Best Charlotte Splash Pads & Indoor Waterparks for Kids and Families (2025 Guide)

Best Charlotte Splash Pads and Indoor Waterparks for Year-Round Family Fun

Looking to beat the heat or enjoy water play no matter the season? Charlotte, NC is home to a wide range of splash pads and indoor waterparks perfect for kids, families, and anyone who loves to make a splash. Whether you're planning a summer adventure or a rainy day escape, this guide covers the best Charlotte splash pads, indoor waterparks, and family-friendly water attractions in the Queen City.

🏊 Year-Round Indoor Waterparks in Charlotte

Indoor water fun is a lifesaver during colder months or rainy days. These indoor waterparks in Charlotte offer slides, pools, and interactive water features no matter the weather.

Ray’s Splash Planet 

📍 215 N Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC
🕒 Open multiple days per week (see full schedule)
This family-favorite indoor waterpark features a lazy river, slides, fountains, and water playgrounds. Affordable and centrally located, Ray’s Splash Planet is ideal for spontaneous swim days and birthday parties. Video tour

Great Wolf Lodge – Concord

📍 Concord, NC (just outside Charlotte)
💲 Pricey, but offers day passes
This massive indoor waterpark is a resort destination with slides, wave pools, and themed water activities. It’s a splurge, but great for a full-day adventure. Video tour

Eastway and North Mecklenburg Recreation Centers

🧒 Ideal for young children with zero-entry pools and small slides
Both centers offer indoor water features and are popular for toddler-friendly splash fun.

💧 Charlotte Splash Pads (Seasonal)

When the summer sun is blazing, Charlotte’s free and low-cost splash pads offer the perfect way to cool down. Many parks open around late May and stay open through Labor Day.

Top Splash Pads & Outdoor Pools in Charlotte (Opening May 24th unless noted):

Cordelia Park – 600 E 24th St
💧 Waterslide, partially shaded splash pad, outdoor pool. Entry fee is $2pp.
🍴 Birthday Party Room: The Cordelia Park Indoor Pavilion has a nice view of the Charlotte skyline and overlooks Cordelia Pool and sprayground. Details here
🎥

Latta Park – 625 E Kingston Ave
💧 Unfenced splash pad and shaded park area, combined with a Hornets-themed basketball court.
🍴 Nearby: Yafo on East Blvd
🎥

Romare Bearden Park – 300 S Church St — Street parking available via ParkMobile
💧 Interactive waterfall (not a true splash pad)
🍴 Nearby: Rhino Market, Two Scoops Creamery in the Alley at Latta Arcade
🎥 Video Tour

First Ward Park – 301 E 7th St— Street parking available via ParkMobile 
💧 Splash pad & open lawn space
🍴 Nearby: Geno's Pizza at the Market at 7th Street
🎥 Video Tour

Veterans Park – 2136 Central Ave
💧 Shaded splash pad (not fenced) & Nature playground
🍴 Nearby: Pack lunch - nearby coffee is Milkbread 
🎥 Video Tour

Clarks Creek Park – 5435 Hucks Rd
💧 Splash pad (not fenced or shaded) & nature-friendly park
🍴 Nearby: Pack lunch - nearby coffee at the Grounds Bookstore & Cafe at Mecklenburg Community Church about a 5 minute drive
🎥 Video Tour

Nevin Park – 6100 Statesville Rd
💧 Covered splash pad & nearby (by car) ADA-accessible playground
🍴 Nearby: Pack lunch - nearby food includes Cook Out and Pelican Snowballs
🎥 Video Tour

Carowinds Waterpark – 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
💧 Huge water park: slides, Surf Club Harbor wave pool, & Seaside Splashworks with 80+ play features
🍴 Nearby: On-site dining & concessions
🎢 Bonus: Adrenaline rides + tipping bucket fun
🎥 Video Tour

The Green Fish Fountain – 454 S College St— Paid parking available at the Green at 435 South Tryon Street
💧 Interactive fountain fun (seasonal)
📅 Opens Memorial Day
🍴 Nearby: Milkbread (weekday), Que Fresa Tacos (lunch & dinner) 
🎥 Video Tour 

Pineville Lake Park – Opens May 3rd
💧 Splash pad & lakeside park trails
🍴 Nearby: Waterbean Coffee and Carolina Scoops 
🎥 Video Tour 

🍔 Splash Pads Near Restaurants & Shopping

Why not pair water play with a great meal or shopping trip? These splash pads are connected to dining and retail centers, making them convenient for day trips. Video Tour

Waverly Shopping Center Splash Park

📍 Providence Rd & Ardrey Kell Rd – Opens May 26
🍴 Nearby: Ted’s Montana Grill, CO, Haagen-Dazs

Blakeney Shopping Center Splash Pad

📍 9870 Rea Rd – Opens June 1
🍴 Nearby: Shake Shack, Starbucks, Five Guys

Birkdale Village (Huntersville)

💦 Fountain play – not a true splash pad, but fun for kids
🍴 Nearby: Cava, Brown Bag Seafood, Starbucks

Seoul Food NoDa Splash Pad

💧 Small splash area and playground - only for paying Seoul Food customers 
🍴 Nearby: Urban District Market, Seoul Food Meat Co.

🌳 Worth-the-Trip Splash Pads & Beaches

Looking to venture beyond Charlotte? These spots are worth the short drive:

Ebenezer Park –  4490 Boatshore Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732
💧 Sandy beach and swim area on Lake Wylie, open year-round for swimming (no lifeguard on duty). Features a boardwalk with swings, lounge chairs, and a playground best for ages 5–12 with rubber ground cover and ADA-accessible elements (no ADA swing). Amenities include a boat ramp, A/C bathrooms with showers, beach volleyball, tennis courts, and on-site camping.
🎟️ Entry:
York Residents – $3 adults / $1 kids (6–16)
Non-Residents – $6 adults / $4 kids
Kids 5 & under are free
📅 Open Year-Round
🍴 Nearby: Empire Pizza Rock Hill & Starbucks 
🎥 Video Tour

Ramsey Creek Park – 18441 Nantz Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031  (Cornelius)
💧 Beach and swim area on Lake Norman. Nearby playground is open year-round, but not shaded. The beach opens Saturday, May 24 at 12:00 PM and will also be open on Memorial Day, May 26. It will operate on weekends only through June 12. From June 13 to August 22, the beach will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Starting August 23, it returns to weekends only and will close for the season on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, at 6:00 PM. Fee applies. Details here
📅 Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend
🍴 Nearby: Waterbean Coffee
🎥 Video Tour

Lily Pad at North Mecklenburg Park– 16131 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
💧 The fully fenced splash pad, located just outside the wooded area, offers partial shade. It’s part of a combined play space that includes a playground equipped with an autism communication board to support inclusive play
📅 Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, from May 14 through mid-September.
🍴 Nearby: Slice House Pizza is about a 5 minute drive
🎥 Video Tour

Stallings Municipal Park  – 340 Stallings Rd, Stallings, NC 28104 (Stallings)
💧 The park features two fenced-in toddler playgrounds, two large playgrounds, and one ADA-accessible playground. It also includes a paved walking trail and a splash pad (currently under repair, with a reopening goal of June 7th).
🍴 Nearby: Pack lunch 
🎥 Video Tour

Harrisburg Park – 191 Sims Pkwy, Harrisburg, NC 28075 (Harrisburg)
💧 The fully fenced splash pad, located just outside the wooded area, offers partial shade. It’s part of a combined play space that includes a playground equipped with an autism communication board to support inclusive play
📅 The Splash Pad is tentatively set to open Saturday, May 24. The anticipated first week of operation, May 24-May 30, will be walk-up entry only (no pre-registration) Admission is free for Harrisburg residents and $3 for non-residents. Details Here
🍴 Nearby: Slice House Pizza is about a 5 minute drive
🎥 Video Tour 

Village Park – 700 W C St, Kannapolis, NC 28081 (Kannapolis)
💧 Large fenced in splash pad with water cannons, dumping buckets, carousel, train and playground nearby
📅 Saturday, May 24 through Monday, September 1. Small admission fee for splash pad, train & carousel. Details here. 
🍴 Nearby: On-site concessions 
🎥 Video Tour

New Centre Park  – 501 Memorial Dr, Clover, SC 29710 (York County)
💧 Nonfenced & nonshaded Splash pad + playground and open green space
📅 Soft opening May 5
🍴 Nearby: Pack a lunch - Carolina Chocolate Company for ice cream and shakes 
🎥 Video Tour

Hope Park - 106 Montibello Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117 (Mooresville)
💧 The park features a non-reservable picnic shelter, dedicated play spaces for both little and big kids, restrooms, a splash pad, and traditional swings. & communication board. 
🍴 Nearby: Alino Pizzeria
🎥Video Tour & Photos Here

Liberty Park - 255 E Iredell Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115 (Mooresville)
💧 Refreshed fenced park space with splash pad (uncovered and unfenced) and amphitheater
🍴 Nearby: Mooresville Ice Cream Co. 
🎥Video Tour & Map Here

🧴 Tips for Visiting Splash Pads in Charlotte

• Bring sunscreen – Many splash pads have limited shade

• Water shoes – Surfaces can be slippery or hot. Our favorites are here linked here.

• Towels and dry clothes – Especially if combining with shopping or dining

• Double-check hours – Some parks and pads have varying schedules

Conclusion: Soak Up the Fun in Charlotte!

Whether you want to float indoors at Ray’s Splash Planet, explore a neighborhood splash pad, or make a day trip to Ramsey Creek Park, Charlotte has no shortage of ways to splash and play. Bookmark this list and get ready for a summer full of cool memories!