Summers in southwestern PA can definitely get toasty. As a mostly stay at home mom, we have definitely made our rounds visiting public pools in the area to cool off so I thought I would create a guide to share some information.

Before I get into public pools, here is a little big of background of how I’ve spent my summers cooling off with my three kids at home.

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Because we don’t have a pool, I thrifted, invested, or was gifted some products for water play in the backyard. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Bounce Houses – I impulsively purchased our first bounce house from Walmart. I feel it was a good purchase. We used it so much and it lasted us about 4 years. It wasn’t necessarily a water bounce house, but we added water to the pool in it at the bottom of the slide. It was a little smaller for my younger children. Then, we upgraded to a larger bounce house from Sam’s Club which we have also been happy with. I chose this one from Sam’s Club because of the price, because it had a bouncing area and slide, and because it can be used dry or wet. There are so many options for bounces houses out there.
  • Slip N Slide – Someone gifted us a random slip n slide which has worked fine for us. I might be interested in one like this if we decide to replace.
  • Water table – a water table definitely came in handy when my kids were babies and toddlers
  • Squirt Guns – squirt guns and squirt toys
  • Water Balloons – rapid filling water balloons and reusable water balloons
  • Splash Pad – I never ended up purchasing a splash pad, but they look fun. We just used a sprinkler.

Then there were times I would get everything out in my yard and the kids wouldn’t play with it. It was time to venture out, but I didn’t feel comfortable taking the kids to a pool without help. That was when we started spending a lot of time at splash pads.

If you are interested in splash pads, check out a separate post I created. – A Guide to Splash Pads In and Near Fayette County, PA

Eventually, I started to head to venture to public pools with my kids, first with some help from friends and family,, then eventually weaning to feeling comfortable taking them by myself.

Here is some of my favorite gear for a day at the pool with my family:

  • Puddle Jumper – While there are many swim aids out there, my favorite device for my children has been puddle jumpers.
  • Blanket – I found a similar zip up blanket at Aldi.
  • Boggs Bag – I caved on a Boggs Bag for a local school fundraiser, and I’m very happy with this purchase.
  • Snackle Box – If pools allow us to take in snacks, I always pack a snackle box for my kids. I’m considering upgrading to one with an ice pack.
  • Water Bottles – Insulated Owala water bottles are my favorite.
  • Carabiner – A carabiner comes in handy when carrying items to the pool along with kids. I often clip blankets, water bottles, etc. to my pool bag.

Now take a closer look at some local pools we have visited.

Franklin Township Community Park – “Flatwoods”

  • Address: 120 Warchol Road, Vanderbilt, PA
  • Facebook page
  • Pool features: zero entry, splash features, slides, diving board, some umbrellla/turf areas but mostly grassy hillside, concession stand
  • Park features: pavilions, walking path, playground
  • Takeaways: This is the closest public pool to us so we visit it a lot. I will say it does get crowded so when my kids were little, I usually didn’t go without some help. Season passes are available.

Mon View Park

  • Address: 377 Stoney Hill Rd, Greensboro, PA
  • Facebook page
  • Website
  • Pool features – separate fenced in baby pool, one large pool with slide and climbing wall
  • Park features – pavilions, playground, baseball fields, Mon View Roller Rink
  • Takeaways: I grew up going to this pool, so I have a soft spot for Mon View. Pool passes are available. While this is a little further of a drive for us, we make the drive often because it is less crowded and I feel like I have better line of sight. There isn’t a ton going on at this pool which I actually appreciate.

Greene County Water Park

Laurelville Retreat Center

  • Address – 941 Laurelville Ln, Mt Pleasant, PA
  • Website
  • Facebook page
  • Pool features – zero entry, slides, heated pool, basketball hoops, heated water, snack shop
  • Retreat center features – hiking trails, playground, mini golf, sports courts, and more
  • Takeaways: This is a retreat center with camps and other events going on. But you can visit the pool with a day pass which also gives you access to all outdoor recreation activities. There may be some dates the retreat center is not open to the public so I would suggest giving them a call to check before you go.

Pine Cove Beach Club and RV Resort

  • Address: 1495 Rte 481, Charleroi, PA
  • Website
  • Facebook page
  • Pool features – tarzan swing, diving board, 1ft area and baby slide, spray features, water basketball and volleyball, slides, trampoline
  • Takeaways: We discovered this pool by being invited to a birthday party. It is a large pool with a lot going on and we had a blast. You have to be a member to visit this pool. But if you know someone who is a member, I think they can take guests on certain days.

Krepps Pool

  • Address: 1235 Parkview Dr, Morgantown, WV
  • Website
  • Facebook page
  • Pool features – pirate themed baby pool area, diving board, concession stand, season passes
  • Takeaways – I haven’t been to this one in a while, but I remember really liking the baby pool for when my kids were toddlers and we enjoyed playing at the playground at the park too. Within BOPARC is also Marilla Pool which has recently been renovated. I haven’t visited it yet, but I definitely want to check it out.

Mylan Park Aquatic Center

Ryerson Station State Park

  • Address: 361 Bristoria Rd, Graysville Rd, PA
  • Website
  • Pool features – zero entry, slide, splash pad area
  • Takeaways – Although this one was a little further away I wanted to go check it out because I thought it was interesting to have a pool in a PA state park. I really liked this pool and I believe it was free to enter. We also did a hike on the day we went and I noticed there are cabins are available and I’d love to return to camp sometime. FYI I had poor cell service in this area.

Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Mill Run

Wana B Park (closed)

  • Address: 355 Ceylon Road, Carmichaels, PA
  • Wesbite
  • Facebook page
  • Takeaways – I believe this pool is currently closed. I’m not sure if and when it might reopen, but figured I’d share my pictures. We enjoyed the pool and playground and I hope to see it repoen.

Veterans’ Memorial Pool

Other Pools

Here is a list of pools I have not yet visited but would like to someday:

Linden Hall

Marilla Pool

Boyce Park Wave Pool

Other Ways to Cool Off

Another way to cool off that we have utilized is natural waterslides. The Natural Waterslides in Ohiopyle State Park are a popular spot, but a little rough for us. We enjoy hiking to Flat Rock further up Meadow Run for a calmer natural waterslide. We also enjoyed a natural waterslide at Flat Rock in Linn Run State Park.

We also enjoy visiting lake beaches. Visit a separate post featuring a list of local lake beaches.

I hope you found this guide to local public pools helpful. If you visit a public pool, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@adventureswkelly) so I can see your adventures.