Beat the heat at these swimming holes, water parks & splash pads!

The best way to beat the humid, summer heat is at a local splash pad or by going swimming! Greenville, SC, and the surrounding Upstate area has plenty of options. We’ll tell you all about local pools, splash pads, creek stomping places, and swimming holes. If you want to know where parents can take kids to swim or get wet near Greenville, we have all the details.

If we missed any places to swim, let us know in the comments!

Also, if you plan to visit a park for swimming, check with the location before you head out as some places may close for various reasons throughout the summer. We also advocate following the Leave No Trace principles and recreating responsibly.

Lakes and Swimming Holes: Greenville, SC

Sandy Beaches in the Upstate

The ocean is a bit of a drive, but there are many places where you can find a sandy beach within a significantly shorter drive. These Sandy Beaches near Upstate, SC are open for swimming and are all located in the mountains and foothills.

Swimming Holes Near Greenville

Looking for an old-fashioned swimming hole? To see more lakes and waterfall basins where you can take a dip, see this list of Swimming Holes Near Greenville!

Recreational Lakes for Swimming: Greenville, SC

It’s hard not to love lake swimming. Greenville, SC and the Upstate area offer a number of lakes that have recreational swimming and other watersports. We have gathered a list of the best recreational lakes near Greenville, SC!

Creek & Waterfall Hikes Near Greenville

Creeks

Creek stomping is a great way to make hiking fun even in the summer heat. These 8 places are some of our favorite spots for playing in creeks.

Waterfall Hikes

This list of waterfall hikes includes several waterfalls that you can swim near.

Tubing Near Greenville

One great way to enjoy the water in the summer is by tubing down a river. This list includes some of our favorite places to tube and also has tips for how to enjoy your adventure.

Water Parks Near Greenville

Greenville County Waterparks

Opening Memorial Day Weekend 2023: Greenville County Waterparks: Swim classes for older toddlers on up – be aware, many summer day camps visit these parks midweek so those times can be busier, call ahead if this is a concern for you.

• 7th Inning Splash – various water slides including bowl, baseball-themed splash pad, full pool, check it out here. 1500 Piedmont Highway, Piedmont
• Otter Creek – multiple water slides, splash pad, zero-entry pool, check it out here. 101 W Darby Road, Greenville
• Discovery Island – lazy river, water slides (including tube sliders that my tall three-year-old could go on with us), aquatic playground, “FlowRider” wave surfing (great for older kids), nearby Southside Park playground (near parking lot exit) 417 Baldwin Road, Simpsonville

Shipwreck Cove

Opening Memorial Day Weekend, 2023: Shipwreck Cove – This waterpark is in Duncan for those a bit east of Greenville. There is a lazy river, two water play areas – one for younger kids and one for older kids, slides, and more!
119 S Spencer Street, Duncan

Water Parks within Driving Distance

Dollywood Splash Country, Pigeon Forge, TN: This waterpark is only open during the summer and is a lot of fun for families.

Soaky Mountain, Sevierville, TN: This waterpark is a blast and close to Gatlinburg.

Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville, TN: This houses the largest indoor waterpark in Tennessee plus has two other outdoor waterparks open in the summer. It is directly across the street from Soaky Mountain and they offer discounted passes there.

The Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC: Our families really enjoy this indoor waterpark option in nearby Charlotte.

Wild Bear Falls Water Park at the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, TN: This is an indoor water park at a fantastic resort in Gatlinburg, about three hours from Greenville. It’s open year-round.

SouthTown Wake Park, Rock Hill, SC: This wake park offers wakeboarding and a floating obstacle course.

Charleston Aqua Park, Charleston, SC: This obstacle course at Trophy Lakes is just one of the fun water activities at the lake.

Enjoy a Splash Pad: Greenville, SC and Throughout the Upstate

Splash pads in our area are usually open by Memorial Day weekend unless otherwise noted.

Find FREE Splash Pads by Upstate, SC County:
Splash Pads in Greenville County
Splash Pads in Spartanburg County
Splash Pads in Anderson County
More Splash Pads Nearby in South Carolina

Splash Pad: Greenville, SC

Open April 2023 The Fountain Inn Splash Pad – This splash pad is open on Main Street in Fountain Inn. There is plenty of shade. 104 N Main Street, Fountain Inn

Opens May 1, 2023: The huge Unity Park in Greenville includes a large playground and splash pad that is open 9 am – 8 pm. 320 S Hudson Street, Greenville.

Closed For Renovation Children’s Fountain at RiverPlace is a free train-themed splash pad along the Reedy River in Falls Park. We have not been able to confirm if or when they will open for the summer of 2023. Maintenance problems usually plague this splash pad, so they will close unexpectedly at times as well.

Splash Pad: Spartanburg, SC

Open Memorial Day – Labor Day Tyger River Park Splash Pad – This public splash pad is located in Moore at the large impressive Tyger River Park. The park also has fields, green space, walking trails, and a large playground. It’s not very shady though so wear your sunscreen and hats and be sure to check the temperature of play equipment.
179 Dillard Riad, Duncan

Open Memorial Day – Labor Day (9 am – 7 pm) Barnett Park Splash Pad – This beautiful green space in downtown Spartanburg features an interactive water fountain that children can play in. It’s also within walking distance of Hub City Scoops and the free Sparkle City mini putt.
248 E St John Street, Spartanburg

Open Memorial Day – Labor Day (9 am – 7 pm) Airport Park in Spartanburg – This playground features an aviation-themed splash pad.
500 Ammons Road, Spartanburg

Open Memorial Day – Labor Day (8 am – 8 pm) McKinney Park in Woodruff- This is another great park to check out that has a splash pad.  Covered picnic areas, a playground, and ball fields make for a fun day out in the sun, with the benefit of water play
E Pine Street, Woodruff

Open Memorial Day-Labor Day (9 am – 7 pm) Stewart Park– This park not only includes a splash pad, but also has two outdoor basketball courts, a walking trail, a covered picnic area, a walking trail, and a playground.
453 Beacon Street, Spartanburg

Splash Pad: Anderson, SC

Open May 26, 2023 (Daily 11-1:30 pm and 3-5:30 pm): Carolina Wren Park in Anderson – Situated right in downtown Anderson.
111 E Whitner Street, Anderson

Opens Memorial Day (Memorial Day-August 13: 9 am – 8 pm daily; August 19-September 3: Saturday and Sunday only plus Labor Day): Kid Venture 2.0 – splash pad + playground.
7 Jim Ed, Rice Circle, Anderson

More Splash Pads in South Carolina

Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, SC has an amazing splash pad, as well as a playground, a lake for paddling, and lots more. The splash pad is free with park admission. It’s fenced, has attached restrooms and changing areas, vending machines, and is conveniently located beside the parking lot.

Pools Where You Can Go Swimming: Greenville, SC

Greenville has a number of pools that offer public access either through a day pass or through membership.

Gyms that Offer Pools

A gym membership can be a great way to have pool access all summer.

YMCA of Greenville Pool – The Caine Halter Family Y, the Eastside Family Y, and the Prisma Health Family Y all offer pools with certified lifeguards and cool water to keep you and the kids happy during the hot summer months. Learn more about Y locations and amenities.

The Caine Halter YMCA features an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and a splash pad.

Greenville County Aquatic Complex – The Greenville County Aquatic Complex is an indoor pool at Westside Park that has both a competition pool and a therapy pool. You can purchase day passes, monthly, or yearly memberships.
2700 W Blue Ridge Drive, Greenville

Kroc Center –  Our readers love this zero-entry indoor pool due to its fun pool playground/splash zone. Day passes are available in addition to memberships.
424 Westfield Street, Greenville

Neighborhood Pools

Many neighborhood pools in the area offer memberships for non-residents. This list is specifically pools that offer non-resident memberships or day passes. Or, if you’re shopping for a new house, here’s a list of neighborhoods that have pools.

Pools Within Driving Distance

Buncombe County, North Carolina is not a far drive and the county offers several pools to choose from for public swimming. Passes are $3/per person per day. There are five locations and they open on May 27, 2023.

• North Buncombe Pool | 734 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville, NC
• Cane Creek Pool | 590 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher, NC
• Owen Pool | 117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa, NC
• Erwin Pool | 58 Lees Creek Road, Asheville, NC
• Hominy Valley Pool | 25 Twin Lakes Road, Candler, NC

Hours are Monday – Friday from 11:30 am – 5 pm, Saturday from 11 am – 6 pm, and Sunday from 1-6 pm.

Nearby Coastal Beaches

Driving to the ocean can be only around 3.5-5 hours from Greenville. We have a complete list of our favorite southeast beaches to travel to.

4 Floating Obstacle Courses Over Water in Georgia and South Carolina