Living Around Richmond · Family time
Richmond Splash Pads
Where to cool off around Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield, with free spray parks, seasonal fountains, and a few options for a bigger water day.
Official sources reviewed October 24, 2026.
A splash pad is one of those summer outings that sounds simple until you arrive with a child in a swimsuit, and the water is off. I’ve pulled the useful details together here so you can choose a spot near you, see what it costs, and check the right place before heading out.
And if you’re new to Richmond, remember that a Richmond mailing address can still be in Henrico or Chesterfield. I’ve included the area for each stop to make planning a little easier.
Holly
Start close to home
Public parks & seasonal fountains
Henrico’s spray parks are free. Children need adult supervision; swim diapers are required when needed, and water shoes are recommended. Keep food, drinks, glass, and pets out of the spray areas. Shelter rentals are separate from casual water play.
West End / Henrico
Short Pump Park
3329 Pump Road, Henrico, VA 23233
Cost: Free
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published in-season hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily.
Spray fountains, playground, picnic areas, and restrooms. Adult supervision required.
Before you go: Use the park entrance and follow posted parking signs. The field-side shelter accepts reservations; the dog-park-side shelter does not.
Official details & updates ↗Glen Allen / Henrico
Twin Hickory Park
5011 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Cost: Free
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published in-season hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily.
Zero-depth spray play intended for children 12 and younger with adult supervision. Playgrounds, trails, and shelter restrooms.
Before you go: Follow park parking signs. The large park shelter cannot be reserved.
Official details & updates ↗Glen Allen / Henrico
Dunncroft/Castle Point Park
4901 Francistown Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Cost: Free
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published in-season hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily.
Spray park, playground, trails, disc golf, picnic shelter, and restrooms. Children need adult supervision.
Before you go: At the entrance to Hungary Creek Middle School. Follow park parking signs; shelter reservations are separate from water play.
Official details & updates ↗East End / Henrico
Eastern Henrico Recreation Center
1440 N. Laburnum Avenue, Henrico, VA 23223
Cost: Free
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published in-season hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily.
Outdoor spray park and playground. Adult supervision required. This is separate from the nearby indoor Thornton YMCA.
Before you go: Follow recreation-center parking signs. Confirm restroom access against center hours, especially for early or evening visits.
Official details & updates ↗Varina / Henrico
Dorey Park
2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, VA 23231
Cost: Free
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published in-season hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily.
Spray park, playground, pond trail, and picnic areas. The recreation center provides restrooms. Adult supervision required.
Before you go: Use park parking and the county park map to plan your walk. Confirm restroom availability and any shelter reservation needs.
Official details & updates ↗Sandston / Henrico
Taylor Farm Park
200 Whiteside Road, Sandston, VA 23150
Cost: Free
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Spray hours in season: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; stream hours in season: dawn–dusk.
Accessible spray play, a separate play stream, nature play, and restrooms. Adult supervision required.
Before you go: Use the park map to choose parking near your activities. Shelters cannot be reserved. Check the stream and spray area separately.
Official details & updates ↗North Chesterfield
Beulah Park
6901 Hopkins Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23234
Cost: Free public park; confirm any special-event charges
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published in-season splash hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Splash pad, playground, shelter, walking trail, water fountains, and restrooms.
Before you go: Follow parking signs at the Beulah recreation complex. Check current maintenance notices and posted age and supervision rules.
Official details & updates ↗Midlothian / Chesterfield
The Park at River City Sportsplex
13030 Genito Road, Midlothian, VA 23112
Cost: Free
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published in-season splash hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Opened in 2026. Splash pad, playground zones for several age groups, and eight family restrooms.
Before you go: Follow Sportsplex parking signs. Check event traffic. Picnic shelters are first come, first use; check posted splash rules.
Official details & updates ↗Richmond / Southside
Stony Point Fashion Park Pop Jet Fountain
Stony Point Fashion Park, Richmond, VA
Cost: No fountain admission charge listed
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Published hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, noon–6 p.m.
Children must be supervised, and shoes are required. Change clothing and diapers only in restrooms. No outside food or drinks in the fountain area.
Before you go: Use shopping-center parking and the directory for the closest restrooms. Adult swimwear is not permitted.
Official details & updates ↗Make an outing of it
Museum & garden splash pads
Richmond / Downtown
SplashMoR at the Children’s Museum
2626 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Cost: Museum admission or eligible membership required; check current tickets.
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September.
Outdoor Front Yard splash pad at the Downtown location. Check museum hours, admission rules, and the annual water-play announcement.
Before you go: Use the museum’s visit planner for parking, restrooms, and accessibility. Confirm any clothing or swim-diaper requirements.
Official details & updates ↗Lakeside / Henrico
Waterway at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228
Cost: Garden admission applies. Published regular rates: adults $24; qualifying discounted adults $20; ages 4–17 $14; ages 3 and younger and members free. Recheck before buying.
Season & hours: Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Check the Garden’s current Waterway schedule for daily hours.
Designed mainly for children under 10, with gentle stream play and a more active spray area. Accessible layout and nearby restroom access.
Before you go: Swimwear, suitable swim diapers, and footwear required. Waterway closes below 70°F and for 30 minutes after thunder or lightning. Use garden parking.
Official details & updates ↗Lewis Ginter admission rates · Children’s Museum visit planner & tickets
For a different kind of water day
Indoor splashing, pools, & water parks
These are useful options from the original guide, but they involve pools, admission rules, or a larger water-park visit. Plan for the full facility rather than a quick stop at a public fountain.
Indoor option / Henrico
Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center
3201 Watts Lane, Richmond, VA 23223
Cost: Free for Henrico residents during designated weekend sessions; other access depends on YMCA membership or guest rules.
Season & hours: Published resident sessions: Saturday and Sunday, 2:15–3:15 p.m. and 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Indoor family pool and splash amenities. All users, including members, need reservations during the free resident window, plus a YMCA account.
Before you go: Locker rooms available. Confirm residency documentation, swim-test rules, child supervision, and which play features will run. Facility parking is available.
Official details & updates ↗Pool day / Chesterfield
Pocahontas State Park Aquatic Recreation Center
10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Cost: Paid aquatic admission; check current rates and vehicle parking fees separately.
Season & hours: Seasonal aquatic center. Check the official park calendar for opening dates and daily hours.
Pool complex with a toddler pool, fountain wet deck, leisure pools, and water slides.
Before you go: Confirm tickets, capacity limits, slide restrictions, parking, and changing facilities with the operator.
Official details & updates ↗Water park / Glen Allen
Cobblestones Park
13131 Overhill Lake Lane, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Cost: Last published 2026 daily rates: $18 weekdays and $20 weekends; children under 32 inches free. Next-season prices may change.
Season & hours: Seasonal water park. Check the operator’s calendar for opening dates and daily hours.
Swimming pools and slides rather than a free public spray park. Pools include water deeper than a toddler splash area.
Before you go: Check height limits, admission, parking, restrooms, and permitted items. Group visits and private decks have separate booking terms.
Official details & updates ↗Water park / Doswell, Hanover
Soak City at Kings Dominion
Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA
Cost: Included with park tickets and season passes; check parking and optional rental costs.
Season & hours: Seasonal water park with its own calendar. An open theme park does not mean the water park is open.
Family water attractions, pools, and slides. Height restrictions vary by attraction.
Before you go: Check the water-park calendar, child supervision and life-jacket rules, lockers, restrooms, and changing areas before buying.
Official details & updates ↗Before you leave home
- Open the official location page. Check the water feature’s hours, seasonal dates, weather, and maintenance notices.
- Pack swimsuits, water shoes, towels, dry clothes, swim diapers if needed, sunscreen, and a bag for wet things.
- Check restroom access and parking before unloading. A recreation building can have different hours from its outdoor park.
- Keep an adult watching children throughout the visit. Follow posted age, height, and swim-test rules.
- Plan snacks outside the spray area, and check the venue’s food policy.
Quick answers
Which Richmond-area splash pads are free?
Henrico’s six spray parks listed above are free. River City Sportsplex explicitly lists free splash-pad admission. Beulah is a public park option, and Stony Point lists no separate fountain admission charge. Museum, garden, and water-park entry rules differ.
When are splash pads typically open?
Typically open from mid-May to mid-September. Exact dates vary by location, so check the official schedule before visiting. For indoor water play, check Thornton YMCA’s schedule and reservation requirements.
Do splash pads require reservations?
Check each operator’s rules. Henrico’s casual park water play is separate from reservable shelters. Thornton YMCA explicitly requires reservations during its free resident sessions.
Where should I start with a toddler?
Compare Twin Hickory’s zero-depth play and Waterway’s gentler stream section. Choose based on your child’s needs, and supervise closely. Waterway requires garden admission.
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