Keep cool at these pools, splash pads and water parks this summer
Stay cool this summer by taking a dip in the pool, running through a free splash pad or floating in a Knoxville quarry.
Public and community outdoor pools throughout the Knoxville area are opening for the season, most with a small daily admission fee or season passes.
There are splash pads at several parks and natural swimming areas at Mead’s Quarry and along Clinch River and Fort Loudon Lake. And if you’re looking for a thrill, head to one of the nearby water parks around the Smokies, such as Splash Country or Soaky Mountain.
Check out these fun public pools and water parks around Knoxville.
What are public pools near me?
Ed Cothren Pool
Opens Saturday
Ed Cothren pool has a baby pool, two shelters and a concession stand.
The pool was renamed in 1946 to honor 1st Lt. Edward Cothren Jr., the first Black soldier from Knoxville to die in World War II.
Admission: $3 per person. Splash Passes are available for frequent visitors at $25 (10 admissions) and $45 (20 admissions).
Discounts are available for seniors who participate in Silver Sneakers, Silver & Fit, or Renew Active.
Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Pool will shift to weekends only Aug. 8 when students return to school. Sept. 2 is the last day the pool will be open for the season.
Location: 1737 Reynolds St. at Malcom-Martin Park in northwest Knoxville
Inskip Pool
Opens Saturday Inskip pool has two low diving boards and one high diving board. The area also includes a baby pool, sand volleyball court, playground, shelters, picnic tables and a concession stand. Aquatic programs including private rentals, swim lessons and a special event for dogs are offered throughout the summer season.
Admission: $4 per person. Splash passes are $33 (10 admissions) and $60 (20 admissions). Group rates available if registered.
Discounts are available for seniors who participate in Silver Sneakers, Silver & Fit, or Renew Active.
Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Pool will shift to weekends only Aug. 8 when students return to school. Sept. 2 is the last day the pool will be open for the season.
Location: 4204 Bruhin Road at Inskip Park in north Knoxville
Karns Community Pool
Opens Saturday
The Karns pool has a small water slide and a splash pad in the kids’ section. The pool has a fine grit surface to prevent slipping. It is recommended to wear water shoes or socks to protect feet, the pool’s website advises.
Picnic tables and concessions are available in the pool area. A playground and walking loop are nearby. Lounge chairs are not provided, but you can take along your own.
Admission: $8 cash for adults 12+; $4 cash for ages 3-11; free for children younger than 3 with a paid adult; $7 cash for military and seniors ages 55 and older. Cash is preferred; there is a 3% convenience fee for credit cards. Debit cards will not be accepted, the pool’s site states.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday Location: 6618 Beaver Ridge Road Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool Opens Friday with special hours, 3-6 p.m. And then noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Monday for Memorial weekend. Regular summer hours begin Tuesday.
The Oak Ridge pool is familyfriendly, and features 25- and 100-meter courses, an offshore island, a large, grassy beach area, float rentals and concession stand. Depths range from zero to 13.5 feet.
Admission: $4.25 for age 18 and older; $3.50 for ages 3-17; $2.50 for age 65 and older; free for ages 3 and younger. Tickets can be purchased with cash or check. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.
Regular summer hours: Open swim is noon-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Night swimming is 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Location: 172 Providence Road, Oak Ridge
Quarries in Knoxville
Mead’s Quarry
The spring-fed Mead’s Quarry at Ijams Nature Center has a designated swimming area and other lake activities such as paddling, canoeing and fishing. The swim area is at your own risk, though, because of sudden drops and no lifeguards on duty. Jumping off cliffs, rock ledges and rock outcroppings is prohibited according to Ijams.
A $5 parking fee went into effect Feb. 19. The new fee helps pay for upgrades, including a canopy walkway and events pavilion. Hours: 8 a.m.-dusk Location: 3518 Island Home Pike, Knoxville
Augusta Quarry (closed)
Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park is closed for the second summer in a row. The popular swimming hole is closed for the second phase of a $3.6 million renovation project, which will add the quarry’s first restrooms, a new overlook, a renovated pedestrian pathway and new floating beach and swim platforms. It is expected to reopen at the end of this year.
Fort Dickerson Park is not entirely closed. The Chapman Highway entrance to the park will remain open for access to its picnic areas and upper trails.
Hours: Dawn to dusk Location: 3000 Fort Dickerson Road in Knoxville
Melton Hill Park (3230 Williams Bend Road) has a sandy beach and swim area on the Clinch River, and the Cove at Concord Park (11808 S. Northshore Drive) has a beach area for swimming on Fort Loudon Lake.
Splash pads in Knoxville
The city of Knoxville manages splash pads for even more water fun to beat the summer heat. The water fountains typically operate from May until mid-October, and are open daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
The World’s Fair Park splash pad at 1060 World’s Fair Park Drive opened April 17 for the season.
Krutch Park at 504 Market St. has water play fountains in the park extension near Gay Street.
Market Square has a water play fountain at 18 Market Square
Knox County manages three splash pads. The free water playgrounds are open to the public 10 a.m.-8 p.m. every day, weather permitting. They will close Sept. 15.
The Carl Cowan Park splash pad (10058 S. Northshore Drive)
New Harvest Park (4775 New Harvest Lane)
Powell Station Park (2318 W. Emory Road)
Other splash pads in the area are one at McFee Park in Farragut (917 McFee Road) and the 5,000-square-foot Clayton Safari Splash Pad at the Knoxville Zoo (3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive), which includes life-sized giraffes that spout water and water hoops and loops.
Water parks in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville
Splash Country
Dollywood’s water park features 16 water rides, including Big Bear Plunge, Mountain Scream, Raging River Rapids and Fire Tower Falls.
Live music can be enjoyed Tuesdays and Thursdays, turning the water park into a pool party. The park is offering new food options and the new shaded “Family Reunion Retreat” spaces for groups over 12.
Daily operation continues through Aug. 11, then to a four-day-a-week schedule through Sept. 2. The last day of the season is Sept. 15. Tickets: $54.95+ Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
The 50-acre water park has water coasters, including The Edge, a dueling coaster that opened in 2023, water slides, an adventure river and a wave pool.
There is live music on Mondays and Wednesdays, and cabanas can be rented for as little as $49, but price depends on the day of the week.
Soaky Mountain will be open through Labor Day (Sept. 2), and then shift to weekends for rest of September. Tickets: $49.99 Address: 175 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@ knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208 .