Places to Get Wet Near Ann Arbor

One of my daughter’s favorite parts of summer is the water – whether it’s swimming, water slides, splash parks, or just getting wet. Check out these Ann Arbor area Pools, Water Parks, and Splash Pads. Fortunately, there are a number of Ann Arbor Swimming Pools and more for kids to get wet and cool off this summer.

All of the places to get wet on our list are open to the public without a membership, but may include an admission charge. Admission fees are noted where needed.

Outdoor Pools

Nothing says summer like a lazy day at the local pool. There are several outdoor pools in the Ann Arbor area including the three City of Ann Arbor pools.

The Best Ann Arbor Outdoor Pools to Visit in 2025

Summer and the outdoor swim season is almost over. Find the best Ann Arbor pools that you can visit today and all summer long. The only public pool open before Memorial Day is Fuller Park which opens for the 2025 season on May 11. With school now starting before Labor Day, pools are cutting their […]

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Water Parks

Take it a step beyond the pool and visit a local water park. Enjoy slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and more fun at various local water parks.

Splash the Day Away at an Ann Arbor Water Park

Your water-loving, adventure seeking kids will have a blast at these Ann Arbor Water Parks. These parks feature large water slides, spray playgrounds, lazy rivers, wave pools, and so much more. Outdoor Water Parks Outdoor water parks operate seasonally – typically Memorial Day to Labor Day. These are a great way to spend a summer […]

Lakes

Michigan is the Great Lakes state – so lakes are an obvious swimming choice. Sterling State Park in Monroe offers swimming on Lake Erie, or visit one of the many inland lakes near Ann Arbor. Check out our list of the Best Swimming Lakes near Ann Arbor.

Lake Swimming Unleashed: The Best Ann Arbor Beaches

Are you looking for swimming lakes near Ann Arbor? Check out these beaches in Ann Arbor area! Our list of lakes near Ann Arbor Michigan are all within an hour. The list of Ann Arbor lakes includes a Great Lake and a variety of inland lakes. Swimming Lakes at Michigan State Parks Near Me Michigan […]

Spray Scapes

A Splash Playground or spray scape is a great way for young kids to get wet. Rolling Hills has a splash playground as part of the water park. Blue Heron Bay is mostly a splash playground, but has a slide tower so we have it classified as a water park.

Milan opened a splash playground in late summer 2021 and there are several in Canton and Plymouth. Ann Arbor is exploring adding one to Bicentennial Park. We can’t wait!!

Wilson Park

Milan’s Wilson Park features a splash pad – definitely a unique feature that makes it worth a visit in the heat of the summer. The park also has two pavilions, a play structure, and a great play area for tots.

Plymouth Sprayscape at Township Park

Canton Heritage Park

Flodin Park

Free Parks for Splashing

Our Parks for Splashing article includes free admission parks that have creeks, rivers, or lakes. These parks offer splashing all year with no admission fees! Note 2021 has been a very wet year. River and creek levels are higher than normal and faster moving. Use caution.

Ann Arbor Parks for Splashing

While there are plenty of great pool options in and around Ann Arbor, warm temperatures can happen before they open for the summer or after they close. Fortunately, there are several parks and playgrounds that have creeks, rivers, or lakes that can be visited year round. This list includes only locations without a vehicle admission […]

Go Tubing!

Tubing is another great way to get wet. We love tubing the Argo Cascades. You will definitely get wet and it an be quite a workout to stay in the current. For a more relaxing tubing experience, you can tube from the bottom of the cascades to Island Park. Tubing to Delhi Metropark is another relaxing tubing experience. You can start from Dexter-Huron Metropark or we started from Zeeb Rd (there is a small lot where the river crosses Zeeb.

Unlock Adventures: The Secret to Tubing at Argo Cascades

For years I heard about the Argo Cascades for tubing or kayaking but I have to admit I didn’t even know where along the Huron River they were. In 2017, friends took us on our first trip and taught us their secrets to a fun outing. Since then we’ve returned many times. I’ve had other […]

Get Wet at Home!

Getting wet at home is always fun – and can be very inexpensive.

There is no end to the ways that kids can get wet at home. Some ideas are to break out the sprinkler, water guns, sponges, water balloons, kiddie pool, slip & slide, and so much more. When my daughter was a preschooler, I even filled her sled with water to give her a place to play with boats and splash a little. It was easier to fill and move than a kiddie pool since it doesn’t hold as much water and is designed to slide.

Or go big and invest in an inflatable water park.

Indoor Pools

Check out our Indoor Pool Guide for indoor swim options. Indoor Pools include Mack Pool, Goldfish Swim School, Meri Lou Murray Rec Center, and Saline Rec Center.

It also includes indoor water parks like Splash Universe and Splash Village.It does not include pools that are only accessible to those with memberships..

Swim Year Round at These Indoor Pools Near Ann Arbor

My daughter has always loved swimming – no wonder she is on her high school team. When she was younger, I found that swimming periodically would help her maintain her swimming skills. Now that her high school season is over, she is looking for where she can go to practice until next year. Fortunately there are […]

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