Raleigh summer 2027: city camp sign-ups in February, four summer pools that open Memorial Day weekend, free splash pads, and pool fees.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the City of Raleigh’s own camp, aquatics and splash pad pages, linked below. The 2027 camp guide is not out yet, so camp dates and fees below are from 2026.
Summer in Raleigh means city day camps from mid-June, four outdoor pools that open on Memorial Day weekend, and free splash pads downtown. The planning starts early: camp registration opens in mid-February.
Who to call
- Camp registration: camp.registration@raleighnc.gov; RecLink help, 919-996-2153
- Raleigh Parks registration line: 919-996-4800
- Pullen Aquatic Center: 919-996-6197
- Emergency: 911
Summer camps
Summer X-Press, the city’s main day camp, is for ages 6 to 11. In 2026 it ran June 15 to Aug. 14 at 21 community centers across Raleigh, from Abbotts Creek to Worthdale, for $100 a week. Camp runs 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with drop-off from 7:30 a.m. and pickup by 6 p.m. Days mix arts and crafts, sports, games, field trips and swimming. Bring a lunch, a refillable water bottle and two snacks; some sites take part in the Wake County schools’ meal program (Summer X-Press page).
Teen X-Treme camps, typically for ages 12 to 17, run at Abbotts Creek, Biltmore Hills, Marsh Creek, Method Road and Tarboro Road (at St. Monica’s). The city also runs specialty camps, from science and nature to coding and sports, and camps through its Specialized Recreation and Inclusion Services, all listed in the 2026 summer camp brochure.
How registration worked in 2026:
- Online registration on RecLink opened Monday, Feb. 16, staggered by location over Feb. 16-18, starting at 6:30 a.m. each day.
- Walk-in registration began Monday, March 9.
- Make sure you can log in to RecLink and that your household’s residency status is right before registration day, the city says.
- Payment plans and financial assistance are available for Summer X-Press, Teen X-Treme and several other camps (summer camps page).
Pools
Raleigh runs eight pools and aquatic centers (aquatics page).
Year-round (indoor): Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center, 5908 Buffaloe Road; Millbrook Exchange Pool, 1905 Spring Forest Road; Optimist Pool, 5902 Whittier Drive; and Pullen Aquatic Center, 410 Ashe Ave.
Summer pools: Biltmore Hills Pool, 701 Crown Crossing Lane; Lake Johnson Pool, 5623 Jaguar Park Drive; Longview Pool, 321 Bertie Drive; and Ridge Road Pool, 1709 Ridge Road. The city says its summer pools open on Memorial Day weekend. All four list themselves as closed until summer 2027, and Lake Johnson Pool is being renovated.
| Daily admission | Ages 1 to 12 | Ages 13 to 54 | Ages 55 and up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pullen, Optimist and Millbrook | $2 resident, $3 nonresident | $6 resident, $9 nonresident | $5 resident, $7 nonresident |
| Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center | $4 resident, $7 nonresident | $9 resident, $16 nonresident | $7 resident, $12 nonresident |
The city’s aquatics page puts the summer pools in the first row, but its splash pad page lists lower summer pool rates ($5 resident for ages 13 to 54 and $4 for 55 and up), so check at the gate. Children 12 and younger must come with a paying adult 16 or older. Monthly and annual passes are sold only at the year-round pools, not online.
Splash pads
Free, no lifeguard: open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from April to October, weather permitting (splash pad page):
- John Chavis Memorial Park, 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
- Moore Square, 225 E. Martin St.
- Gipson Play Plaza at Dorothea Dix Park, 715 Biggs Drive
Children must be supervised by an adult, swim diapers are required for children who are not potty trained, and pets, food and glass are not allowed.
At the pools: Biltmore Hills, Lake Johnson and Ridge Road pools have splash pads included with pool admission.
What this means for you
- Mark mid-February: camp sign-ups open by location, early in the morning.
- Check the splash pads first for a free hot-day outing; they shut off in bad weather.
- For more ideas, see our kids’ activities guide and parks and trails guide. The Fourth of July is on our fireworks page.
Frequently asked questions
When does Raleigh summer camp registration open?
In 2026 Raleigh Parks opened online summer camp registration Feb. 16-18, staggered by location and starting at 6:30 a.m. each day on RecLink, with walk-in registration from March 9. Watch for 2027 dates in January.
How much is Raleigh’s Summer X-Press camp?
In 2026 Summer X-Press cost $100 a week for ages 6 to 11 and ran June 15 to Aug. 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with drop-off from 7:30 a.m. and pickup by 6 p.m.
When do Raleigh’s outdoor pools open?
The city’s summer pools open on Memorial Day weekend, the city says. Biltmore Hills, Lake Johnson, Longview and Ridge Road pools are closed until summer 2027.
Are there free splash pads in Raleigh?
Yes. The splash pads at John Chavis Memorial Park, Moore Square and Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park are free, open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from April to October, weather permitting.
How much does it cost to swim at a Raleigh pool?
At Pullen, Optimist and Millbrook, a day pass for a resident is $2 for ages 1 to 12, $6 for ages 13 to 54 and $5 for 55 and up. Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center costs more.
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