Davis summers are hot and dry, but the city's stunning Natalie's Corner splash pad — and a handful of excellent picks within 20 miles — give families plenty of free water-play options. Here are five of the best splash pads near Davis, CA, from the garden-themed sprayground at Central Park to the ocean-themed Swanston in Sacramento.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Davis
1. Natalie's Corner Splash Pad (Davis)
Location: 501 D Street (Central Park, NW corner), Davis, CA 95616
Davis👶 Best for all ages💲 Free🚗 0.3 miDavis's exceptional splash pad with garden-themed water features — Natalie's Corner opened to widespread praise for its garden-themed design: flower sprinklers, ladybug sprayer, frog and bunny jets, and dump buckets kids trigger themselves. The splash pad in Davis, CA sits in the northwest corner of Central Park, surrounded by real lawn, pollinator gardens, and shade structures. It's named after Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona—a meaningful place where the whole community gathers. Fenced, ADA-accessible, exceptionally maintained.
Good to know: splash pad, garden-themed water features, flower sprayers, ladybug and frog sprayers, dump buckets, UV water treatment, shade structures, picnic tables, pollinator gardens, restrooms, reservable group picnic area.
Parent tip: The fenced splash area keeps toddlers contained while parents set up at nearby picnic tables — one of the more relaxed supervision setups you'll find at any splash pad in the region.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Natalie's Corner portal.
2. Jack Slaven Park (Woodland)
Leaving Davis, you're looking at about 11 min without traffic — close enough that the kids won't complain about the car ride.
Location: 1701 Camacho Way, Woodland, CA 95776
Woodland's main splash pad 15 minutes north on I-5 corridor — Jack Slaven Park in Woodland, CA features a seasonal splash pad alongside a playground, covered picnic areas (with grills!), and open lawn. The neighborhood-level traffic keeps crowds manageable. It's a worthwhile detour for families heading north on I-5 or 113. Free admission; manageable distance from Davis.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, covered picnic areas with grills, restrooms, grassy lawn.
Parent tip: The covered picnic areas with grills make Slaven a workable BBQ-plus-splash-pad afternoon — pack the cooler and let kids rotate between water play and the playground.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Jack Slaven Park city page.
3. Bridgeway Lakes Community Park (West Sacramento)
From Davis, it runs about 13 min door-to-door — West Sacramento's roads are straightforward from the highway.
Location: 3650 Southport Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95691
West Sacramento sprayground 20 minutes north with amphitheater setup — Bridgeway Lakes Community Park pairs its free spray ground with a baseball diamond, amphitheater, playground, and snack bar across one sprawling complex. The splash pad in West Sacramento, CA is a well-loved local fixture described by regulars as an "awesome free water park". The extended complex means extended visits without boredom. Season runs roughly Memorial Day through September.
Good to know: spray ground, playground, baseball diamond, amphitheater, snack bar, restrooms, turf area.
Parent tip: The spray ground opens at 1 p.m. on weekdays during the early and late season — call ahead or check the City of West Sacramento website for the current-year daily schedule before making the drive.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Bridgeway Lakes Community Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Swanston Splash Park (Sacramento)
At 18.1 miles, one of the farther picks from Davis — pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.
Location: 2350 Northrop Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95825
Sacramento's ocean-themed splash park 30 minutes south — Swanston Splash Park stands out with its seahorse sprayers, fish water cannons, and tall dolphin centerpiece kids remember for weeks. The splash pad in Sacramento, CA is maintained by Mission Oaks Recreation & Park District at a noticeably higher standard than neighborhood options. The free sand volleyball court nearby turns it into a full-day outing. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Good to know: splash pad, ocean-themed sprayers, seahorse features, dolphin centerpiece, fish water cannons, playground, sand volleyball court, basketball court, restrooms.
Parent tip: Call (916) 333-6464 to confirm it's open before the drive — occasional maintenance closures happen without much advance notice, and you want to be sure on a triple-digit day.
Before heading out, review the Swanston status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
5. Kathy Lund Park (Rocklin)
At 30.5 miles, one of the farther picks from Davis — pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.
Location: 6101 West Oaks Boulevard, Rocklin, CA 95765
Rocklin's longest-season splash pad, 40 minutes east from Davis — Kathy Lund Park in Rocklin, CA runs from May 15 to October 15—one of the longest seasons anywhere in the Sacramento metro. The splash pad stays open until 8 p.m. daily, including weeknights, making it flexible for various schedules. The westernmost of Rocklin's three city pads, it sits on West Oaks Boulevard with a playground and picnic areas nearby. Pair the drive with something else in Rocklin or Roseville for a full outing.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic areas, restrooms.
Parent tip: Rocklin pads run until October 15 — one of the longest seasons in the metro. This pick shines in late September when Davis gets its second heat wave and local options have already closed.
Keep tabs on routine cleanings and seasonal changes by visiting the Kathy Lund Park page directly.
How we picked these
We selected publicly operated spray parks with free admission, ground-level water features for toddlers through school-age kids, on-site restrooms, and confirmed 2026 seasonal hours. Davis proper has one dedicated splash pad; the remaining picks are within a 20-mile drive and equally worth the short trip.Planning your visit
Davis's Natalie's Corner runs daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the warm season — check cityofdavis.org for any maintenance closures before heading out. The West Sacramento and Sacramento picks are 9–18 miles away on surface streets, so mid-morning departures avoid both heat and traffic. Sunscreen, water shoes, and a change of clothes are essentials; the garden-themed features at Natalie's Corner can surprise toddlers with unexpected spray angles, so sandals that stay on are a must.For more kids' events near Davis this week, see the Davis events page.
Davis Splash Pad Checklist
- Two towels and a dry change of clothes per kid — wet swimsuits on a hot car seat are miserable.
- Water shoes — rubber soles grip wet concrete; bare feet burn on pavement between jets.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen, applied 15 min before arrival — Natalie's Corner Splash Pad and most Davis splash pads have minimal shade, so a portable canopy extends your session past midday.
- Your own water bottle — splash pad water recirculates through a filtration and chlorination system and is not safe to drink, even when it runs clear.
Swim Diapers and Water Hygiene
- Swim diapers only for children not yet potty trained — regular diapers absorb recirculating water, swell, and can contaminate the shared system. Most municipal splash pads require them.
- Don't swallow the water — it's treated recreational water, not drinking water. Repeated swallowing can cause gastrointestinal illness.
- Rinse off after with soap and water. Keep kids with open wounds or a recent stomach illness out of places like Jack Slaven Park — standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Davis Splash Pads — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Davis, CA?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 35 miles of Davis. The top picks include Natalie's Corner Splash Pad, Jack Slaven Park and Bridgeway Lakes Community Park — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are splash pads near Davis free?
Yes — every splash pad in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Natalie's Corner Splash Pad, Jack Slaven Park, Bridgeway Lakes Community Park or any of the other picks.
What is the closest splash pad to Davis?
Natalie's Corner Splash Pad is the closest pick at under a mile from Davis. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon — short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.
When do Davis splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Davis-area splash pads open Memorial Day weekend (late May) and run through Labor Day or mid-September, depending on weather and maintenance. Hours typically run 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily — check each splash pad's official page (linked in the cards above) before driving out, since closures for cleaning and weather are common.
Are the splash pads near Davis open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Davis-area pads run on heat-activated sensors or set seasonal hours (often 10 a.m.–8 p.m.), and some close one weekday for cleaning or shut off in bad weather. Before you load up the car, check the official page linked on each card above — it carries the current day's hours and status.