The summer is upon us! This is Alabama’s longest season, with temps in the 80s and 90s from May to October most years. If you’re looking for ways to cool off, here is a list of places your family can make a splash!
Fun in the Auburn Sun
Samford Pool – Open daily from May 28th – July 31st (times vary; please follow the link for hours). All visitors ages 2 and up must pay a $2 entrance fee, or you can get a family Splash Pass for $175 which covers up to 6 household members for the summer season, including special events. Individual passes, weekly, and monthly passes are also available. This facility features a main pool, diving well with low and high dive, and a children’s pool.
Chewacla State Park – Swimming is available year-round in the 26 acre Chewacla Lake (no lifeguard on duty) and there is a roped-off area around a high diving board. You can also take a dip at the base of Chewacla Falls, or follow the Boy Scout Trail for an easy hike and wading the calm creek with a sandy shore. Entrance fees are $2 for children (ages 4-11) and seniors (62+), and $4 for ages 12-61. Active and retired military and children under age 4 receive free admission. Annual passes are also available.
Fun in Opelika this Summer
Opelika SportsPlex & Aquatics Center 
– This location has an indoor zero-entry pool as well as an outdoor splash park. The splash park is open daily from May 1st through September 30th and the indoor pool is open year-round. All guests must pay a $4 usage fee for the pool and splash park or a summer pass for $40 per person. Follow Opelika Parks and Rec on Facebook and Instagram for info on their summer events, including Splash Bash Summer Games, and a float-in movie on Friday, June 17th featuring the family film, Luca. The Sportsplex pool hours vary depending on their other programs and swim meets, so please check their Aquatics calendar or call before visiting.
Covington Rec Center – Opelika’s public outdoor pool is located at the Covington Recreation Center. They will kick off the summer season with a children’s carnival on Saturday, June 4th from 11am – 2pm. This free event will feature a DJ, door prizes, food, and swimming. Following the carnival, the pool will be open every afternoon from 2pm – 5pm and costs $2 per visitor for the big pool and $1 for the baby pool. Covington Rec will host the Splish Splash Bash on Saturday, July 30th from 11am – 2pm which will include a hot dog lunch, swimming, inflatables, and more for just $1 per person.
Phenix City
Youth Sports Complex – This outdoor pool has a large, shallow area with splash features, as well as a tube slide. It will be open from May 28th – September 5th from 12pm – 6pm (Eastern time) and closed on Tuesdays. The cost is $3 per visitor.
Dadeville
D.A.R.E. Power Park – Located on Lake Martin, this park has a sandy beach and designated swimming area, although there is no lifeguard on duty. Shady picnic areas, a pavilion, large playground, and restrooms with an outdoor shower make this a great spot to spend a summer day. The park is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day as well as weekends in May and September. Free admission and parking.
Wind Creek State Park – This state park is also located on Lake Martin and offers swimming areas, picnic tables, pavilions and grills. Daily use fees are $5 for adults and $2 for ages 4-11. The park also has additional activities available for an additional fee including guided horseback trail riding, 18 hole mini golf, boat rentals, and an archery range.
Day Trips this Summer
Summer is a great time for day trips! Load up with a picnic, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, towels, change of clothes, and hit the road to some of these great options within a few hours of Lee County:
Ten of the Best Waterfalls in Alabama – Visit these beautiful, natural water features for unforgettable family memories. Amenities and accessibility vary so you might need to do a little research on the specific area you wish to visit before you set out.
Whitewater Rafting on The Chattahoochee River – Whitewater Express in downtown Columbus, GA offers three different rafting experiences starting with a 2-hour family option for kids that are at least 7 years old or 60 pounds. You can often find Groupon deals for both rafting and zipline adventures for this location! They also offer 2-hour kayak, SUP (stand-up paddleboards), and inner tube rentals for the mile-long stretch of flatwater floating on the weekends. These activities are recommended for kids ages 4 and up.
Historic Liberty Bell Pool at FDR State Park – Named for it’s bell shape and built by the CCC in 1938, this pool is open seasonally from Memorial Day – Labor Day weekends, Wednesday – Sunday. Parking for the park is $5 per vehicle (annual State Park passes available), and visitor admission to the pool is $3 for ages 0-2 and $7 for ages 3 and up. A season pass for a family of up to 6 is $100. I also recommend driving through the park and pulling at off at one of several scenic overlooks to take in the beautiful view that FDR enjoyed so much. You can also check out the nearby Little White House Museum.
Robin Lake Beach at Callaway Gardens – Among the many offerings of Callaway Gardens is the Robin Lake Beach, America’s largest inland white sand beach. For an additional fee, visitors ages 7 and up can explore the inflatable Aqua Island obstacle course. Daily gardens admission starts at $19.95 for children ages 3-11 and $26.95 for adults when you purchase tickets online. Annual memberships are also available. Parking is free.
Alabama Adventure and Splash Adventure – Located in Bessemer, AL just west of Birmingham, the whole family will enjoy this park! Daily tickets are $45 for ages 3 and up (free for 2 and under). Free unlimited soft drinks (including Gatorade, lemonade, and water), free sunscreen, free inner tubes, free life jackets, and free parking make this a great value. Season passes are also available (though they will sell out) for $100 per person and give you a 15% discount on select purchases. In the dry part of the park you’ll want to check out the newly refurbished Rampage wooden roller coaster and the new Cheddar Chase coaster opening this summer.
Rigby’s Water World – This water park is part of Rigby’s Entertainment Complex in Warner Robins, GA. Sunday and weekday tickets are $29 for guests over 42 inches and $22 for those under 42 inches. Saturday tickets are $3 more. Season passes are also available. Other activities at the complex include bowling, laser tag, arcade, go karts, mini golf, and skating for additional fees.
Six Flags White Water – This park in Marietta, GA announced the 2022 opening of a new water slide, Python Plunge. Daily tickets bought online are $30-$40 depending on the day, and you’ll also have to pre-purchase parking for $20. Season pass options that include Six Flags Over Georgia are also available. New this year is the Junior Pass which provides free admission for kids ages 3-5 for unlimited visits at both SFOG and Six Flags White Water through Labor Day. To access this pass you must visit either park by May 30th and verify their birth date by bringing a copy of their birth certificate.
Spring Valley Beach Water Park – You will find this family-owned water park in Blountsville, AL, 60 miles north of Birmingham. Amenities include free parking, free sunscreen, and the option to bring your own picnic or grill to the park. They have the largest pool in the Southeast, as well as several water slides and kid’s play area. Tickets are $24 for kids age 3 up to 48 inches, and $30 for kids and adults over 48 inches. Season passes are $78 for ages 3 and up.
OWA Tropic Falls – A brand new indoor water park is opening in Foley, AL on June 27th! Featuring a wave pool, six water slides and more, this is an expansion to OWA amusement offerings which also includes an outdoor theme park with 23 rides and attractions. Combo tickets for the theme park and indoor water park will start at $70 and season passes are also available. Tickets will go on sale beginning May 25th.
Gulf Coast Beaches – It might be a stretch for a day trip, but you can have your toes in the white sand beaches of the Gulf in just under 4 hours! You might check out Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL, or one of these spots on The Emerald Coast of Florida.
