Splash Pads, Spray Pools, Mist Pads and Water Parks

The dog days of summer are upon us, and it’s time for those of us with littles to find some zero-depth water play! Enter the splash pad, an ideal way for non-swimmers to stay cool (and burn off some energy). Peruse this list to find a splash pad, spray pool, mist pad and/or water park near you!

Splash Pads/Spray Pools/Mist Pads

Richland County

Columbia:

Thirteen of Columbia’s city parks have splash pads or spray pools, all with free admission. Just be sure to call the rec department to make sure they’re turned on.

Most of the parks listed have spray pools/splash pads (the terms are often used interchangeably) which consist of a basic one-spigot. However, Drew Park has a bigger spray pool/splash pad with multiple water sprays. It’s our family’s favorite in Columbia … though my boys love ALL splash pads!

The city also operates an outdoor swimming pool and offers swim lessons and water Zumba classes; click here for information on locations and fees.

  • Drew Park – 2101 Walker Solomon Way, Columbia, 29204 (downtown, behind Drew Wellness Center) – largest splash pad/spray pool in the city with multiple water sprays for kids to enjoy!
  • Edisto Discovery Park – 1914 Wiley St., Columbia, 29205 (Rosewood, near City Roots) – features a concrete splash pad, outdoor basketball court, playground, and fossil dig area
  • Elmwood/Roy Lynch Park – 900 Abbeville St., Columbia, 29201 (beside Logan Elementary, downtown Columbia off Elmwood) – enclosed park with water spray, playground, swings, picnic shelters and concrete area with water spray for kids to enjoy
  • Emily Douglas Park – 2500 Wheat St., Columbia, 29205 (Shandon) – shady park with spray pool operated during summer months, playground areas and swings
  • Hampton Memorial Park – 117 Brandon Ave., Columbia, 29209 (near Dorn V.A. Hospital) – park includes a spray pool, pond, two Tennis Courts, youth Baseball Field and full size basketball court
  • Heathwood Park – 800 Abelia Road, Columbia, 29205 (Heathwood neighborhood, off Garners Ferry/Devine St. close to Beltline Blvd.) – features a spray pool operating in the summer months, playground equipment for children of all ages, swings, digging toys, climbing structures, sand digging toys, small spin-around ride-ones and springy seesaws.

splash pad 2

  • Lorick Park – 1600 Lorick Ave., Columbia, 29203 (near Columbia College) – includes a water spray, neighborhood center, basketball courts, a baseball diamond and picnic shelters
  • Mays Park – 4100 Trenholm Road, Columbia, 29206 (Kilborne Heights neighborhood, near intersection of North Beltline Boulevard and Trenholm Road) – park contains a spray pool, neighborhood center, a playground area with slides, climbing structures, swings, tennis court, baseball diamond and picnic shelter
  • Melrose Park – 1500 Fairview Road, Columbia, 29205 (Melrose Heights, near Trenholm Rd. and Gervais St.) – enclosed park with spray pool and playground equipment
  • Pacific Park – 200 Wayne St., Columbia, 29222 (Grandby Village, Olympia/USC) – well maintained park with spray pool, playground, neighborhood center, baseball diamond, and outdoor basketball court
  • Pinehurst Park – 2315 Pinehurst Rd., Columbia, 29204 (near Providence Hospital) – includes spray pool, playground area, baseball diamond and a community center
  • Sims Park – 3500 Duncan St., Columbia, 29205 (Shandon) – contains a spray pool, neighborhood center, play area, picnic shelter and basketball court.
  • St. Anna’s Park – 1315 Liberty Hill Ave., Columbia, 29204 (near Providence Hospital) – features a spray pool, playground and 2 outdoor basketball courts as well as a picnic shelter and large grassy field

Mist Pad:

  • Quinine Hill Park – North Beltline Boulevard and Forest Drive (behind Walgreen’s), Columbia, 29204. At this new “mist pad,” push the button on the back of the water fountain pole for a nice misting for a few minutes. Mist available upon demand, aka whenever you want to push it!

Lexington County

Lexington County has five splash pads, spray pools or mist fountains for your kids to enjoy! Some offer free admission (typically the spray pools and mist fountains) while the splash pads offer more activities and include a cost to participate.

  • Felton C. Benton Park Splash Pad – 2915 Platt Springs Rd., Springdale, 29170. Just a note if you have an especially little or shy one: This splash pad is a favorite with local daycares, so there may be older children there. FREE.
  • Corley Park – 210 Corley St., Lexington, 29072. Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. FREE. Includes spray pool and playground.
  • Willie B. Caractor Park – 804 Hendrix St., Lexington, 29072 (behind Lexington Medical Center). FREE. This park is not usually crowded. Includes mist fountain, playground, hopscotch court, rope climber and picnic shelter.
  • Saluda Shoals – 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia, 29212. Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. This is a large park maintained by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission, near the Lake Murray Dam. There is a $5 parking fee, which covers the entire park, and $3 fee per person for the splash pad itself. Large splash pad with lots of activities to keep kids entertained, and right beside a large playground.
  • NorthWest YMCA – 1501 Kennerly Rd., Irmo, 29063. Open Monday-Saturday: noon-5 p.m., Sunday: 1-5 p.m. Free to members and adults. Non-member children pay $5; check in at the front desk.

Water Parks

  • Palmetto Falls – 6511 Marion Ave., Columbia, 29207, 803-751-4056 (at Fort Jackson). Driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance is required to enter the gate. Open to the public every Tuesday-Friday (unless you hold a season pass). Military only days are Saturday and Sunday. $9.50 a person, children younger than 6th grade must have an adult present. Park includes a 10,000 sq. ft. family pool, two water slides, a600 sq. foot splashdown pool, a 2,500 sq. foot kiddy pool, a lazy river stretching 800 linear feet and a snack bar – talk about enjoyment!
  • Orangeburg YMCA – 2250 St. Matthews Rd., Orangeburg, SC 29118, 803-268-9622. Admission free with any of the six Midland’s Y memberships, or $8/guest/day (as listed on the Y’s website, though I’ve seen admissions to here on couponing sites sometimes). Includes a lazy river, multiple slides, pools, splash pad and much more!

water park

Interactive, free map with all aforementioned locations plotted