Aquatics: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I register for swimming lessons?
A. Registration can be done online, over the phone, or in person. Visit our swimming lessons page for more information.
Q. What are your hours?
A. Hours vary by location. Please check the website for hours:
Please note that swimmers must exit the water 15 minutes before closing time to allow for time to shower, change and gather belongings prior to facility closure.
Q. Are there concessions available?
A. Yes. Concessions are offered at Como Regional Park Pool and Highland Park Aquatic Center.
There are currently no concessions at Great River Water Park, but patrons may bring in snacks and consume them while at the tables on the pool deck. No glass, peanuts, or alcohol allowed.
Q. Can I bring a cooler, snacks, or beverages with me to Como Regional Park Pool or Highland Park Aquatic Center?
A. No. Coolers and outside food or beverages are not allowed in our water parks. You may bring in water in a non-glass container. Picnic facilities and grassy areas are located nearby the water parks if you would like to leave a cooler or snacks in your car to access later in the day. Same-day reentry is free of charge. NOTE: There is no reentry if the waterpark is at capacity.
Q. Can I bring a cooler, beverages or a picnic lunch to Phalen Beach?
A. Yes. There are picnic facilities located nearby. There is no glass allowed.
Q. Is it free to swim at Phalen Beach?
A. Yes. There is no charge to swim at Phalen Beach.
Q. What are the admission prices for the water parks?
A. See each location's webpage for admission prices:
Q. Do you offer memberships?
Yes, aquatics memberships are available.
Q. I'm not going swimming. Do I still have to pay to enter the water park?
A. Yes, everyone ages 3 and up is required to purchase a swim pass.
Q. Do you have any toddler-only times?
A. Yes, please see the Como Regional Park Pool and Highland Park Aquatic Center website for times.
Q. What kinds of amenities can I expect to find?
A. All locations have different amenities. Please check the location's website for more details:
Q. Under what weather conditions do the outdoor water parks and Phalen Beach close?
A. Our number one priority is safety. If we see lightning or hear thunder, we will close the water parks and beach down and reopen 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning has been observed. We may also close if the temperature drops below 70 degrees and/or it is raining.
Q. Are flotation devices allowed in the pools?
A. For the safety of all swimmers, inflatable floatation devices, water wings, and non-Coast Guard approved aids are strictly prohibited. These items can create a false sense of security, obstruct lifeguard visibility, restrict natural swimming movements, and increase the risk of death by drowning. Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are permitted.
Q. Are life jackets allowed?
A. Yes. U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are allowed in all shallow areas at all water parks and Phalen Beach. Life jackets are also available free of charge at the aquatics office. Ask a staff person for assistance
Q. How is facility capacity determined?
A. Facility capacity limits are determined by an Aquatic Facility Supervisor. Facility capacity determinations are a real-time dynamic safety assessment that evaluates all facility operational risks. St. Paul Aquatics is a licensed American Red Cross Lifeguard provider and trainer and adhere to all required safety standards. Safety standards require a maximum number of swimmers and lifeguards per swim zone. Adhering to these standards does not allow a fixed occupancy (i.e. one in and one out). There may be capacity in deep-water swim zones but little or no capacity in shallower swim zones. This requires facility capacity to be held to prevent overcrowding a swim zone that increases the risk of death by drowning.
Q. Why is the admissions line closed for the day sometimes before the end of a swim session?
A. Admission to Como/Highland typically ends 45 minutes prior to facility close, and 30 minutes before swimmers are asked to clear the water. An Aquatic Facility Supervisor may close the admission line early due to capacity, high volumes of people waiting in line late in the day, staffing constraints, or operational safety risks. When the admissions line is closed for the day, staff will actively turn away new arrivals and will not allow a new line to queue. In the event of a long line later in the day, this determination prevents guests from waiting in line with zero to little chance of entering before the facility closes. To ensure fairness to the guests we have already turned away, we cannot grant entry to anyone who arrives after the line has been called. If you arrive late in the day and see no line at the gate, it is only because we have already turned away many guests ahead of you to prevent them from waiting without gaining entry. Had the line kept forming, you would be at the back of a very long queue with zero to little chance of getting in before closing.
Q. Can I leave the facility and reenter later in the same day?
A. Yes, provided the facility is not at capacity or reached capacity while you were away and you are wearing your wristband. If capacity is reached while you were away you should join the admission line to check-in again. You are not required to pay again, provided you still have your daily wristband. If capacity is ended for the day, you will not be allowed to re-enter.
Q. When and how are safety breaks determined and why is there no admission during breaks?
A. A standard safety break will be conducted daily at Como/Highland from 3:00PM to 3:30PM, and at the Lake Phalen Beach for ten minutes at the top of every hour. However, an Aquatic Facility Supervisor can call additional safety breaks or extended safety breaks anytime deemed necessary to mitigate operational safety risks. Safety breaks can be called due to medical emergencies, inclement weather, staffing constraints, water contamination events, large group departures, activation of the Emergency Action Plan, etc. Safety breaks are designed to renew lifeguard vigilance, allow comprehensive environmental checks, and give swimmers time to rest and hydrate. Admissions are paused during safety breaks to ensure staff can conduct critical environmental checks, renew lifeguard vigilance, and manage operational risks or emergency protocols.
Q. How do season pass holders gain entry?
A. Season pass holders should wait in the standard admission line for check-in. Please note that a season pass does not guarantee facility entry or allow you to skip the line. Pass holders are subject to the same capacity limits as daily guests and will not be admitted if the facility is full or if the admissions line has been closed for the day. The primary benefit of a membership is a significantly discounted entry rate based on frequent visits, not priority access.
Q. Are refunds or rain passes issued if the facility closes due to weather?
A. All admission sales are final. There are no offer refunds or rainchecks, including facility closures due to severe weather. Please check the local weather forecast before you purchase admission to the facility.
Q. What is your policy for people who are not toilet trained?
A. Persons who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers (waterproof diapers) or plastic pants.
Q. Is there a the height requirement for any of the rides or attractions?
A. You must be 48" or taller to jump off the cliff at Como Regional Park Pool. You must be 48" or taller to ride the big water slides at Great River Water Park and Highland Park Aquatic Center.
Q. Can I wear street shoes on the pool deck?
A. No. Street shoes and high heeled shoes are not allowed on the pool deck.
Q. Are there lockers available?
A. Yes. Lockers are available at all facilities and locks can be purchased for $5. Patrons must remove all contents of their locker at the end of each day. Personal locks left overnight will be removed. Please leave your valuables at home. Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Q. Where can I park?
A. Free parking is available at all locations.
Q. What else should I know about Saint Paul's aquatic centers?
A. In an ongoing effort to provide a safe and enjoyable pool experience for our guests, Saint Paul Parks & Recreation utilizes training exercises to improve our lifeguards’ skills and vigilance. These exercises will occur during normal operating hours and may consist of the following: submergible water mannequin, the use of video surveillance equipment, internal and external audits, and active water rescues and or first aid scenarios.
Q. Where are your splash pads located?
A. Splash pads are available to use free of charge during the summer at Parque Castillio, Conway Park, Roy Wilkins Park, and Phalen Beach. Highland Park Aquatic Center also has a splash pad available for use with paid water park admission.