| Park Lake Beach No lifeguards, swim at your own risk. FREE/public swim access. Wiswasser Park playground is across the street. 6244 Park Lake Road, Bath, MI 48808 |
| Burchfield Park Open Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend Beach Lifeguards 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., swim at your own risk outside of these hours. FREE to swim. Canoe/kayak rental. Parking is $3 (Ingham County residents) and $5 for non-residents. Yearly parking passes available. *CATA offers free rides to select Ingham County Parks. Advance reservations required. 881 Grovenburg Rd, Holt, 48842 |
| Jaycee Park Open Memorial Day – Labor Day Weekend Splash Pad FREE to play 525 E River St, Grand Ledge, 48837 |
| Nixon Water Park Opening day TBD. $3-5 per person depending on the time of day. Check the website for times and exact fees. 400 E. North St. Jackson, 49201 |
| St. Johns City Park/Spray Park Open through Labor Day Weekend Splash Pad FREE to play 805 W Park St, St Johns, 48879 |
| Sleepy Hollow State Park Beach is open year-round. Buoys up from Memorial Day Weekend – mid-September. Beach No lifeguards, swim at your own risk. FREE to swim. Free parking with Michigan registration recreational passport. 7835 E Price Rd, Laingsburg, 48848 |
| Cascades Falls and Splash Pad ($) Open Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend. Splash Pad. Kids 3 and under FREE to play. Ages 4+ $2/person. 1401 S Brown St, Jackson, 49203 |
| Motz Park Open Memorial Day – Labor Day Beach No lifeguards, swim at your own risk. FREE to play. 4630 N DeWitt Road, St. Johns, 48879 |
| Toan Park Splash Pad Open Memorial Day – Labor Day Splash Pad FREE to play. 117 W Bridge Street, Portland, MI 48875 |
| Bentley Park Splash Pad Open Memorial Day – Labor Day Splash Pad FREE to play. Corner of M52 and Stewart St, Owosso, 48867 |
Worth-the-Drive Water Parks, Splash Pads, Pools, from Lansing
Queue up your favorite playlist and head to these water destinations!
Our family travels a lot both for work and adventure. We’ve almost got trip-taking down to a science. I pack up food for the family in my small cold-pack bag, fill up our water bottles, check or stock my ready-to-go beach tote (baby powder included for getting off the sand), and grab a coffee on the way out for a dream day in the water.
If thinking about the drive home is stopping you from taking these day trips – don’t worry – in most cases driving home is a breeze.
After we’ve all had a great day in the sun and water, by the end of the trip my kids are so wonderfully exhausted that they either fall asleep, gaze out the window taking in the scenery, or continuing the bonding time with laughter and smiles.
Here is our list of epic splash pads, outdoor water parks, or pools worth-the-drive within an hour and a half radius around Lansing:
| GM Plaza – Renaissance Center Splash Pad Splash Pad + Carousel and Beach/Sandpit a short walk down the shore. Drive Time: 1 hour 29 min 200 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, 48243 |
| Kensington Metropark (Splash ‘n’ Blast) Beach open Memorial Day Weekend Water Park open mid-June Drive Time: 50 min East FREE to swim at the beach, $7 and under per person for the water park – Splash ‘n’ Blast. 4570 Huron River Pkwy, Milford, 48380 |
| Cherry Park Splash Pad Splash Pad and Playground Drive Time: 45 min West FREE to play Walking distance to East Grand Rapids coffee shops, ice cream shops, and more! 725 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, 49503 |
| Jump Island Brighton Water Park on a lake Drive Time: 45 min East $ Admissions and passes available. 6140 Bishop Lake Road Brighton, 48116 |
| Millennium Park Beach and Splash Pad Drive Time: 55 min West $2-$4 per person 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, 49534 |
| Independence Lake Park Beach & Water Park Drive Time: 55 min East Cost per person to enter – See the site for full details. 3200 Jennings Rd. Webster Township Whitmore Lake, 48189 |
| Mt. Elliot Park Splash Pad + Concessions. Drive Time: 1 hour 29 min East 110 Mt. Elliot Street Detroit, 48207 |
| Frederik Meijer Gardens Splash Pad and Wading Pool Drive Time: 45 min West $ Admissions to the gardens, see site for full details. 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 49525 |
| Flash Flood Water Park Water Park Drive Time: 45 min Southwest $ Admissions to the park, see site for full details. 35 Hamblin Avenue Battle Creek, 49017 |
| Maplewood Splash Pad and Playground Splash Pad and Playground Drive Time: 1 hour West $ Admissions to the park, see site for full details. 8000 12th Avenue, Jenison MI, 49428 |
| Wayne County Family Aquatic Center ($) Water Park Drive Time: 1h 29 min East $ Admissions to the park, see site for full details. 12600 Chandler Park Dr. Detroit, 48213 |
| Lamar Park Splash Pad Drive Time: 30-40 min West FREE to play 2561 Porter St, Wyoming, 49519 |
| Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center Water Park Drive Time: 46 min East $ Admissions to the park, see site for details 13000 High Ridge Drive Brighton, 48114-9058 |
| Sessions Lake State Park Beach Drive Time: 35 min Northwest FREE to Swim This is a small town area with lots of cute shops to visit while you’re there. 2880 West David Highway Ionia, 48846 |
| Trailhead Park Splash Pad Splash Pad Drive Time: 40 min Northwest Free Corner of Adams Street and Dexter Street (M-66), Ionia, MI 48846. |
And for even more fun, experience the outdoor water thrills and excitement at Michigan’s Adventure!
Michigan’s Adventure Lazy River
| Michigan’s Adventure Splash pad, pool, water park. Drive Time: 1 hr, 48 min Northwest Splash Pad, Pool, Water Slides, Lazy River *For ticket deals, click here. 4750 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445 |
Is there a favorite splash pad or water park we’ve forgotten? Comment below to let us know.
Thank you!!!