Image of Elmwood/Roy Lynch Park from Facebook
There’s nothing more fun on a hot summer day than a splash pad for a way to stay cool and enjoy the outdoors – mostly for free! Here is a list of the best Columbia Metro Splash Pads!
Drew Park
Drew Park is one of the largest splash pad / spray pools in the Columbia Metro with multiple water sprays for kids to enjoy! Park also features a playground, gazebo, walking track, and L.E.D. lighted fountain. FREE
2101 Walker Solomon Way, Columbia
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 8pm
Sundays, Closed
Edisto Discovery Park
Edisto Discovery Park is a neighborhood park that features a concrete splash pad, a basketball court, community center, playground that includes a fossil dig area, and a quarter-mile walking/jogging trail. FREE
1914 Wiley St., Columbia
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 6pm
Saturdays & Sundays, Closed
Elmwood/Roy Lynch Park
Elmwood/Roy Lynch Park is an enclosed park that features a concrete checker-board style splash pad, two nature-themed playgrounds with one that includes a 60-foot long zipline, educational and music play set, swing set, picnic shelters, butterfly garden and walking paths that encircle the park. This park is also dog-friendly and has pet waste-bag stands within. Keep in mind that this Park has NO RESTROOMS. FREE
900 Abbeville St, Columbia
Hours:
Daily: 6am – 9pm
Emily Douglas Park
Emily Douglas Park enclosed neighborhood park offers a splash pad, 2 playground areas, swings, a large green space, community center, a fenced-in dog park and ample shade. FREE
2500 Wheat St., Columbia
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 6pm
Saturdays & Sundays, Closed
Heathwood Park
Heathwood Park is within the Heathwood Neighborhood and features a spray pool, playground equipment for children of all ages, swings, digging toys, jungle gym, climbing structures, seesaws. There is also a picnic shelter along with basketball, tennis courts and restrooms. FREE
800 Abelia Road, Columbia
Spray pool hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 6pm
Saturdays & Sundays, Closed
Hyatt Park
Hyatt Park offers a splash pad, playground, walking trails, grassy areas, picnic tables, sculpture garden and a boardwalk. FREE
950 Jackson Avenue, Columbia
Hours:
Daily: 7am – 9pm
Lorick Park
Lorick Park includes a splash pad, neighborhood center, basketball and baseball courts and picnic shelters. FREE
1600 Lorick Ave., Columbia
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 10am -2pm and 4pm – 6pm
Sundays, Closed
Mays Park
Mays Park offers ample shade and includes a playground, tennis courts, picnic tables and a water spray area. Upon request, the water spray area can be turned. To have water activated, you will need to contact the Park & Rec Department Monday – Friday between 8:30 am – 5 pm. You can schedule water activation for weekdays and/or weekend use. FREE
4100 Trenholm Road, Columbia
Hours:
Daily: 7am – 9pm
Melrose Park
Melrose Park enclosed shady landscaped park offers a spray pool, swings, picnic tables and playground equipment. FREE
1500 Fairview Road, Columbia
Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 6pm
Saturdays & Sundays, Closed
Pacific Park
Pacific Park features a splash pad, street parking, a basketball court, playground, and a baseball field. The splash pad will only be turned on by request. To have water activated, you will need to call the Park & Rec Department on weekdays between 8:30 am – 5 pm. You can schedule water activation for weekdays and/or weekend use. FREE
200 Wayne Street, Columbia
Hours:
Daily: 7am – 9pm
Palmetto Falls
Palmetto Falls park includes a 10,000 sq. ft. family pool, two water slides, a 600 sq. foot splashdown pool, a 2,500 sq. foot kiddy pool, a lazy river stretching 800 linear feet, and a snack bar. FREE
6511 Marion Ave., Columbia
Driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance are required to enter the gate.
Season passes: $75 for civilians or $17 for a daily entrance fee.
Season runs May 31 – July 30
Hours:
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 12pm – 5pm
Fridays & Saturdays, 11am – 6pm
Sundays, 12pm – 5pm
Pinehurst Park
Pinehurst Park includes spray pool, small playground area, baseball diamond, and a community center. FREE
2315 Pinehurst Rd., Columbia
Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 10am – 2pm and 4pm – 6pm
Sundays, Closed
Sesquicentennial State Park
Sesquicentennial State Park splash pad offers 2,800 square feet of water fun for kids with several different spraying features that include squirting and pulsing water. The park includes a playground, kayak rentals, walking trails, camping, and more. Just pick your adventure.
Entry is included with park admission. Admission to the park: $6 adults; $3.25 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50 children ages 6-15; ages 5 and under, free.
9564 Two Notch Rd., Columbia
Hours:
Daily: 8am to sunset
Sims Park
Sims Park offers a spray pool, large playground, basketball court, picnic area, neighborhood center and an ample amount of shade. FREE
3500 Duncan St., Columbia
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 6pm
Saturdays & Sundays, Closed
Anna's Park
Anna’s Park offers a splash pad, 2 outdoor basketball courts, playground, picnic tables, and a large grassy field for hours of fun. FREE
1315 Liberty Hill Ave., Columbia
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 6pm
Saturdays & Sundays, Closed
Waterfall Junction at Riverbanks Zoo
Waterfall Junction at Riverbanks Zoo in the heat of the summer this is a popular place to be! The splash pad has been upgraded with a soft, rubber surface. Within this 3-acre set-up, you will find playhouses, a treehouse, a large field with toys and games, a waterfall, and 2 splash pads.
Entry to Waterfall Junction is included with general park admission. Children ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and kids under 4 must be fully potty trained or wear proper swim diapers to use any water features. Water shoes are recommended for all ages. FREE
1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Corley Park
Corley Park includes a spray pool, a small playground, and restrooms. FREE
210 Corley St., Lexington
Daily: 11am – 8pm until Labor Day weekend
Felton C. Benton Park
Felton C. Benton Park with surrounding neighborhoods and the well-maintained equipment this park is popular among area children and daycares. This enclosed park is complete with a splash pad, jungle gyms, a merry-go-round, swings, a little library, a picnic area and basketball court. There is plenty of seating for parents as well as restrooms. FREE
2915 Platt Springs Rd., Springdale
Splash pad hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am – 1pm
Melvin Park
Melvin Park splash pad is a zero-depth water spray ground for children.
Wristbands are $4 per person or purchase a 15-visit Splash Pass for $55.
370 A Eptings Camp Rd., Chapin
Park Schedule:
Jun. 6 – Aug. 15
- Mondays – Friday, 10am – 1pm
- Saturdays, 10am – 6pm
- Sundays, 12pm – 5pm
Apr. 29 – Sept. 17
- Saturdays, 10am – 6pm
- Sundays, 12pm – 5pm
NorthWest YMCA
NorthWest YMCA has an outdoor splash pad and play equipment.
1501 Kennerly Rd., Irmo
2023 SEASON:
JUNE 3-AUGUST 12
2023 SPLASH PAD HOURS
Thursday & Friday, 10am – 5pm
Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Sunday, 1pm – 4pm
FEE:
Members – Free
NonMembers – $5
Please check-in at the front desk before visiting the water park.
Willie B. Caractor Park
Willie B. Caractor Park features a mist fountain, playground, hopscotch court, rope climber, and picnic shelter. FREE
804 Hendrix St., Lexington
Hours:
11am – 8pm through Labor Day
Saluda Shoals
Saluda Shoals has a large splash pad with a variety of water spraying options to keep your kids entertained, two playgrounds, hiking, biking or just exploring the Saluda River.
5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia
Cost: $5 parking fee plus $3/person wristband for the splash pad, or purchase a 15-visit splash pad pass for $40
Park Schedule:
June 2–August 14
- Monday – Friday, 9am – 2pm
- Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6pm
August 19–September 17
- Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6pm
September 4 (Labor Day)
- Monday, 10am – 6pm
