FunKidsActivities

Holding Park Pool

133 W Owen Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA

Overview

Category:Indoor Water Parks
Location:Raleigh, NC

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Holding Park Pool stands out as a highly-rated outdoor aquatic facility offering excellent value, featuring two water slides, a diving board, a main pool (4FT-12FT deep), and a uniquely fenced-in splash pad ideal for younger children. Its consistent cleanliness, strong lifeguard presence, and convenient online booking system make it a worthwhile destination even for those driving up to an hour.

Key Highlights

  • Consistently clean main pool, restrooms, and changing rooms.
  • Dedicated, fenced-in Splash Pad, providing extra security for parents watching multiple young children.
  • Comprehensive lifeguard coverage in "every section."
  • Variety of water attractions: two water slides, an actual pool, and a diving board.
  • Availability of both pool chairs and covered picnic tables for seating and shade.
  • Organized and fun holiday activities (e.g., Fourth of July).
  • Swimming lessons offered (morning classes mentioned).

Standout Features

  • Fenced-in Splash Pad.
  • Two water slides and a diving board.
  • Cleanliness of all facilities (pool, bathrooms, changing rooms).
  • Covered picnic tables and pool chairs for comfort and shade.
  • Free strong WiFi.
  • Reasonably priced concessions.
  • Convenient online advance registration and payment.
  • Strong lifeguard presence.
  • Outdoor pool with varying depths (4FT-12FT).

Perfect For

Toddlers & Young Children (2+ years): Excellent due to the "fenced-in Splash Pad" and overall clean, supervised environment. A reviewer plans to bring their 2-year-old.
School-Aged Children: Well-catered with "two water slides" and a "diving board" for active play and swimming lessons.

Ideal For

Families with young children (2+) seeking a safe, clean, and engaging outdoor water experience.
Parents looking for a venue with good supervision, especially with multiple children.
Anyone looking for an affordable and fun day out at a pool, even if it involves a moderate drive (45min-1hr mentioned as worth it).
Families interested in organized holiday events or swimming lessons.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Always register and pay online in advance to guarantee entry.
  • Bring your own pre-filled water bottles, as drinking fountains may not be functional; otherwise, be prepared to purchase reasonably priced water from concessions.
  • If driving, plan to arrive later in the morning (after 11 am) to utilize the alternative parking area behind the main lot, or be prepared for limited main spots.
  • Be aware that certain seasons might bring flying insects like 'Flying Ants.'
  • Consider enrolling children in swimming lessons offered (morning classes).

Things to Consider

  • Potentially non-functional drinking fountains, requiring purchase of water or bringing own.
  • Seasonal issue with "Flying Ants" which can be annoying during visits.
  • Limited main parking spots, though alternative parking is available behind the lot after 11 am.

Price & Value

Excellent value for money, with activities like slides and a diving board available at a 'very reasonably priced' admission. Concessions are also noted as 'very reasonably priced.'

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews. The fenced splash pad contributes to safety for younger children.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Concessions are available and offer 'very reasonably priced' items like water. No explicit mention of outside food or drink policy, but the issue with drinking fountains implies bringing your own drinks is advisable.

🚗Parking Info

  • Limited parking spots in the main lot. However, an alternative parking area is available behind the main spots for those arriving after 11 am.

👥Crowd Levels

  • No specific details on crowd levels were provided, though the requirement for online reservation and payment suggests controlled capacity. One reviewer drove an hour due to other places being full, implying it's a good alternative.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Fenced-in Splash Pad.
  • Lifeguards in every section.
  • Outdoor pool with depths ranging from 4FT to 12FT.
  • Clean environment contributes to overall safety.

When to Avoid

  • Visiting if you are highly sensitive to seasonal flying insects, as 'Flying Ants' were reported during one visit.
  • Arriving without prior online registration and payment.

Pricing/Package/Events

Pricing & Packages

Punch Pass (Resident)

$60

Duration: 20 daily swim sessions

For Wake Forest residents.

Includes:
  • 20 daily swim sessions
Ages: All Ages

Punch Pass (Non-Resident)

$100

Duration: 20 daily swim sessions

For non-Wake Forest residents.

Includes:
  • 20 daily swim sessions
Ages: All Ages

Events & Schedule

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Use hand sanitizer.
  • Maintain a social distance of six feet from others.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

📅Booking Policy

  • Patrons must register and pay online for each session in advance.
  • Walk-ins will be allowed if space permits.
  • Pre-registration opens 14 days in advance.
  • Pre-registration closes when full.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 3, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

  • Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Tobie Sparks

Tobie Sparks

a year ago

We drove an hour to go here due to everything else near us being full and I don't regret it at all! Nice clean pool, clean bathrooms, and friendly lifeguards. Loved the fenced-in Splash Pad! Better to be safe than sorry! Ideal for parents with more than one little there trying to watch. There were lifeguards in every section. Register and pay in advance online. Had both pool chairs and covered picnic tables. Two water slides and an actual pool as well. I only had two cons. 1) I couldn't find a workable drinking fountain to fill up our water bottles so we had to buy some from the concession which were thankfully very reasonably priced. 2) I was bombarded with Flying Ants for most of my visit. Which isn't the pool's fault. It's a seasonal thing but annoying. I can't wait to visit again in future and plan to bring my 2 year old along with me :)

Angie Hartley

Angie Hartley

a year ago

I registered my kids for swimming lesson here (morning class). It is outdoor pool (4FT~12FT). The pool is always cleaned. They also have many picnic tables under the shade. Free strong WiFi, The restrooms and changing rooms are cleaned. You will have to reserve the time and pay online before you come. So far this place is good, except the limited parking spots. But you can also park at the area behind the parking spots if you come after 11 am.

Jane Whitson

Jane Whitson

a year ago

Great environment, so much fun. The slides are my son's favorite part. He did his first flip off the diving board. And very reasonably priced. It's a 45 min drive for us. But worth it in my opinion

Laura Williams

Laura Williams

2 years ago

Fourth of July activities for the kids are amazing and so much fun!! Thank you so much for helping make the 4th so special for so many!!

Cyndi Riegger-Ludwig

Cyndi Riegger-Ludwig

9 months ago

Really fun pool to bring the family! My son loves it and we love the waterslides!

Contact Information

133 W Owen Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 – 7:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.3
Total Reviews215
Recent Reviews5