As summer temperatures climb, keeping kids entertained and cool can get expensive quickly. Fortunately, you do not have to break the bank to beat the heat. From free community splash pads to waterparks with resident discounts, Oakland County offers plenty of ways to chill out while leaving your budget intact. Bookmark this guide to plan your family’s next affordable water day.
Use our interactive map to browse Oakland County’s public outdoor swimming locations, resident-discount water parks, splash pads and public access lakes.
⚠️ Before You Swim: If you plan on visiting any of our beautiful local beaches, don’t forget to check the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) BeachGuard portal first for the latest water advisories, beach closures, and safety conditions.
Free Splash Pads
If you are looking to save on admission costs, these community splash pads are completely free to enter. Pack some snacks, grab your towels and head out to these neighborhood favorites.
Auburn Hills: Splash Pad at Riverside Park
Berkley: Splash Pad at Oxford Park
Farmington Hills: Splash Pad at Heritage Park
Ferndale: Splash Pad at Martin Road Park
Novi: Jessica’s Splash Pad
Rochester Hills: Splash Pad at Brooklands Plaza
Royal Oak: Splash Pad at Normandy Oaks Park
West Bloomfield: Lily Pad Springs
Low-Cost and Resident-Discount Water Parks
When you want the full water park experience, complete with slides, lazy rivers and wave pools, leveraging your local residency unlocks major savings.
Madison Heights: Red Oaks Water Park
- Monday-Thursday: $18 for Oakland County residents, $26 for nonresidents, free for children under 36 inches
- Friday-Sunday and holidays: $21 for Oakland County residents, $30 for nonresidents, free for children under 36 inches
Troy: Troy Family Aquatic Center
- $10 for Troy residents, $15 for nonresidents, free for children under 3
- Check the schedule for Grandparent Tuesdays, when admission is free for grandparents with paying children, or head over after 5 p.m. for twilight discounts.
Spots Under $5
Clarkston: Renee Przybylski Memorial Spray Park at Clintonwood Park
- $2 for Independence Township resident, $4 for nonresident children, free for adults
Oxford: KLR Splash Pad
- Free for Oxford Township residents, $5 for nonresidents
Milford: Splash ’n’ Blast at Kensington Metropark
- Free entry with a Huron-Clinton Metroparks vehicle pass, with free availability at any local library participating in the Michigan Activity Pass program
White Lake: Spray ’n’ Play at Indian Springs Metropark
- Free entry with a Huron-Clinton Metroparks vehicle pass, with free availability at any local library participating the Michigan Activity Pass program
Parents, remember to bring a valid driver’s license or state ID showing residency for discounts at the gate or ticket window.
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