Header image photography by Adler Grey Videography

When the temperatures heat up this summer in Wichita, there are plenty of options for keeping cool. Whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor water adventures, use this list of Wichita water and splash parks, swimming pools and spray-grounds as your guide for where to cool off.

A man surfs on a surfing simulator at Blast Off Bay Water ParkImage photography by Adler Grey Videography

Water Parks

Blast Off Bay

Surfing in Kansas? You bet! At Blast Off Bay – a newly opened indoor water park just west of Wichita in Goddard – you can not only swim and interact with a variety of water features, but you can also go surfing thanks to the park’s dual surf machine, which allows two people to surf at once. You can enjoy a lazy river, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a swimming area and 11 slides, including a couple that exit and re-enter the building. There is also a splash zone, an area for toddlers, an arcade, a restaurant and rooms for private parties.

Park hours for this year-round attraction are noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. To reserve a day to visit, it is recommended to purchase tickets online.

A young boy makes a face at the camera while he shoots out of a water slide at Rock River Rapids

Rock River Rapids
Rock River Rapids is a full-service water park just south of Wichita in Derby that features six water slides, a lap pool as well as an area with diving boards, a 600-foot lazy river, a zero-depth pool, play structures, aqua climbing walls and a treehouse-themed spray-ground. One of the park’s slides is for riders 42” and over. All other slides require riders be at least 48" tall. 

Regular hours for summer 2023 are daily from 12:30 to 7 p.m. through Aug. 14. Additionally, the park features special programming such as Tot Time for kids 5 years old and younger and movie nights.

Splash Aqua Park in Wichita

Splash Aqua Park
Splash Aqua Park is a high-energy, unique way to cool off in Wichita. This fun water park experience brings a series of inflatable slides, runways, jumping pillows, trampolines, bouncers, swings, jumps, ladders and even stand-up paddleboards to a 27-acre lake.

The park is open daily throughout most of the summer from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Aug. 13 through Labor Day, it's open weekends only. One-hour sessions, weather depending, start at $15/hour. All guests must be at least 5 years old, sign a waiver and go through a safety course before entering the park. Guests are encouraged to complete ticket purchases and waivers online and may bring in their own personal Coast Guard Approved life vest.

South YMCA Water Park

YMCA of Greater Wichita

Four locations of the YMCA of Greater Wichita (Andover, North, Northwest and South) have outdoor water parks offering group fitness classes, open swim and play in the pool.

Each water park is different and can include slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, spray grounds, body slides, climbing walls and more. The YMCA is membership based; if you’re visiting from out of town, you can purchase a day pass for $10 per person. Guest passes may be purchased in person or online for all locations except Andover; guest passes for this location can only be purchased online. The water parks are open through Labor Day weekend and may be closed due to weather or when temperatures are below 80 degrees.

Tanganyika Falls Splash Park at Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Splash Parks and Fountains

Tanganyika Splash Park
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is known for immersive experiences that deepen your connection to rare and endangered animals, but this unique park also features a modern, 5,000 square foot splash park – complete with animal-themed aquatic features including three slides, water buckets, climbing structures, waterfalls, a giant spraying giraffe and other animal-themed sprayers.

For those looking to stay dry, there are areas for lounging in the shade, yard games like cornhole and the Thirsty Sloth Bar, serving adult beverages from beer on tap to margaritas. Restrooms, changing rooms and showers are also on site. The splash park is located within the wildlife park so you can visit the park’s animals and then cool off before heading home.

Access to the water park is included in admission, but season pass holders and non-season pass holders are encouraged to purchase tickets online to expedite the admission process. Cabanalows, semi-private spaces available for get-togethers, are also available and can also be booked online. The splash park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sept. 4. Starting Sept. 5, you can enjoy the splash park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 30. Kids under 6 years of age can enter the park at 9:30 a.m. on the days it is open.

A young girl hands on equipment at the playground near the splash pad at Boston Park in Wichita

Splash Pads and Fountains

Wichita has 10-plus interactive fountains that are open to the public (no pets) and do not charge an admission fee. In addition to spray features, slides, climbing walls and more, there are shaded areas and gathering spots as well.

The city’s water playgrounds opened for the 2023 season in May and will remain open through October, weather depending.

  • Boston, 6700 E. Boston
  • Buffalo Park, 10201 Hardtner
  • Edgemoor, 5813 E. 9th St. N.
  • Evergreen, 2700 N. Woodland
  • Fairmount Park, 1647 N. Yale
  • Lincoln, 1323 S. Topeka
  • Linwood South, 1901 S. Kansas (temporarily closed)
  • Oaklawn Community Center Park, 2937 E. Oaklawn Drive
  • Old Town Plaza, 301 N. Mead
  • Osage Park, 2121 W. 31st St. S.
  • Riverside Central Park, 720 Nims (temporarily closed)
  • W.B. Harrison Park, 1300 S. Webb

There are additional splash pads at New Market Square Plaza (at 21st St North & Maize Road), Old Town Square at 334 N. Mead and at various surrounding area parks.

Community members swim in the waters of Harvest Park Pool

Pools and Other Options

Pools
Wichita has six public pools throughout the city, which have all undergone recent renovations. Wichita pools opened for the 2023 season in May and will close mid-August. Admission is $3 per person and $15 for a family rate (6 people; one must be an adult).

  • Aley, 1800 S. Seneca
  • College Hill, 304 S. Circle Drive
  • Harvest, 9500 W. Provincial
  • McAfee, 8300 E. 15th St.
  • Minisa, 1350 N. Jeanette
  • Orchard, 1062 N. Clara

Another option for cooling off – minus the water – is to visit Strataca in nearby Hutchinson, Kansas. This unique attraction takes visitors 650 feet underground within a working salt mine. Plus, you can find lots of other attractions and indoor activities throughout Wichita, where it’s nice and cool inside.