Make A Splash This Summer
Going to the pool or beach in the summer is a classic way to beat the heat and have fun in the sun. Whether you're diving into cool, refreshing water or relaxing on a towel with the sound of waves in the background, it's a great way to unwind. Kids splash and laugh, adults soak up the sun or enjoy a good book, and everyone gets a chance to enjoy the carefree vibe of summer.
PUBLIC POOLS:
Bauman Aquatic Center, 2400 Park Lawn Pl., Middleton
This public pool is owned & operated by the City of Middleton, offers zero-depth entrance, several water play features, sand playground & water slides.
Blue Mound State Park, 4350 Mounds Park Rd., Blue Mounds
This public pool is located in Blue Mound State Park (sticker required), the pool depth ranges from 3-4ft. and offers a splash pad.
Dolphins Cove at the Prairie Athletic Center, 1010 N. Bird St., Sun Prairie
This pool is called “Dolphin’s Cove” and although it is a private outdoor water park at Prairie Athletic Club, including water slides, a lazy river, a zero-depth family pool, and many interactive water features, guest passes are available to the public for purchase.
Goodman Aquatic Center, 7762 County Rd. PD, Verona
This public pool offers zero-depth entrance, and shallow water kids’ play.
Goodman Pool, 325 Olin Ave., Madison
This public pool is owned & operated by the City of Madison, offers zero-depth entrance, fountains & other shallow water play; water slides, a separate diving pool, and concessions.
Monona Community Pool, 1013 Nichols Rd., Monona
This public pool is located at Winnequah Park and the Monona Public Library, and includes a separate toddler pool.
Mount Horeb Aquatic Center, 204 Park St., Mount Horeb
This public pool is located at Boek’s Park, includes a baby pool with zero-depth entrance and a wet sand play area.
Sun Prairie Aquatic Center, 920 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie
This public pool is located close to the library, offers zero-depth entrance, kids slides, water play features, a playground, and wet sand.
PUBLIC SPLASH PADS AND PARKS:
Blue Mound Splash Pad, 4350 Mounds Park Rd., Blue Mounds
Blue Mounds Splash pad is the first (themed) splashpad facility in a Wisconsin state park.
Centennial Park Playscape, 901 South Holiday Dr., Waunakee
This new space features a playground and splash pad for all kids of all ages.
Conservancy Commons Park, 6822 Yellowwood Ln., DeForest
This park features a playground with swings and slides, picnic tables, and a splash pad for all ages.
Cypress Splash Park, 902 Magnolia Ln., Madison
This privately funded spray and splash park in one of Madison’s public parks offers fun for kids of all ages. It features drinking fountains and restrooms.
Elver Park Splash Park, 1250 McKenna Blvd., Madison
This public park offers three splash parks for all kids of all ages.
Fireman’s Park Beach, 600 Bruce St., Verona
This former limestone quarry is now a swimming hole with a beach, splash pad, waterslide, picnic tables, and several shade structures.
Lakeview Park, 6300 Mendota Ave., Middleton
This free, outdoor aquatic park offers fun, brightly colored water features entertaining kids of all ages with its interactive nature. The splash pad is fully accessible and safe for any age.
McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg
This wet and wonderful playground is fully accessible and safe for all ages and abilities. There are three zones: Toddler, with soft mists and gentle streams; pre-teens, with high-energy, team-building activities; and families, with dumping buckets, water tunnels and lots of good, clean fun.
Nordic Ridge Splash Park, 1300 Hoel Ave., Stoughton
This park at Nordic Ridge offers picnic tables, some handicap-accessible, restrooms and drinking water fountains.
Phoebe Bakken Memorial Splash Park, 4064 Vilas Rd., Cottage
This park offers a playground, picnic shelter, splash pad, sports fields, and pump track, plus restrooms.
Reindahl (Amund) Park, 1818 Portage Rd., Madison
This kid-friendly water park offers a shelter and restrooms.
Tom & Rita Tubbs Splash Pad, 550 North Str., Sun Prairie
The Tom & Rita Tubbs Splashpad & Playground was constructed in 2021 and features a garden-themed wet and dry playscape for children of all ages. The splashpad boasts a 2,413 square foot wet deck with a total of 36 spray features, a three-stall changing structure, large butterfly shade structures, and ample seating. The 5,414 square foot playground area includes a tot play area, a rope climbing structure and a tall 1.5 story slide!
PUBLIC BEACHES:
B.B. Clarke Beach, 835 Spaight St., Madison
This public beach is not the largest beach in the area, but it’s a good choice. It is located on Lake Monona and offers a playground and a diving float. There is no lifeguard on duty.
.Bernie’s Park Beach, 901 Gilson St., Madison
This public beach is located right off of Monona Bay. It is small but has one amazing view of the Capitol right downtown Madison. Bernie’s Beach has an accessible mat during the typical beach season as well as a restroom.
Brittingham Beach, 701 W Brittingham Pl., Madison
This public beach is found on the Monona Bay shore and offers plenty of fun with rentals for canoes and kayaks. Brittingham Park also offers fishing, a play structure, pickleball courts, and sand volleyball.
Devil’s Lake State Park Beach, S5975 Park Rd., Baraboo
This public beach is located in Baraboo and is the largest state park in Wisconsin, offering 30 miles of hiking with beautiful views. This state park offers plenty of swimming beaches, kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, and concessions.
Esther Beach, 2802 Waunona Way, Madison
This public neighborhood beach found on Lake Monona offers great views of the downtown Madison skyline. It offers a playground, picnic tables and kayak and canoe storage.
.Fireman’s Park Beach, 600 Bruce St., Verona
This public beach is a family-friendly lake sandy beach covering nearly 18 acres of space. The beach offers plenty of fun with fishing, playground equipment, a diving board, a large water slide, and a splash pad.
Frost Wood Beach, 5800 Winnequah Rd., Monona
This public beach is found on Lake Monona, on Squaw Bay. It is a heavily wooded park with plenty of shade. It is a favorite for picnicking and swimming.
Governor Dodge State Park Beach, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville
This public beach is located in a huge state park covering more than 5,300 acres. This park offers two lakes and a waterfall, along with bluffs and deep valleys. This park is found in Dodgeville and provides beaches you can enjoy along the lakes. A concession stand is found at the Cox Hollow beach area, along with boat and canoe rentals.
James Madison Beach, 614 E Gorham St., Madison
This public beach offers beautiful views and plenty to do. James Madison Beach is found on Lake Mendota. The beach offers picnic tables, a playground, and a volleyball court.
Ripley Beach, 1918 Norman Way, Madison
This public beach is located on the west shores of Lake Ripley. It is an 18 acre park privately owned by the Cambridge Foundation and managed by CAP. Ripley Park offers two tennis courts, a basketball court, a children’s play structure, 9-hole disc golf course, and volleyball courts..
Schluter Beach, 4511 Winnequah Rd., Monona
This public beach is located on the shore of Lake Monona. It offers a small gazebo, grills, picnic tables, a playground, and bathrooms on site, as well as a handicap-accessible pier. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Vilas Beach, 1501 Vilas Park Dr., Madison
This public beach is located near the Vilas zoo. It is found right at Lake Wingra offering a sandy beach, bathrooms, concessions and picnic tables.
PRIVATE POOLS:
Bauman Community Pool, 2400 Park Lawn Pl., Middleton
The Bauman Community Pool, an outdoor facility includes a zero-depth pool entrance, an eight-lane 25-yard competition pool, as well as a diving well. Other attractions at the center include two 134-foot run waterslides, interactive water play equipment, a sand playground, and a concession area.
Goodman Aquatic Center, 7762 County Rd. PD, Verona
This saltwater pool’s six 25-meter lanes make it great for lap swimming, and its zero-depth entry makes it accessible to everyone. The Goodman Aquatic Center offers concessions and is available for private events.
Hill Farm Swim Club, 1 N Eau Claire Ave., Madison
This 8-lane, 25-meter pool with separate diving well has been the summer home to generations of Madison families. The pool is located in the heart of the University Hill Farms neighborhood. They will be this swim meet host.
Maple Bluff Country Club Pool, 500 Kensington Dr., Madison
This outdoor heated 8-lane outdoor swimming pool is a beloved amenity for members of this country club. The pool also offers a diving well, a kids’ pool and a snack bar.
Nakoma Country Club Pool, 4145 Country Club Rd., Madison
Nakoma Golf Club features an eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool, complete with an attached diving well and separate kids’ pool. The pool area includes a cafe providing a large range of food and beverage options. Swimming members can take advantage of complimentary Red Cross-certified swimming lessons for their children. Club sponsored, family-friendly, pool events are hosted several times a season and use of the pool deck and community room spaces are available for semi-private functions.
Parkcrest Pool and Tennis, 1 N Yellowstone Dr., Madison
Parkcrest Swim and Tennis is the ultimate destination for all your summer fun needs in Madison! Not only do we have pools for you to cool off in, but we also have outdoor tennis and basketball courts for you to show off your skills. We’ve got everything you need for a full day of fun in the sun. Plus, we’re all about helping people get active and healthy, so we offer lessons and activities for both kids and grown-ups. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, our facilities have something for everyone. So come on down, join the fun, and be a part of our awesome community!
Ridgewood Pool, 5109 Barton Rd., Madison
Ridgewood pool is a membership pool located on the far West side, tucked into a quiet corner of the Orchard Ridge neighborhood. It is a kid-friendly setting with 2 25-yard pools for recreational and competitive swimming. There is also a separate diving well and 2 low dives and the only outdoor high-dive in Madison. This pool also offers a zero-depth entry wading pool.
Seminole Pool and Tennis Club, 5948 Schumann Dr., Fitchburg
This neighborhood outdoor pool and tennis club is a volunteer-run, private membership organization. The pool has numerous 25-yard lanes, an attached diving well and offers concessions. It offers recreational and competitive swim and dive opportunities.
Shorewood Hills Pool, 901 Swarthmore Ct., Madison
Shorewood Hills Village with its only in Madison 50-meter outdoor olympic sized pool is a family friendly, community-oriented membership pool which offers not only a great deal of open swimming time, but also numerous programs and activities available for members of all ages and abilities. It offers an attached diving well, a separate kids’ area and pool as well as concessions.