Summer Swimming: Outdoor Pools and Water Parks in Seattle, Tacoma and Beyond

When the weather heats up, my family is ready to swim! One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is a dip in a nice, cool pool. And when that pool is outside, it’s an even better opportunity to cool off while taking full advantage of our amazing (albeit brief) summers in the Northwest. 

I’ve rounded up the best outdoor pools in Seattle, the Eastside, Tacoma and beyond. So get ready to head out on a classic, cool summer activity that will keep kids (and parents) happy in the heat. 

Swimming pools in Seattle

Colman Pool, West Seattle

Open: Daily, June 16–Sept. 1, 2025; weekends only, Sept. 6–14, 2025

Water temp: 85 degrees

Overview: Overlooking the beach in lovely Lincoln Park in West Seattle, this Olympic-size saltwater pool features a diving board (closed Fridays) and 50-meter swim lanes. Pool toys like water noodles and mats are available. The corkscrew slide is only open on Fridays and during pool rental times. There is a cost to use the slide. Important note: There is no wading area for tots. 

Tips: Colman is a popular swim destination that sells out on hot days. Come early to purchase your swim admission. This pool requires admission for everyone entering, even if not swimming. A deep-water swim test is required for everyone younger than age 18. A modified swim test is allowed with a personal flotation device (life jacket). Note: Pool visitors need to make a short stroll through Lincoln Park to reach the pool.

Reservations: Sign up for swim lessons or book a party rental online. If you have questions, call 206-684-7494.

Mounger Pool, Magnolia

Open: Daily, June 23–Sept. 1, 2025

Water temp: 85 degrees (big pool); 88 degrees (little pool)  

Overview: Popular Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool is actually two pools: a larger, deeper pool with a 50-foot corkscrew tube slide, and a separate shallow pool for young kids. For tots: Check out Pool Playland, a “gentle” public swim that takes place in the small pool only (daily from 10:30–11:30 a.m., see the website schedule for additional times), and is for children ages 5 and younger. The pool also hosts a special swim time for children with sensory processing disorders, in the small pool on Fridays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. An adult age 18 or older must accompany all children in the water. 

Tips: This pool is also very popular and sells out on hot days, so come early. Mounger Pool has a fixed shade structure.

Reservations: Sign up for swim lessons online or book a party rental by calling 206-684-4708.

Yost Pool, Edmonds

Open: The year-round pool runs a summer schedule, June 23–Sept. 5, 2025

Water temp: 80–83 degrees

Overview: Set in one of Edmonds’ loveliest, shadiest parks, this popular pool is run by the Cascade Swim Club. In addition to swim lessons and swim team opportunities, Yost Pool hosts summer open swim Monday–Friday, from 1:15–3:15 p.m. and several sessions on the weekends. Note: There is no separate shallow area for toddlers.

Tips: Consider the individual or family punch passes if you want to spend multiple days by the pool. Yost Park is also worth exploring, with shady forest trails, a creek, a basketball court and a playground. 

Next up: Eastside outdoor swimming pools

Eastside outdoor pools

Peter Kirk Pool, Kirkland

Open: June 2–Sept. 1, 2025

Water temp: 86 degrees (outdoor pool and wading pool) 

Overview: Located in the heart of downtown Kirkland, this large, L-shaped pool features a deep area with a low diving board that bigger kids will enjoy. For tots: There is a separate wading pool for kids ages 6 and younger and their caregivers. See the schedule on the website for public swim times. 

Reservations: Register for swim lessons or reserve the pool online.

Henry Moses Aquatic Center, Renton

Open: June 28–Sept. 1, 2025 

Water temp: 84–86 degrees

Overview: Prepare yourself for lots of water excitement with the 26-feet-high orange-and-blue water slides, the lazy river, wave machine and island lagoon. Shark Bites Café offers beverages and snacks. Although the play structure has been removed for the season, it will be replaced with a brand-new one in 2026. For tots: There is zero-depth entry to toddler water area. Half Pint Splash ‘n’ Play sessions are just for kids ages 6 months to 5 years, with a caregiver.

Tips: Book online for one of two daily swim sessions: 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 3:30–6:30 p.m. Water toys are not allowed during leisure swim sessions. Call 425-430-6780 to check on pool closures.

Reservations: Reserve your swim time online now. Make sure to book in advance!

Next up: South Sound outdoor swimming pools

South Sound-area outdoor pools

Open: Daily, June 23–Sept. 1, 2025

Overview: This addition to Tacoma’s public outdoor pools features a gradual zero-depth entry, a 100-gallon tumble bucket (which fills up and then dumps when full) and Pierce County’s first wave pool, which simulates an ocean wave experience. Open swim is offered daily from 12:30–2:30 p.m. and 3–5 p.m. There is an additional open swim session from 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday evenings. For tots: Little ones will enjoy the separate shallow pool and the free sprayground that sits adjacent to (but outside the gates of) the main pool.

Tips: There are a limited number of tables and chairs, so get there early if you’d like a lounge chair, or bring your own. Visitors can likewise bring their own food and beverages but no glass containers (or alcohol) are allowed. Concessions are also available.

Reservations: Admission costs $8–$10 depending on age and selected session; tots ages 4 and younger enter free. Kandle Pool has multiple tents available to rent.

Edwards Family Aquatic Center, Fircrest

Open: May 24–Sept. 1, 2025

Overview: This pool is open to both residents and non-residents of the City of Fircrest. Swim lessons and swim team require online registration, but open swim sessions and lap swim times currently do not require reservations. Show up early for the popular open swim. The pool sometimes offers special events; check the city’s Facebook page for info and updates or call 253-564-8188.

Reservations: Open swim admission costs $5–$10; tots ages 5 and younger enter free.

Vashon Pool, Vashon Island

Open: The pool offers open swim times every day except Tuesdays.

Water temp: 82 degrees

Overview: This community pool offers drop-in open swim sessions during the summer season. A deep-water swim test is required for youth ages 14 and younger, and kids ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Tenino Quarry Pool, Tenino

Open: After being closed for several years, the Tenino Quarry Pool reopened last summer. Hours are Wednesday–Sunday, noon–6 p.m., July–August. Be sure to check the city’s Facebook page for updated info before heading out, as hours are subject to change. 

Overview: Against the stunning backdrop of an old sandstone quarry, this 80-foot-deep freshwater pool promises the ultimate deep-water experience. Strong swimmers can bounce off of two diving boards and swim to a waterfall that flows into the quarry. The downside of all that depth is that the water is cold. Plan this adventure for very hot days. For tots: Thanks to the recent renovation, you’ll find a splash pad, concrete pool deck and 2-feet-deep wading pool with clear, chlorinated water. Perfect for little ones who are not ready for the deep water.  

Tips: Kids and teens ages 17 and younger have to pass a swim test before entering the deep pool. Train-crazy kids will also enjoy visiting the old train depot next door (made of sandstone). It’s open on Fridays and Saturdays. There are also trails in the park. 

Next up: Water parks around the state

Water parks around Washington

Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, Federal Way

Open: Daily for summer through Aug. 31, 2025 (then weekends only until Nov. 2, 2025)

Water temp: Varies among the different attractions

Overview: Located just off Interstate 5 in Federal Way, the Puget Sound region’s biggest water park features water attractions for every level of ability and comfort, and our ultimate family guide to Wild Waves has all the tips and insights you’ll need for the perfect family adventure there. Check ride names and height/ability restrictions before you go to find out if this destination will suit your family. 

Tips: Weekdays are less crowded. It is recommended to bring your own stroller, as they don’t provide rentals and the park is 70 acres. Rent your own cabana 24 hours in advance (or more, since they tend to sell out on hot days). 

Reservations: Buy tickets online, in advance, for a bit of saving (though you can also buy tickets at the gate). 

Deals: It pays to purchase online, but do it before you are at the park because discount tickets are not available for purchase via mobile devices if you are within the park property. Other deals include group tickets and season passes. Season pass prices tend to increase as the season progresses, so buy early to save the most.

Slidewaters, Lake Chelan

Open: Now through Sept. 1, 2025

Water temp: 70–80 degrees, depending on the pool

Overview: If you’re headed to the Lake Chelan area for a summer getaway, don’t miss this fun, family-size water park that takes advantage of the natural topography for its slides (it’s built on the side of a hill). Rides and attractions range from the Bug-A-Boo slide and Aqua Zoo for toddlers to intermediate slides and the lazy river ride for older kids to the Thunder Rapids and enclosed pitch-black slide for the ultimate thrill-seekers. There’s even a 60-person hot tub. For tots: There is a zero-depth wading area and Aqua Zoo activity pool by the Lazy River.

Tips: Tuesdays tend to be a little slower than the rest of the week, and the best times to come are late June or the last week of August. Note: Any goggles or sunglasses must have a strap to be worn on slides. 

Reservations: Season passes are available for purchase online, or daily passes are available on location.

Birch Bay Waterslides, Birch Bay

Open: Daily, through Sept. 1, 2025

Water temp: Between 80–84 degrees

Overview: Located in Birch Bay, Washington, about two hours north of Seattle and near the Canadian border, this family-friendly water park is back open! It closed for the 2024 season to complete necessary structural repairs. 

The park features six slides, a 30-person hot tub (ages 7 or older), kiddie pool, activity pool, and volleyball and basketball courts. For snacks, there is a concession stand and treat carts. For tots: The kiddie pool, for ages 8 and younger, has three slides.

Tips: Outside food and drinks are not permitted (except sealed bottled water and infant formula). No coolers, alcohol or glass allowed.

Reservations: Cabanas are available for reservation online.

Surf ‘n Slide Waterpark, Moses Lake

Open: Now through Sept. 1, 2025

Water temp: 80 degrees

Overview: Located in Moses Lake, Washington, about three hours east of Seattle, Surf ‘n Slide is known as clean, affordable and toddler-friendly with zero-depth beach entry to the pool, a children’s splash pad with a variety of spray fountains, plus a Treasure Island water play structure and baby octopus slide. Kids and teens interested in more exciting water play will love the Flowrider (surfing simulator, one of only a few in the region), 200-foot slides and sand volleyball courts.

Tips: Use a season pass or punch card to to bypass the line and enter through the VIP entrance. The concession stand, operated by El Charro Express-o, offers a variety of Mexican food. A Hawaiian shaved ice stand is now a permanent fixture at the park! Outside food is allowed as well, but no glass containers, tobacco, alcohol or barbecue grills allowed.

Reservations: Punch cards can be purchased at the lobby. Season passes can be purchased online. 

Splash Zone, Ephrata

Open: June 8–Aug. 31, 2025

Water temp: 80 degrees

Overview: Located about three hours east of Seattle in Ephrata, Washington, Splash Zone features two diving boards, Frog Slide (tiny slide), Lily Pads (rope ladder across pool inner tubes), tube slide, water basketball hoops, dry playground and concessions stand. Covered picnic shelters can be rented at this park. For tots: Little ones can ease into the pool with the zero-depth entry section of the leisure pool; the tiny Frog Slide is a perfect beginner slide for young kids under 4 feet tall.

Tips: Since temperatures get into the 90s and 100s in Ephrata, bring lots of sunscreen and water, then seek shade under the giant umbrellas or nearby trees. Feel free to bring outside food and drink, but no glass containers or alcohol are allowed.

Reservations: Season passes and day passes available. 

Editor’s note: ParentMap staff contributed to this article, which was originally published several years ago and updated most recently with a thorough fact-check on July 2, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba.