🌮 Best places to swim in Salem

Salem Area Pools & Splash Pads - Your 2025 Guide

Looking for the perfect place to cool off this summer? Here's your complete guide to pools and splash pads around Salem, with all the details you need to dive right in.

Year-Round Indoor Swimming

Withnell Family YMCA - Downtown Salem

What you'll find: Lap lanes, recreation pool, family swim times, and therapy pool
Good to know: Check their website for weekly schedules - they update it regularly
Website: theyonline.org

Salvation Army Kroc Center - North Salem

What you'll find: Lazy river, lighthouse slide, splash zone, hot tub, and separate lap pool
Good to know: Day passes available every day - no membership required
Website: salem.kroccenter.org

Salem Swim School - 36th Ave NE

What you'll find: Warm 89-90°F lesson pool perfect for all ages
Good to know: Six days a week lessons, from babies to adults
Website: salemswimschool.com

Stayton Family Memorial Pool - Stayton

What you'll find: Six-lane pool plus shallow exercise area
Good to know: Check the city website for current monthly schedules
Website: staytonoregon.gov

Dallas Aquatic Center - Dallas

What you'll find: Five pools including therapy, kiddie splash, slide, and lap pools
Good to know: Summer recreational swim starts at 1 p.m. most weekdays
Website: dallasor.gov

Woodburn Aquatic Center - Woodburn

What you'll find: 25m × 25yd lap pool, rope swing, waterslide, spa, and saunas
Good to know: Open seven days a week through August 31
Website: woodburn-or.gov

Courthouse Club Fitness - West Salem, Keizer & Creekside

What you'll find: Public summer swim camps and Aqua Fit classes
Good to know: You don't need a gym membership to join their outdoor summer programs
Website: courthousefit.com

Willamette University Swim School - Downtown campus

What you'll find: Two-week lesson sessions in the university pool
Good to know: Spring and fall sessions fill up quickly
Website: news.willamette.edu

Summer Outdoor Clubs

Open Memorial Day through Labor Day

Easy to Join

Salem Tennis & Swim Club (STSC) - Lone Oak Rd SE
What you'll find: Heated 25-meter pool plus splash pad
Hours: Mon-Thu 1-8 p.m., Fri-Sun 11:30 a.m.-7:15 p.m., weekday lap hour 8-9 a.m.
Website: salemtennisandswimclub.com

Jan Ree Swim Club - Northeast Salem
What you'll find: No wait-list, no sign-up fee
Good to know: $25 discount if you join by May 15, day passes available
Website: janreeswimmingpool.com

Cambridge Pool - Boone Rd SE
What you'll find: Neighborhood pool that releases new memberships each May
Good to know: Watch their Facebook page for membership announcements

Currently Wait-Listed

Northwood Park Swim Club - Keizer
Status: Capped at 100 families with wait-list
Good to know: Lessons open to non-members
Website: northwoodpoolkeizer.com

Madrona Swim Club - South Salem
Status: Memberships transfer member-to-member via interested list
Good to know: Public summer lessons available
Website: madronaswimclub.com

Holiday Swim Club - Salem/Keizer line
Status: 90-family limit, currently wait-listed
Good to know: Morning and evening lessons open to everyone
Website: holidayswimclub.org

Members Only

Illahe Hills Country Club - South Salem
What you'll find: Zero-entry pool with six lap lanes, slide, swim team
Website: illahehills.com

Creekside Golf Club Pool - South Salem
Good to know: Private for members, but Courthouse rents deck for public camps
Website: courthousefit.com

Free City Splash Pads

Open mid-June through Labor Day
Daily hours: 12-8 p.m. (unless noted)

• Englewood Park - 1260 19th St NE

• Fairmount Park - 650 Rural St S

• Northgate Park - 3575 Fairhaven Ave NE

• Wes Bennett Park - 2200 Baxter Rd SE

• West Salem Park - 265 Rosemont Ave NW

• Riverfront Park - 200 Water St NE (Early hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)

• River Road Park - 3045 River Rd N (Early hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)

Bonus: The Capitol "Wall of Water" fountain activates when temperatures hit 80°F or higher.

More info: cityofsalem.net

Quick Planning Tips

Need winter lessons? Stick to indoor venues: YMCA, Kroc Center, Salem Swim School, Courthouse, Dallas, Woodburn, Stayton, or Willamette University.

Want a membership without a long wait? Jan Ree Swim Club is your best bet, with Cambridge Pool as a second option.

Just need a single swim? Kroc Center, YMCA, Dallas, Woodburn, and all splash pads welcome drop-ins.

Ready to dive in? Grab your goggles, apply sunscreen, and enjoy the water!

Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie