Looking for swimming spots, holes and splash pads in Northwest Arkansas? Summer is here and finding a great place to swim is important and being in or near the water is something everyone wants to do. But where to go? Below are the top swimming spots throughout Northwest Arkansas that include public swimming pools, lakes and rivers to help cool you down.
Another option is to choose a hotel with a pool, check in for the night for a “staycation” and swim in the hotel pool as much as you like. Regardless of where you go, please be safe and follow all rules and regulations when in or near water.
The general dates for open and closing of splash pads, water parks and pools in Northwest Arkansas is Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Below are the top swimming spots throughout Northwest Arkansas
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How about having your own private pool with rates starting at $25.00 an hour?
You can! Swimply is a new concept, offering an online marketplace for renting a private swimming pool. Home owners with a swimming pool offer their pool to individuals or groups to enjoy. The pools are rented out by the hour. There are pools available in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Pea Ridge and Springdale You can find out more and make reservations here.
BENTONVILLE
Bentonville Community Center
1101 S.W. Citizens Circle
(479) 696-0200
Bentonville’s aquatics facilities are open to everyone, residents and visitors alike although the fees are a little higher for non-residents.
Bentonville Community Center has an indoor 25 yd. competitive pool, and an indoor zero-depth entry, family leisure pool with a slide and other aquatics play equipment. Daily rates are $7 for residents and $10 for non residents. There is also a monthly membership and yearly membership. Lockers and locks are provided free of charge with ID (either a membership card or some other form of ID). Bring your own towel unless you are visiting the fitness center.
Melvin Ford Aquatic Center
2000 Memorial Park Square
(479) 273-9206
This outdoor facility is for people of all ages and swimming abilities. There is a 1-foot deep wading pool with a raindrop fountain, and a competitive pool from 3 to 8 ft. deep, and a 13 ft. diving well featuring two 1 meter spring diving boards and a 12 ft. high water slide.
ADMISSION
Daily Fees are 3.00 per day for adults 18 and older and 2.00 per day for youth 4 – 17 and 3 and under is FREE. Note: admission is included in a Bentonville Community Center membership.
HOURS
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Monday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 5:30 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday: 5:30 am – 7:00 pm
Friday: 5:30 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Creekside Park
3104 SW Bright Road
Creekside Park is a destination park and is home to a splash pad with slides along with lots of seating for parents or grandparents! Creekside also offers a pavilion, bathrooms, shaded areas, paved bike trail, pickleball courts, dog park and two different play areas for kids of different ages.
The Fountains at Lawrence Park – Splash Park
NE Blake St
(479) 464-7275
Located at the corner of NE “A” St. and Blake St. next to the 21c Hotel, the Lawrence Plaza Splash park is a multi-purpose, interactive water park for people of all ages. Open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. except on First Friday’s.
It features more than 80 fun water jets, has seating around the park for parents and grandparents, and has top-notch food trucks nearby for your enjoyment.
There is suppose to be an attendant on duty Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day. The Splash Park is Free of charge.
Bella Vista
(You must be a member or guest of the BV POA to use the pools)
BranchWood Recreation Center
222 Glasgow Road
(479) 855-8181
Located on Bella Vista village’s west side, the indoor heated pool is a 15-meter pool running from 3 ft. deep at the shallow end to 5 ft. at the deep end. Activities include water walking, lap swimming, open swimming for children and families and water aerobic classes are also available. The pool may be rented for private swim parties. Fees are minimal and vary according to age and membership status.
Kingsdale Swimming Pool
2 Riordan Rd
(479) 273-9206
Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily beginning the Friday before Memorial Day and closing the Sunday after Labor Day. There are 3 pools consisting of a 23-meter swimming pool for swimming lessons and general swimming for kids and adults, a 17-meter adult pool, and a 10-meter wading pool for young children. Fees are minimal whether a POA member or a non-member. Monthly and seasonal passes are available as are pool parties.
Metfield Swimming Pool
Hilltop Dr,
(479) 855-8164
Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., this is a 23-meter outdoor multi-use swimming pool, ranging in depth from 3 ft. to 5 ft. Pool features a slide. There is also a 9 meter wading pool with zero depth entry, ranging in depth from 1 ft. to 2 ft. Fees are the same as the Kingsdale swimming facility. You may also reserve this facility for parties.
FAYETTEVILLE
The Fayetteville Athletic Club
2920 E Zion Rd
(479) 587-0500
This facility is primarily for members only. Typically non-members, for a fee, can register for swimming lessons from Diaper to Dolphins to adults and every age group in between.
The Club features two swimming pools. One is a six-lane lap pool for lap swimming, swim team practice, swim conditioning, swim lessons, stroke clinics and water fitness classes. The 2nd pool is family leisure pool that has a fun fountain and two water slides. There is also a poolside cafe. Pool party rental is available.
Mount Sequoyah Retreat & Conference Center
150 N Skyline Drive
(479) 443-4531
Open daily from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight except for swim events. Monthly memberships are available. This outdoor facility is located above downtown Fayetteville and within a couple miles of Fayetteville’s shopping and restaurants. The Marlins are the swim team, and swim meets are held at this facility.
Summerhill Racquet Club (Indoor Pool)
3480 N Summerhill Dr
(479) 521-8241
Outdoor pool facility is great for family swimming, lap swimming and pool parties. You must be a member to use pool with one exception, you may take swimming lessons without being a member. Contact Elise Meyer at the Summerhill Racquet Club for more information about swimming lessons. Summer membership plans are available, contact club for pricing.
Wilson Park Pool & Splash Pad
10 W 15th St
(479) 442-2641
Offering recreational swimming, swimming lessons, and family leisure swimming, this is Fayetteville’s only public pool. It is operated by Fayetteville Parks and Recreation and everyone is welcome to use this beautifully landscaped aquatic facility. Admission is $4 for adults 15 and up and $3 for those under 15. The 50-meter by 20-meter pool is open from early June through mid August. It runs from 3 ft. at the shallow end to 9 ft. at the deep end where there are two diving boards. About midway, there are also two water slides. The separate kiddie pool runs about 1-ft. deep.
ADMISSION
Daily admission is $3 for swimmers under 15 and $4 for ages 15 and up. You can get a season pass for $75 or a family pass for $135. The splash pad is Free and open 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
HOURS
Open swim: 1-4:30pm Monday-Friday and 1-6pm weekends.
Family swim: 6-8pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Adult lap swim: 11am-1pm Monday-Friday and noon-1pm Saturday.
GRAVETTE
Gravette Pool and Splash Park
401 Dallas Street SE
This awesome park features a large pool with diving board and twisty slide. It also includes a 3,000 square foot splash park with slides, water spouts, splash buckets, and water sprays. There are three large pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis or for reservation. They have different hours for different days. Check here for more info.
PEA RIDGE
Pea Ridge Splash Pad
2344 Hayden Rd
(479) 451-1122
The Pea Ridge Splash Pad is free and open to the public 8:00 am – 10:00 pm and is located at the Pea Ridge City Park.
PRAIRIE GROVE
Prairie Grove Aquatic Park
311 W Butler St
(479) 846-4421
Outdoor facility that offers swim lessons to all ages, gives participants a certificate after completion of class, offers pool parties, and has reasonable daily rates of $5 per day age 6 and up and $3 per day for age 5 and under and seniors (60+). After 5 p.m., adults get in for $2 and seniors and children get in for $2. Season passes are also available. Here is more information.
ROGERS
Rogers Aquatic Center
1707 S 26th St
(479) 936-5482
This is a beautiful, innovative 3-acre water park filled with fun opportunities for the entire family. Tower slides, competition pool, lazy river, diving board, leisure pool, shallow play pools, pavilions – you name it, this unique water park has it.
Rogers Aquatic Center – Image courtesy Arkansas Tourism
ADMISSION:
Based on height and ranges from $5 to $15; under 36″/3ft is FREE
Season passes are $65-$99; river walking and lap-swimming passes are $25
HOURS:
Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 11:00 am 0 7:00 pm
Sunday – 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Water Stop at Railyard Park
201 S. First Street
(479) 631-3350
This unique fun park located in downtown Rogers, features a Water Stop splash pad, Play Yard for the kids, picnic tables, benches, shade structures. The park also includes Butterfield Stage, that will be programmed with music and events throughout the year. Click here for more info:
SPRINGDALE
Jones Center For Families (Indoor Pool)
922 E Emma Ave
(479) 756-8090
This indoor pool facility is open to all. It has a leisure pool with a wrap-around slide, and a Junior Olympic size lap pool. The facility is used for swim meets, swim lessons, swimming parties and water aerobics. Additionally, there is an outdoor patio deck with tables. Click here for more detail
Springdale Aquatic Center
1100 Watson Avenue,
479-750-SWIM
The Springdale Aquatic Center is open to all. It has a total of 4 pools, a wading pool, a shallow pool, an Olympic sized pool, and a 3 ft. leisure pool. There are 4 slides in the facility and 2 diving boards. Pavilion and private party rentals are available. Swim lessons are available throughout the summer.
ADMISSION:
$4 for ages 5 and up; $3 for kids 1-4. You can get yearly passes good for 25 visits are $80
HOURS
Daily: 12:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Springdale Aquatic Center Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism
Springdale has three splash pads. They are open 9:00 am – until dark. In addition, the Springdale Parks and Recreation is bringing back splash pad movies. Free admission and movies begin at dark at all three splash pads in Springdale:
C.L. “Charlie” and Willie George Park
4023 Hylton Rd
(479) 750-8185
Randall Tyson Recreational Complex
4303 Watkins Ave
(479) 751-7275
Shaw Family Park
7341 W Downum Rd
(479) 750-8185
SILOAM SPRINGS
Siloam Springs Family Aquatic
1600 N Mt Olive St
(479) 524-2936
This facility is open to all, and has 3 pool areas. The main pool is zero depth to 6 feet with 6 lanes and a 12 ft. diving well. The 2nd pool is a catch pool, and the base for 2 enormous slides. The 3rd pool is the baby pool and features a mushroom in the center with a water sprinkler coming out. Admission is $5 for most and $4 for kids 3 and under. Memberships and swim lessons are available, and so are large pool parties.
ADMISSION:
Memberships are $77-$90, and family passes are $167 for those who live in the Siloam Springs school district. For those outside the district, it’s $204 for a family pass and $111-$124 for memberships. Click here for more info.
HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Siloam Springs Kayak Park
19253 Fisher Ford Rd
(479) 524-5779
The Kayak Park is free admission and open 5:30 am – 11:00 pm. This family-friendly park features a section of the river which provides fun for skilled kayakers and beginners alike. Entry fee is $10.00 per car on weekends (Fri-Sun) and holidays from May through August, but it’s free Monday through Thursday year-round.
The park also has riverbank access so families can enjoy the beautiful waters of the Illinois River. In addition, there is a climbing boulder, family swimming hole with riverside seating, picnic tables, paved parking lot, port-o-potties and a designated changing area.
Rental kayaks are not available at this time. Kayaks, canoes and even tubes are acceptable at the park, however, ALL users are strongly encouraged to wear life jackets. No lifeguards are on duty, therefore all users need to use safety precautions.
Users must bring their own life jackets as they are not provided by the park. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission can issue citations for boaters and tubers not using life jackets. Alcohol is prohibited at the Park. You can find out more information here.
Siloam Springs Kayak Park- Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism
Click Here for a link to swimming holes throughout Arkansas.
Waterslide
Beebe’s Roaring River Waterslide
23626 State Hwy 112, Cassville, MO 65625
(417) 342-4399
Located in Cassville Missouri (about 40 minutes from Bella Vista), Beebe’s Roaring River Waterslide offer a 300 ft waterslide! Admission is $10 per person per hour. They offer cold treats and snacks at the cafe walk up window! Any age can slide. Closed on Tuesdays. Cash only.
LAKES with a beach area specifically for swimming
Beaver Lake
Lake Leatherwood
Lake Wedington
Riverside Park in Westfork
Shores Lake
Spring Lake
Table Rock Lake
Beaver Lake ~ Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism
RIVERS
Buffalo River – Ponca, Arkansas
Elk River — Noel, Missouri
Illinois River – Siloam Springs,
Kings River – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
White River – West Fork, Arkansas
Buffalo River – Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism
SWIMMING HOLES
Beaver Lake – Multiple recreation areas with designated swimming areas. The lake is located in Rogers, Eureka Springs, Springdale, Garfield
Big Sugar Creek State Park – Jane, Missouri
Blanchard Springs Caverns – Fifty-Six, AR
Blue Hole– Bella Vista, AR
Buffalo River – Ponca, AR
Elk River – Noel, Missouri
Hawgscald Hollow – Near Eureka Springs, AR
Indian Creek – Anderson, Missouri
Kings River – Eureka Springs, AR
Lake Leatherwood – Eureka Springs
Roaring River State Park – Cassville, Missouri
Table Rock Lake – Branson, Missouri
Tanyard Creek – Bella Vista
White River – West Fork