By Julie Hooker

Regardless of whether you are training for the summer Olympics, soaking in the sun while sipping cool slushy beverages, or simply splish-splashing the summer away, cool pools are filled with fun. Enjoy our tour of the coolest pools around.

BASIN RECREATION The Basin Recreation Splashpad makes quite an attraction for refreshing summertime fun. Kids can play in the spray fountains and puddles while parents watch from the boulders placed around the water park. And best of all— the water is heated. After a hike, ride, or workout, everyone enjoys cooling off in the Basin Fieldhouse splash pad.

PARK CITY MARC The MARC’s aquatic center features two outdoor pools: the Lap Pool, a six-lane, 25-yard pool for open lap swims and swim team workouts, and the Leisure Pool, a family-friendly pool with a waterslide, lazy river and water fountain play feature. Check out their Aquatics Calendar to sign up for swim lessons and see available open swim times, events and activities.

SILVER MOUNTAIN SPORTS CLUB & SPA Each day, hundreds of locals hang out at the Silver Mountain pool. Owner Stanton Jones explains, “There is a great muscle beach with traveling rings and other fun devices.” The family pool includes a waterslide and lazy river. Silver Mountain is also host to a Junior Olympic lap pool and hot tubs. Guests can enjoy plenty of shade while eating barbecue and drinking smoothies delivered directly to the lounge chairs.

ECKER HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL At the Park City School District Aquatic Center at Ecker Hill Middle School, one can get both wet and fit. The Park City Aquatic Center (PCAC) offers swimming and diving lessons along with open swim, lap swim, water fitness classes and even SCUBA. The PCAC is also available for special events and parties.

SOUTH SUMMIT AQUATIC CENTER Located in neighboring Kamas and attached to the local middle school, the South Summit Aquatics and Fitness Center is one of the best-kept local secrets in the Wasatch Back. With three different pools, there’s something to explore for everyone in the family.

Aquatics Director Kelly Jacobs explains “Our leisure pool is probably the ‘coolest’ because it has the most fun features including water hoses, slides, a lazy river and is kept at 89 degrees.” In addition, there is a spa for relaxation with jets to massage weary legs. The facility is also home to a six-lane competition pool with two diving boards.

UTAH HOGLE ZOO LIGHTHOUSE POINT SPLASH ZONE Opening last August, the Lighthouse Splash Zone has been a waterworld of fun for zoo guests. Kids of all ages are enjoying the lighthouse slide—a twisty tube slide that gives amazing views of Rocky Shores from the top, with a fun (and dry) slide down. The shipwreck lets kids pretend to be pirates, with plenty to climb on and a wheel to steer (great photo ops for the parents too). One of the most popular sections
of the splash zone is the tide pool where visitors can enjoy exploring, looking for starfish and other critters.

HOMESTEAD CRATER Located in nearby Midway, the Homestead Crater boasts a year-round temperature of 95 degrees. Folks can soak on the surface in the warm waters, or for the more adventurous, snorkel or sign up for SCUBA. Enter the crater through a tunnel carved into rock that opens onto a small deck inside the 55-foot dome. Enjoy the cool archeology of the Crater and its soothing and relaxing mineral waters.

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