FREE or Cheap Swimming in Kansas City

When it’s hot in Kansas City, you can’t beat water fun at a swimming pool, aquatic center, water park, swim beach or lake.

The following is a list of FREE or cheap swimming places in Kansas City. 

For local swimming pools we’ve listed general admission prices, but some locations offer memberships, season passes or group rates that may be a better value if your family is going to swim a lot.Check with each location directly to find out what’s available.

It’s also important to click and follow the links for the latest updates. Some parks and recreation departments are having difficulty hiring life guards. This shortage may impact pool openings and/or operating hours. 

Most swimming pools are open in the afternoons but use the phone numbers to call and check specific hours.

You may also be interested in our post FREE Kansas City Spraygrounds.

Swimming Pools in Kansas City

Kansas Locations

Ad Astra Swimming Pool  
8265 Maurer Road, Lenexa, KS
913-492-7946
General admission: $5 for Lenexa residents; $7 for non-residents; $1 for ages 60+; FREE for ages two and younger.
Notable: Zero depth entry, lap swimming, diving board, in-deck spay features.

Black Bob Bay
14570 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS
913-971-5345
General admission: $10 for Olathe residents ages 3-61; $12 for non-residents ages 3-61; $5 for all seniors; FREE for ages two and younger.
Notable: Raft water slides, lazy river, dive well including two one-meter diving boards and two three-meter diving boards.

Bluejacket Swimming Pool – CLOSED FOR THE 2022 SEASON
10101 Bond Street, Overland Park, KS
913-327-5671
General admission: $6 for Overland Park residents; $7 for non-residents
Notable: Heated swimming pool flanked by decks and grassy areas, zero depth entry, jet bench seat, upon request, a 25-meter lane will be provided from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for lap swimming.

Fairway Swimming Pool 
6136 Mission Road Fairway, KS
913-722-3161
General admission: $6 for residents; $8 for non-residents; FREE for ages two and younger.
Notable: Ample swimming pool with two designated lap lanes, diving boards, 11-foot slide, zero depth area with toddler toys.

Flat Rock Creek Swimming Pool 
13120 W. 103rd Street, Lenexa, KS
913-888-3202
General admission: $5 for Lenexa residents; $7 for non-residents; $1 for ages 60+; FREE for ages two and younger.
Notable: Zero depth entry, in-water benches, three 25-yard lap lanes, diving board, water hoops, in-deck spray feature, aqua climbing wall.

Frontier Swimming Pool 
15909 W. 127th St., Olathe, KS
913-971-5349
General admission: $7 for Olathe residents ages 3-61; $9 for non-residents; $5 for seniors; FREE for kids age two and under.
Notable: Zero depth entry, dive well, lap swimming pool.

Gardner Aquatic Center 
215 N Center Street, Gardner, KS
913-856-0962
General admission: $6; twilight admission of $4 offered after 6 p.m.
Notable: Zero depth entry, lazy river, multiple water slides, diving boards, floatable walk, climbing nets, spray grounds, and tot pool.

Indian Trails Aquatic Center 
8801 Greenway Lane, Lenexa, KS
913-888-4659
General admission: $6 for Lenexa residents; $8 for non-residents; $1 for ages 60+; FREE for ages two and younger.
Notable: Zero depth entry, eight 50-meter lap lanes, diving board, aqua climbing wall, diving board, two water slides.

Leawood Aquatic Center 
10601 Lee Boulevard, Leawood, KS
(913) 327-3977
General admission: $6 for Leawood residents; $9 for non-residents.
Notable: Multiple swimming pools, water features.

Matt Ross Community Center Indoor Swimming Pool 
8101 Marty Street, Overland Park, KS
913-895-6350
Notable: Heated leisure pool for all ages, water slide, lazy river, lap swimming and water walking at designated times, access to adjacent party rooms.

Merriam Community Center
6040 Slater Merriam, KS
Notable: Includes and indoor and outdoor pool. 

Mill Creek Swimming Pool 
320 E. Poplar, Olathe, KS
913-971-5337
General admission: $7 for Olathe residents ages 3-61; $9 for non-residents; $5 for seniors.
Notable: Zero depth entry swimming, dive well, lap swimming pool, water slide.

Oregon Trail Swimming Pool 
1750 W. Dennis, Olathe, KS
913-971-5348
General admission: $7 for Olathe residents ages 3-61; $9 for non-residents; $5 for seniors.
Notable: Zero depth entry swimming pool, dive well, lap swimming pool, water slide.

Parkwood Swimming Pool 
950 Quindaro Boulevard, Kansas City, KS
913-551-0402
General admission: $1
Notable: Zero depth entry for handicap accessibility, diving board, water hoops and features.

Prairie Village Swimming Pool 
7711 Delmar, Prairie Village, KS
913-385-4650
General admission: $10 during the day; $5 after 4:30 p.m.
Notable: Zero depth entry to leisure and wading swimming pools, lap swimming pool, two water slides and plunge pool.

Splash Cove 
5800 King Avenue
Shawnee, KS 66203
(913) 631-7177

General admission: $6 for Shawnee residents; $8 for non-residents; half price admission offered from 6-8 p.m.
Notable: Mini wave pool, 125 ft. body slide and playground features.

Stonegate Swimming Pool 
9701 Antioch, Overland Park, KS
913-327-5674
General admission: $6 for Overland Park residents; $7 for non-residents.
Notable: 7,100 square feet of water, including more than 25 feet of zero depth area, a 22-foot high spiral water slide with approximately 135 feet of twists and turns, 25-meter lap lane, a one meter diving board and side diving, ample parking.

Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center 
13805 Johnson Drive
Shawnee, KS 66216
(913) 631-0054

General admission: $6 for Shawnee residents; $8 for non-residents; half price admission offered from 6-8 p.m.
Notable: Diving boards, lazy river, bubble bench and baby pool with playground.

Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center 
11950 Lowell, Overland Park, KS
913-327-5675
General admission: $6 for Overland Park residents; $7 for non-residents
Notable: Overland Park’s largest swimming pool facility, inflatable play feature, 60-foot long family slide, 25-meter lap lane, picnic shelter available for rent.

Young’s Swimming Pool
8421 W. 77th St., Overland Park, KS
913-327-5676
General admission: $6 for Overland Park residents; $7 for non-residents
Notable: Olympic size swimming pool, 31-foot-tall water slide, flume body slide with 200 feet of twists and turns, diving boards, 25-meter lap lane.

Kansas City Swimming Pools

Missouri Location

Adventure Oasis Water Park – only open to Independence residents except for party or group bookings.
2100 S. Hub Drive; Independence, MO
816-325-7370
General admission: $6 ages 3-12 and 62+, $9 ages 13-64, $25 for family of four 
Notable: Water slides, aqua climbing wall, 900-foot long lazy river, 25-yard pool for lap swimming, diving area.

Ashland Square Swimming Pool – CLOSED FOR THE 2022 SEASON
23rd and Elmwood Street, Kansas City, MO
General admission: FREE
Notable: Limited capacity and space fills quickly.

Arbor Villa Park Swimming Pool  – CLOSED FOR THE 2022 SEASON
66th Terrace and Main Street, Kansas City, MO
General admission is FREE

Bay Water Park – CURRENTLY CLOSED IN 2022 DUE TO LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE
7101 Longview Road, Kansas City, MO
816-965-9218
General admission:

• Monday thru Friday: $4 (ages 2+)
• Saturday and Sunday: $6 for youth less than 48” tall; $8 48” tall and above; $7 for seniors; FREE for kids one year of age and younger.
  Notable: Surf simulator, leisure swimming pool, lazy river, two tube slides, family swimming pool with kids water playground.

Brush Creek Community Center Swimming Pool – CURRENTLY CLOSED IN 2022 DUE TO LEAK
Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. and Cleveland Avenue, Kansas City, MO
General admission: $3

Budd Park Swimming Pool – OPENING JUNE 15, 2022
Budd Park Esplanade, Kansas City, MO
General admission: $4

Gladstone Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool 
7011 N. Holmes, Gladstone, MO
816-423-4200
General admission: $8 for ages three and older
Notable: Open flume water slide, aqua climbing wall, 900 gallon dumping bucket, dedicated swimming lanes, diving well.

Grove Park Swimming Pool – OPENING JUNE 15, 2022
Truman Road and Benton Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
General admission: $4

Harrisonville Outdoor Aquatic Center 
706 Ash Street, Harrisonville, MO
816-380-8967
General admission: $7
Notable: Three water slides, zero-depth entry swimming pool, water features, splash jets.

Jarboe Park Swimming Pool  – CLOSED FOR THE 2022 SEASON
16th and Jarboe Streets, Kansas City, MO
General admission: FREE
Notable: Designed for kids 12 and under, large and small swimming pool, big shade structures, adjacent to shelter house, playground and youth ball fiend.

Line Creek Community Center Swimming Pool 
5940 NE Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO
General admission: $4
Notable: Zero depth entry swimming pool.

Sherwood Recreation Center – CLOSED FOR THE 2022 SEASON
4900 N. Norton Ave., Kansas City, MO
816-455-0420
General admission: $2
Notable: Two swimming pools, including a one-foot deep for young kids.

Springs Aquatic Center – OPENS JUNE 16, 2022
9400 N Congress Avenue, KC MO
(816) 880-0279
General admission: $6 for under 48” tall; $9 for 48” and taller; $6 for seniors 60+; kids one and under are FREE
Notable: Leisure swimming pool, competition pool and spray ground.

Summit Waves
120 SW Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit, MO
816-969-1545
General admission: Lee’s Summit residents, $9, $6 after 5 p.m.; non-residents, $12, $9 after 5 p.m.
Notable: Two slides, six-lane lap pool with diving boards, water playground area, dumping bucket.

Swope Park Swimming Pool – CLOSED FOR THE 2022 SEASON
6700 Lewis Road, Kansas City, MO
General admission: $3
Notable: Large, handicap accessible, outdoor aquatic facility with diving and Olympic-sized swimming pools, aqua climbing wall, spray ground, large shaded picnic area.

Swim Beaches in Kansas City

When temperatures rise this summer you may want to consider pairing up with Mother Nature and cooling off at a Kansas City swim beach.

Swimming at a swim beach is a little different than enjoying a dip in a local pool. Here are some things to consider:

• Like any summer fun, bring along sunscreen and a towel.
• Watch for signs and stay in the designated swimming area.
• Wear water shoes.
• Bring a long a chair or blanket to sit on as you’ll likely be on sand or the ground.
• Follow all rules posted to ensure a safe and healthy experience.

Johnson County Swim Beaches

The Beach at Lake Olathe
S. Wardcliff Drive, Olathe, KS
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Admission:

• Ages 3-61: $8-10
• 62+: $4
• Two and under: FREE

Shawnee Mission Park Beach 
7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS
Opens daily at noon; closes between 4 to 6 p.m. depending upon the day.
Admission:

• 12 and under and 60+: $4 for JOCO residents; $6 for non-residents
• 13-59: $6 for JOCO residents; $8 for non-residents

Amenities at Shawnee Mission Park Beach include a lake front beach swim area, sand volleyball court, large shaded concession area and restroom facilities. 

Kill Creek Park Beach and Marina
11670 Homestead Lane
Olathe, KS
Noon to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays

Admission: No swimming. Boat and paddleboard rentals available.

Clay County Parks and Recreation Swim Beaches

Clay County Parks and Recreation Department operates two swim beaches at Smithville Lake. Both are open for summer 2020.

Camp Branch Beach is located on the east side of the lake within Camp Branch Park across the parking lot from the Main Park Office, Camp Branch Marina and Boat Launch.

Little Platte Beach is located within Little Platte Park on the west side of the lake and is accessed from 180th Street.

Jackson County Park and Recreation Swim Beaches

The Jackson County Parks and Recreation department operates two swim beaches: 

• Longview Lake and Beach, 11101 Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO
• Blue Springs Lake Beach, 1500 NE Bowlin Road, Lee’s Summit, MO

Marinas are open for water sports and boat rentals.