Memphis summer guide: free city day camps for ages 5 to 15, free city pools for residents, splash pad hours and the Shelby Farms Sprayground, from 2026 dates.
Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Everything here comes from Memphis Parks (the City of Memphis parks division), Shelby Farms Park and the Children’s Museum of Memphis. 2027 dates were not out yet, so the dates below are 2026’s; we will update them in spring.
Summer in Memphis runs on free city programs. In 2026 the City of Memphis ran free day camps from June 1 to July 24, opened its splash pads on May 23, and opened its outdoor pools on June 9, all free to Memphis residents. MSCS students finish the 2026-27 year on Thursday, May 20, 2027. For parks questions, use the Memphis Parks contact page or call Memphis 311, 901-636-6500.
Get ready in spring
- Memphis Parks membership profile: create it on RecDesk, then get the card printed at a community center
- Camp registration: Memphis Parks summer camp
- Swim lessons: register and pay on RecDesk
City summer camps
From the Memphis Parks summer camp page, 2026:
- City of Memphis Summer Camp: June 1 to July 24 (no camp June 19 or July 4), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., pickup by 5 p.m. Free to City of Memphis residents. Ages 5 to 12 at every city community center except the Raymond Skinner Center.
- Teen camp, ages 13 to 15, at the Bert Ferguson, Ed Rice, Hickory Hill, Lester, Riverview and Whitehaven community centers.
- Play Your Park drop-in camp: free, Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., ages 5 to 15, lunch provided, at Bickford, Frayser, David Carnes, Marquette, Bert Ferguson, Rozelle-Anderson and Robert Howze parks.
To apply, parents upload a driver’s license or state ID, the camper’s birth certificate, proof of guardianship and proof of residency, such as a recent MLGW bill. Campers need a camp T-shirt for field trips, closed-toe shoes every day, and must be signed in and out by a listed adult.
City pools
City pools are free and open to Memphis residents. First create a Memphis Parks membership profile online, then visit a community center to have the card printed (Memphis Parks aquatics).
Outdoor pools, summer 2026: June 9 to July 25, Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m.; all outdoor pools are closed Sunday and Monday, and pools are cleared 30 minutes before closing.
| Pool | Address |
|---|---|
| Douglass | 1616 Ash St. |
| Ed Rice | 2935 N. Watkins St. |
| Gooch | 1974 Hunter Ave. |
| Raleigh | 3678 Powers Road |
| Riverview | 1891 Kansas St. |
| Westwood (opened about July 1 in 2026) | 810 Western Park Drive |
| Willow | 4791 Willow Road |
Indoor pools: Bickford Aquatic Center, 235 Henry Ave., 901-636-0708; Orange Mound Community Center Pool, 2590 Park Ave., 901-636-6620, heated to 90 degrees; and Raymond Skinner Pool, 712 Tanglewood St., 901-636-1900, for adaptive programs only. Hickory Hill offers water aerobics (901-636-0781).
Swim lessons: ten 45-minute lessons a session at Bickford, Orange Mound and Hickory Hill; $25 a session for ages 5 to 17 and $48 for adults, paid online through RecDesk.
Splash pads
City splash pads, 2026 hours: May 23 to Aug. 2, 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., then Aug. 3 to Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Locations: David Carnes, Douglass, Hollywood, McFarland, Orange Mound, Peabody and Whitehaven parks (Memphis Parks aquatics).
Two more water play areas:
- Water Play Sprayground at Shelby Farms Park: a 4,000-square-foot play space with a water tunnel, spray jets, water pumps and geyser boulders. It is unsupervised, capacity is limited and the park recommends reservations; children under 3 need an adult in the play area (Water Play Sprayground).
- H2Oh! Splash Park at the Children’s Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central Ave.: open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day, as an add-on to museum admission (visit page).
The 901 Pass
The city’s free 901 Pass gives Memphis residents access to programs and special events at city community centers, senior centers and aquatics centers, plus free Memphis Zoo admission on Tuesdays. Bring one ID and two current proofs of residency to one of the two locations that print the cards.
What this means for you
- Set up the Memphis Parks profile and card in spring, before pools open.
- Camp is free but asks for documents; gather the birth certificate and an MLGW bill early.
- Splash pads open on Memorial Day weekend; outdoor pools open in June and close Sundays and Mondays.
Related: kids’ activities, Memorial Day and parks and trails.
Frequently asked questions
Are Memphis city pools free?
Yes. City pools are free to Memphis residents. Create a Memphis Parks membership profile online, then get a membership card printed at a community center.
When do Memphis outdoor pools open?
In 2026 the city’s outdoor pools ran June 9 to July 25, Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m., and were closed Sunday and Monday. 2027 dates were not out when we checked.
Is the City of Memphis summer camp free?
Yes, for City of Memphis residents. In 2026 it ran June 1 to July 24, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at community centers for ages 5 to 12, with teen camp for ages 13 to 15 at six centers.
When are Memphis splash pads open?
In 2026 city splash pads ran May 23 to Aug. 2 from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., then Aug. 3 to Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
What is the 901 Pass?
A free City of Memphis card that gives residents access to programs and events at city community centers, senior centers and aquatics centers, plus free Memphis Zoo admission on Tuesdays.
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