Here is Missoula’s Ultimate Guide to Fun Summer Water Parks

The weather in Montana is heating up and we are heading into the hottest part of the year. When Missoula residents need to cool off they will have different options to cool down scattered throughout the city.

Thanks to Missoula Parks and Rec

Thanks to the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department for building and maintaining these valuable resources for the neighborhoods when we heat up. When using the "Splash Decks" keep these things in mind from the city:

• To conserve water, spray pools are activated by the user when the outdoor temperature is above 75°.

• The "on" button is located on an orange bollard on the edge of the spray park. Push the metal button, and the water will turn on for one minute before shutting off again.

• As with all recreational water sources, public health officials remind pool users they should not drink the water. This policy helps prevent the spread of recreational water illnesses (RWIs.) Learn more about healthy swimming from the CDC.

For those that want to be outside and spend some time cooling down, here are your choices.

Splash Montana- Splash Montana is the biggest water park in Missoula and it charges a fee for use. There are three different water slides. For those less adventurous, there is a "lazy river." The kids have a big pool area to cool off in. For those more serious swimmers, there is a lap pool with multiple lanes. Splash Montana is also offering an "Adult Night" for those that might need a break from the kids for a bit.

Splash Decks

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Bonner Park-  Bonner Park located in the "University District" at 1600 Ronald, is one of the bigger "splash decks" that Missoula has to offer. There is no charge to cool down here. Bonner Park also offers a band shell that houses free Missoula Band concerts in the summer. Tennis Courts, a basketball court, and more are available in the park.

Franklin Park- Franklin Park, 2100 10th Street is another location for a "splash deck" that is free of charge to use. Franklin Park has a baseball diamond, horseshoe pit, volleyball court, and a shelter.

Westside Park- Westside Park at 1100 Sherwood on Missoula's "North Side" is another home for a "splash deck" and there is no charge for use. This park has had some of the most recent upgrades, including a recent addition of an "all abilities" playground which is a pretty amazing facility for all kids.

Marilyn Park- Marilyn Park, located on Linda Vista Blvd. and Raymond on the South Side of Missoula is home to another "splash deck" there is no charge for use. The "splash deck" is the main feature of Marilyn Park. Right now they are in the process of changing out a pump so the water features aren't working, but they hope to be back up working by this weekend.

Spray Pools

Southside Lions Park- Southside Lions Park is located at 2100 Bow Street in central Missoula, close to Sentinel High School and Washington Middle School. For people wanting to cool down this park has a "spray pool" with cement turtles that spray water into the center of the cement area. These are not "pools" in the sense that they don't hold water, you can't swim here.

Sacajawea- Sacajawea Park is located 810 S. Orange Street in the "Slant Street Neighborhood" in Missoula. There have been upgrades made in this park recently with newer equipment. For cooling down this park also has a "spray pool" with cement turtles that spray water into the center of the cement area.

Currents Aquatic Center

For those that don't want to spend any time outdoors, Missoula offers an indoor water center too called Currents Aquatic Center.

The heat is going to be kicking up in the next few weeks and all of these options are great opportunities to cool down when it gets too hot.