The Public Pools and Water Parks to Cool Off at this Summer

With pool season opening this weekend, it’s time to break out the pool bags, grab your towels, and get the sunscreen ready.

Arlington

Wakefield Aquatics Center

Open year-round

Managed by the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Wakefield Aquatics Center features two indoor pools, a wet classroom, and a spectator gallery. The main pool is 25 yards with eight lanes. The second pool serves as a diving and instructional pool with five lanes, up to 25 meters in length. 1325 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington

Washington-Liberty Aquatics Center

Open year-round

The Washington-Liberty Aquatics Center can host numerous water-related sports and competitions within its 25-meter by 25-yard competition indoor pool, equipped with a movable bulkhead. There is also a separate instructional pool. 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington

Yorktown Aquatics Center

Open year-round

This facility offers an eight-lane, 25-yard competition pool, a fully decoupled diving well, and a separate instructional pool. The facility also includes locker rooms and individual changing rooms. 5200 Yorktown Blvd., Arlington

Ocean Dunes Waterpark at Upton Hill Park

May 24–September 1

This outdoor pool features a 500-gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls, a baby pool, and squirters. A concession area is available within the pool enclosure. Picnic areas are located outside of the pool area. 6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington 

Alexandria

Great Waves Waterpark at Cameron Run Regional Park

May 24–September 1

Kids can enjoy the waterslides, the Paradise Play area, and the nearly 500-gallon wave pool at Cameron Run Regional Park. Unwind in designated shaded areas and order from nearby food stations. 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria

Chinquapin Park Recreation Center

Open year-round

This 25-meter indoor pool with diving boards offers aquatic sports and fitness classes. The entire facility is equipped with free Wi-Fi. The indoor pool will be closed on Memorial Day. 3210 King St., Alexandria

Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility

Open year-round

This facility has a lap-swim pool and a smaller training pool for therapeutic swimming that’s 10 degrees warmer. From June 16 to August 17, the lap pool is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the training pool is open for open swim from 1 to 6 p.m. 3795 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria

Memorial Pool

Temporarily closed

Due to its smaller size, this outdoor pool can accommodate a maximum of 45 guests. It is located at the Charles Houston Rec Center, which offers activities for people of all ages and summer camps for children. 901 Wythe St., Alexandria

Old Town Pool

Temporarily closed

This complex includes eight lane, 25-yard pool with a diving well, and a separate 1- to 3-foot deep training pool for small children. 1609 Cameron St., Alexandria

Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain

Closes mid-October

Thirty-six water jets, including 12 laminar jets, shoot streams of water and adjust according to wind speed in the area. It is located between the two playgrounds at Potomac Yard Park. 2501 Potomac Ave., Alexandria, free

Warwick Pool

Temporarily closed

Warwick Pool is a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, adjacent to the Landover Street playground. The water has a maximum depth of 5 feet. 3301 Landover St., Alexandria

Fairfax

Audrey Moore Rec Center

Open year-round

A huge mural of an underwater ocean scene stretches the length of an interior wall along the Olympic-sized pool. With two diving boards, weekends will never be boring. 8100 Braddock Rd., Annandale

Club Run Rec Center

Open year-round

With two pools, a leisure pool equipped with a water playground, two water slides (20- and 30-foot), a vortex, lazy river, spa, and a 25-yard-by-25-meter competition pool, this pool is the place for all levels of swimmers. 4630 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly

George Washington Rec Center

Open year-round

Though a small facility, this heated 25-meter pool prides itself on its aerobic water exercise and deep-water exercise programs. 8426 Old Mount Vernon Rd., Alexandria

Franconia Rec Center

Open year-round

Combined the Olympic-sized pool, outdoor sundeck, and saunas make this rec center a great place for relaxation, fitness, and fun. The five diving boards are open during select weekend hours, so check the Fairfax County Park Authority website for details. 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria

Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool

Closes September 2

With two slides and a children’s wading pool, this spot will be the perfect place to cool down on a hot day. Admission is free for county residents. This pool is not open Tuesdays. 8115 Fordson Rd., Alexandria

Oakmont Rec Center

Open year-round

In addition to its 50-meter heated pool, Oakmont offers a full set of diving boards, including 1-meter and 3-meter springboards. The pool has a diving complex with 3-meter and a 5-meter tower. 3200 Jermantown Rd., Oakton

Providence Rec Center

Open year-round

Along with its 25-yard-by-25-meter heated indoor pool, Providence has a wading area, two springboards, an outdoor sundeck, and a spa and dry heat saunas for your swimming pleasure. 7525 Marc Dr., Falls Church

South Run Rec Center

Open year-round

Two 1-meter diving boards are open on weekends and available to rent for your child’s next birthday party. Plus, a zero-depth beach entry lets you leisurely enter the main pool. 7550 Reservation Dr., Springfield

Spring Hill Rec Center

Open year-round

This 25-yard-by-25-meter heated indoor pool also includes two diving boards and an outdoor sundeck. 1239 Spring Hill Rd., McLean

The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole

May 24–September 1

Geared toward elementary-aged kids, this Western-themed swimming hole has slides, floatables, sprays, and a lazy river. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston

Atlantis Waterpark

May 24–September 1

The Atlantis Waterpark is packed with ancient Greece-themed water fun for the whole family. The park includes a huge play structure with a 500-gallon dumping bucket, slides, waterfalls to a main pool, and wading pool with a shell slide for children 6 and under. 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville

Pirate’s Cove Waterpark

May 24–September 1

Pirate’s Cove is geared toward the younger swimmers in your family, with a play structure equipped with a dumping bucket, slides, and waterfalls. It includes a sand play area filled with buried treasure. 6501 Pohick Bay Dr., Lorton

Fauquier

Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility

Open year-round

This indoor facility serves as an escape for anyone; it includes a competition pool with lap lanes and a leisure pool with a water slide and a lazy river. 800 Waterloo Rd., Warrenton

Larry Weeks Community Pools at Vint Hill

May 24–September 1

This L-shaped outdoor pool stretching 25 meters is accompanied by a children’s pool equipped with a misting mushroom, squirt turtle, and a frog slide. 4248 Bludau Dr., Warrenton

Fredericksburg

Doris E. Buffett Pool

May 24–September 1

Fredericksburg’s public pool lies within the 46 acres of Dixon Park. The outdoor pool is 6,623 square feet, filled with 165,000 gallons of water for summertime fun. There is one official lap lane during operating hours, though the pool can accommodate four. 1300 Dixon St., Fredericksburg 

Loudoun

AV Symington Aquatic Center

May 24–September 1

Part of Ida Lee Park, this pool has something to offer an assortment of age groups be it through its lazy river, slides, lap pool, and dumping buckets. 60 Ida Lee Dr. NW, Leesburg

Franklin Park Pool

May 24–September 1

There’s no shortage of places for little ones to play at this outdoor pool, which features baby slides that resemble animals and a competitive pool. 17501 Franklin Park Dr., Purcellville

Ida Lee Park Recreation Center

Open year-round

Even if it’s raining, you can let the kids get their swim fix in at this indoor pool, which offers a 10-lane, 25-yard competition pool, a whirlpool spa, and a warm-water auxiliary pool. 60 Ida Lee Dr. NW, Leesburg

Lovettsville Community Center Pool

May 24–September 1

This family-friendly outdoor pool has a separate space for babies and hosts special events like a dog swim, family night, and cardboard boat regatta. 57 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville

Round Hill Indoor Aquatic Center

Open year-round

If you’re looking for something a little less rowdy than outdoor pools with kid features, consider visiting this 4.5-foot-deep pool, which has four lanes and is always 82 degrees. 17010 Evening Star Dr., Round Hill

Volcano Island Waterpark

May 24–September 1

Kick back, relax under palm trees and tiki canopies, and let the kids rid themselves of some energy as they keep cool splashing around in the play area, swimming in the wading pool, or gliding down two slides. 20015 Volcano Island Dr., Sterling

Prince William

Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center

Reopens September 3

With both competition and leisure pools, this facility aims to entertain with its lazy river, slide, and dumping buckets. Look for specific diving board hours on the website. 9100 Freedom Center Blvd., Manassas

Graham Park Pool

May 24–September 1

This community pool has a zero-depth entry area, plus fun features like a water spray and dumping buckets. 3511 Graham Park Rd., Triangle

Veterans Park Pool & Waterslide

Closes September 2

Head to Woodbridge for this 50-meter pool with two two-story slides, graduated entry, and water splash features for little ones. 14300 Veterans Dr., Woodbridge

Hammill Mill Pool

May 24–September 1

There are plenty of small water slides and features for young swimmers, plus ample lounge chairs. 1721 Carter Ln., Woodbridge

Birchdale Pool

May 24–September 1

Birchdale Pool has a full-service concessions area, a diving pool, and a gated baby area that make this pool ideal for the whole family. 14730 Birchdale Ave., Dale City

Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center

Open year-round

Visit this indoor aquatic facility for the 40-meter main pool, leisure pool, dry saunas, outdoor sun deck, and diving board. 13025 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge

Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation City

Open year-round

Find a 25-yard heated indoor lap pool and a 16-person Whirlpool here. 14300 Minnieville Rd., Dale City

Splashdown Waterpark

May 24–September 1

With many waterslides, including two four-story slides, a lazy river, and a beach area for volleyball, this park lends new meaning to fun in the sun. 7500 Ben Lomond Park Dr., Manassas

Waterworks Waterpark

May 24–September 1

This water park offers you a variety of opportunities for fun, from its waterslides to its sand volleyball court. For the younger crowd, there is a children’s wading pool and a giant climb-on hippo. 5301 Dale Blvd., Woodbridge

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