A little more than an hour northeast of Indianapolis, Splash House in Marion is a city-run outdoor water park with more than a basic pool setup. Families will find a lazy river, large wave pool, two racer slides, the Big Flush slide and a kiddie play area with a play pad and large dumping bucket.
It is not as close as a neighborhood splash pad, but for families looking for a bigger summer water day without committing to a full theme park, Splash House has enough going on to make the drive feel more reasonable.
Related: Looking for more places to cool off? Check out our guide to Indiana water parks and our full list of summer activities around Indianapolis.
Splash House water park in Marion
Splash House is operated by the City of Marion Parks & Recreation Department and is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend to mid-August. The water park is built for a mix of ages, which is helpful when one kid wants the lazy river and another wants to launch themselves down a slide as many times as humanly possible.
The park’s biggest draw for families is the variety. Younger kids have a dedicated kiddie play area, older kids can head for the racer slides and families can float, swim or sit between rounds. It is the kind of place where the day can be as active or as lazy as the group allows.
What kids will find at Splash House
Lazy river
The lazy river is one of the easier wins for mixed-age families. It gives kids a break from climbing stairs for slides, and it gives parents a chance to float for a few minutes without pretending they are not tired. Park rules say guests must stay in a tube while using the lazy river, and children must be supervised by an adult.
Wave pool
Splash House also has a large wave pool, which helps separate it from smaller community pools and splash pads. According to the park’s policies, waves alternate on and off at regular intervals, and children under 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult who is 18 or older in the wave pool. The park also runs a designated Power Hour with larger waves, and guests under 48 inches are not allowed in the pool during that window.
Slides
The bigger slide lineup includes two racer slides and the Big Flush slide. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride the twin racers and the bowl slide, so this part of the park is better for taller kids, tweens and teens. For families with younger kids, it is worth checking heights before promising unlimited slide time. That conversation is always more fun before you get there.
Kiddie play area
Younger kids have a separate kiddie area with a play pad and large dumping bucket. The park’s posted policies say children must be supervised by an adult in the kiddie area, and no one over 48 inches may use the kiddie equipment.
Good to know before you go
Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Outside coolers, glass, food and drinks are not permitted inside Splash House, so plan on using the concession stand or eating before or after the visit. Proper bathing attire is required, and children who are not toilet trained must wear approved swim diapers.
Splash House is an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free facility, and smoking and vaping are not allowed. Bags may be searched before entering or re-entering the park. The park also notes that it may close because of low attendance, bad weather or other conditions, and it does not issue refunds or rain checks. Splash House will not open at all if the temperature is 65 degrees or lower, worth remembering on a cool June morning.
One detail worth watching: Splash House says it is only open on weekends after the first weekend in August as the season winds down. If you are planning a late-summer weekday trip, check the official site before loading towels, snacks and children who have already been promised a water park.
Admission and season passes
General admission is $10 for adults, $8 for children ages 3 to 17, $7 for seniors ages 55 and older and free for children 2 and younger.
Season passes are also available. Individual season passes are $100, and a family of four season pass is $200, with each additional person costing $40. Splash House offers a preseason discount of $25 off season passes when purchased by the Friday before Memorial Day.
Birthday parties and rentals
Splash House has an event room available for rentals. The rental is $250, which includes private use of the room all day, park admission for 20 people, free fountain drinks for the first two hours of the party and a Splash House collector’s cup for the birthday guest. Additional guests are $7 per person.
Families renting the event room may bring refreshments for the party, but food must stay in the event room. The room rental also includes use of a refrigerator and freezer if needed. Call 765-668-1794 for reservations.
Plan your visit
Splash House
Location: 2601 S. Adams St., Marion, IN 46953
Season: Memorial Day weekend to mid-August
Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday; noon–6 p.m. Sunday; closed Mondays except holidays
Late-season schedule: Weekends only after the first weekend in August
Admission: $10 adults; $8 children ages 3 to 17; $7 seniors ages 55 and older; free for children 2 and younger
Phone: 765-668-1794
Website: cityofmarion.in.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/splash-house
For more summer day-trip ideas, check out our guide to day trips from Indianapolis.
