The Grimes Brief

Guide · Swimming

Where to swim and cool off in and near Grimes.

A hot Iowa July raises one question fast: where do we swim? Here is the honest answer for Grimes, which has a great splash pad but no traditional pool of its own yet.

The short version

Grimes does not have a municipal swimming pool. Its public water amenity is the free Waterworks Park splash pad. For lap or open swimming, the nearest pools are in Urbandale and Johnston.

In Grimes

The Waterworks Park splash pad

The city's water feature is the splash pad at Waterworks Park (100 N James St), which is free and runs daily in season, roughly late May through early September, turning on at 10 a.m. and off at 8 p.m. It is aimed at younger kids and a great free way to beat the heat.

Nearby pools

For actual swimming

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Sources: City of Grimes Waterworks Park splash pad page; Urbandale and Johnston aquatics facilities. Splash pad season dates vary by year, confirm before you go. Preview build, September 2026.