With temperatures climbing, let’s cool off with a list of the best splash pads of the West Valley! Splash pads are a fun way to let the kids be outdoors and enjoy water, without the sometimes added stress of swimming pools. Every major city in the West Valley has at least one splashpad. Here’s a quick list of our favorites! Click the park name to learn more about each location.
Camino A Lago (21111 N 98th Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382) – hours are seasonal from April 15 through October 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dust Devil Park (10645 W Camelback Rd, Glendale, AZ 85307)
Gateway Park (10100 E El Mirage Rd El Mirage, AZ) The splash pad area, open May – October, includes pop up jets as well as multi colored lights at night.
Festival Fields (101 E Lower Buckeye Rd, Avondale, AZ 85323)
Fountain Park at Westgate Entertainment District (6751 N Sunset Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85305)Open from 10am to 10pm daily. 24 randomly activated color columns shoot water in the air. The first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the summer months, the interactive fountain is closed for cleaning.
Friendship Park (12325 W. McDowell Rd. Avondale, AZ 85323) – one of our favorites, it’s gated too!
Glendale Hero’s Regional Park (83 W Bethany Home Rd Glendale, AZ 85303) – The park’s 81 acre park includes two playgrounds, volleyball courts, basketball courts, archery range, an X-Court, recreational building, large group ramadas, restrooms and a splash pad. Hours: May 25 – Aug. 11, open every day 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Aug. 17 – Sept. 2, open weekends only 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Splash Pads of the West Valley
Goodyear Community Park (3151 N Litchfield Goodyear, AZ) – Open from the third Monday in April, closing the third Monday in October, this pad features colorful water arches, water cannons and drop buckets.
Heritage Park (15073 W Sweetwater Ave Surprise, AZ)
Surprise Farms Park (17894 W Westpark Blvd, Surprise, AZ 85388)
Park West (9744 W Northern Ave, Peoria, AZ 85345) – This shopping center has a splash pad open from 10am to 8pm daily.
Pioneer Park (8755 N 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ 85345) – Water guns and bucket drop are open seasonally from April 15 through October 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Rio Vista (8866 W Thunderbird Rd, Peoria, AZ 85381)
Sunset Park (3020 W Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg, AZ 85390)
For more splash pad locations, check out our East Valley favorites, or our overall favs in the Phoenix area! You can also search “splash pad” on the blog for more in-depth reviews.
What to bring to a splashpad? Needed items can vary by age of child. Ours always include:
- swim suits with rashguard
- sunscreen
- hats
- buckets or small cups for play
- snacks
- lots of water to drink
- towels
- plastic or reusable bag for wet suits
Other possible needed items:
- water shoes (surfaces can be slippery)
- extra swim diapers for little ones
- change of clothes
- picnic lunch
- camping chair for parent (not all locations have enough seating)
- blanket for children to sit on
