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Most of the time, dogs aren’t allowed in the outdoor pool and splash pad at Piedmont Park Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia. However, for two wonderful days at the end of every summer, the city’s dogs get their day in the sun—and in the pool.
Piedmont Park’s annual Splish Splash Doggie Bash invites pups from across the Atlanta metro area to dive in for a dogs-only day at the pool before it officially closes for the season. The event is fun for dogs (and their humans), but it also serves a greater purpose: the entry fees provide critical funds to help maintain Piedmont Dog Parks.
“Everyone knows that Piedmont Park is a hot spot for dogs,” says Dominic Tricase, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Piedmont Park Conservancy. “With over 700,000 visitors to the dog parks each year, we rely on supporters to ensure every pup can have an off-leash experience in our Dog Parks.”
At Nashville Shores, a water park outside of Nashville, Tennessee, the annual Pooch Pool Party brings in around 700 dogs each year, all while raising money for charity. The event is not just a favorite of the nearby dog community, but the staff, too.
“The entire Nashville Shores team looks forward to the Pooch Pool Party every year,” says Daniel Strobel, Director of Marketing. “The Pooch Pool Party is one of our favorite events, and the excitement and joy on the dogs’ faces is priceless.”
These events are just two of the doggie swim days that take place across the USA each year in late summer and early fall.
In no particular order, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 of the most popular, longest-standing, and all-out fun dog swim days from coast to coast.
1. PigDog Puppapalooza at Morey’s Piers and Water Parks (Wildwood, NJ)
Morey’s Piers and Water Parks has been entertaining two-footed Jersey Shore visitors for more than fifty years, but the park opens its gates for four-footed guests every year for the PigDog Puppapalooza. The one-day event benefits local organization Beacon Animal Rescue and includes a one-mile beach walk, an hour of splashing in the park’s river and pool, and an extended “yappy hour” at the beachside bar. Each attending pup even gets a swag bag of goodies to take home. Event Date: September 9, 2023
2. Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Piedmont Park (Atlanta, GA)
Held in early- to mid-October, the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center welcomes pups of all ages for not just one, but two days of splashing around in the park’s outdoor pool. The annual Splish Splash Doggie Bash helps to fund upkeep (and a whole lot of doggie poo bags) at the Piedmont Dog Parks, a popular three-acre play area for pups in the center of the city. Around 800 dogs participate in the bash each year, with several time slots spread across the days. Event Date: TBD
3. End of Summer Dog Pool Pawty at Liberty Lagoon (Baton Rouge, LA)
Louisiana’s sticky heat is no match for the End of Summer Pool Pawty held annually at Liberty Lagoon, an interactive water park owned and managed by the city of Baton Rouge. The park features a splash pad, several spray stations, water slides (at least some of which pups can play on), and fun buckets of water that periodically fill and dump into the pool below. Two-hour time slots offer dedicated times for small dogs, big dogs, and dogs of all sizes. Event Date: September 16, 2023
4. Pooch Pool Party at Nashville Shores (Hermitage, TN)
The Pooch Pool Party at Nashville Shores Water Park raises thousands of dollars every year for partner organization New Leash on Life. Dogs can chase waves in the park’s wave pool, chill out in the lazy river, and frolic on the splash pad. Dog-friendly vendors, a K9 cooling station, and a space for playing fetch on land round out the fun event. Event Date: September 23, 2023
5. Wags & Waves at Hawaiian Waters (Garland, TX)
Held at a private water park in late September, Wags and Waves is a collaborative event raising money for several Dallas-Fort Worth area rescue organizations. The event has been held every summer for well over a decade and hosts more than 1,000 area dogs each year. Dogs can splash in the wave pool, relax in the lazy river, or even chill out in a couple of lounge chairs, soaking up the last of the Texas summer sun. Event Date: TBD
6. Doggie Dip at Rolling Hills Water Park (Ypsilanti, MI)
The Doggie Dip at Rolling Hills Water Park marks the unofficial end of summer in southeastern Michigan. The event is hosted by the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Department on the first Saturday after Labor Day. Dogs of all sizes are invited to float the lazy river, paddle in the pool, or try their luck on one of the park’s water slides. In the past, the event has offered four time slots, each dedicated to dogs of a certain size, to help ensure that all pups can play safely and happily. Event Date: TBD
7. K9Splash! at Bever Park Pool (Cedar Rapids, IA)
More than 600 dogs show up each year at the K9Splash! doggie pool party held at Bever Park Pool. The two-day event is an important fundraiser for Citizens for Off-Leash Areas. K9COLA, as it’s more commonly called, is a local advocacy organization working to maintain and expand off-leash dog areas in and around Cedar Rapids. The pool party invites pups to doggie paddle and play in the pool. One hour each day is set aside for small pups to paddle around before the big dogs arrive. Event Date: August 5th and 6th, 2023
8. Pooch Party Stroll & Splash at Lakeview Pool (Nampa, ID)
The Pooch Party Stroll & Splash at Lakeview pool has been a hallmark of late summer in the Boise metro area for more than 15 years. Started in 2007 to raise money for the city’s first dog park, the event has evolved from a simple dog pool party to a full end-of-summer bash, with a one-mile walk followed by plenty of time to play in the pool. Booths with dog-friendly vendors, costume contests, and other entertainment add to the fair-like atmosphere. Event Date: August 26th, 2023
9. Dog Daze at the Bay (Broomfield, CO)
Colorado’s swimming season isn’t officially over until the annual Dog Daze at the Bay event each fall, hosted by the city’s recreation department (called B-REx for short). Pups can spend the day splashing around in the pool at The Bay Aquatic Park, which staffers fill with tennis balls and other engaging water toys. The family-friendly event, which has been called “the best day of the year” by some attendees, is so popular that it attracts pups from across the entire Denver metro area. Event Date: September 9, 2023
10. Dog Day at Osborn Aquatic Center (Corvallis, OR)
Each fall, the City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department hosts Dog Day at the Osborn Aquatic Center. The festivities for four-footed friends are held at the center’s outdoor water park, Otter Beach, where dogs can splash in water fountains, float in the lazy river, and slip down one of the park’s water slides. The event supports scholarships that help community members participate in the city’s parks and recreation programs year-round. Event Date: TBD
How to Find a Dog Pool Day Near You
Doggie swim days typically take place immediately following the close of the season for human swimming, but before the facilities are cleaned and locked up for the winter months. In colder climates, that may be as early as August, while summer activities stretch well into September or even October in warmer areas.
To find a pool party for your pups this summer, start with your local parks and recreation department, either searching online or by giving them a call. In some areas, privately owned water parks may offer another dog-friendly option for a day at the pool.
Can’t find anything nearby? Many events welcome non-residents to take part in the fun, if you’re up for a roadtrip—don’t forget to bring your towels!