Book a getaway to Greater Lansing and find five great ways to beat the heat. If you’re looking to keep the kids happy and busy and tired by the day’s end, look no further. A visit to Hawk Island Park is a good start. It’s hard to imagine you’re in the city limits at this park complete with playground equipment, a beach and man-made lake, pedal boats and the coolest splash pad ever. Or head over to the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center for a large zero-depth entry pool, wet and dry sand area, splash pad and some really fun slides into the pool.

1.    Hawk Island Park 1601 E Cavanaugh Rd, Lansing, MI 48910 

Hawk Island Splash Pad

This 100 acre park includes a swimming beach, concessions, a Splash Pad and playground area along with other great amenities. Pedal boats and row boats are available for rental. This park connects with the 15+ mile long Lansing River Trail and includes a 1.5 paved pathway around the lake. 

2.    East Lansing Family Aquatic Center 6400 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823    Open daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  (Photo Credit: City of East Lansing)

East Lansing Family Aquatic Center credit: City of East Lansing

Pick a slide, any slide. Choices include the 200’tube slide, a 120-foot body slide and 15-foot drop slide as well as a kiddie frog slide. Or check out the 3,000-square-foot splash pad, diving board and wet/dry sand play area. There's even a grassy area for sunbathing, too! 

3.    Lake Lansing Park South 1621 Pike St. Haslett, MI 48840

Lake Lansing
This is the perfect natural spot for a sandy beach, playground, sand volleyball and more. Come out for a day of picnicking, swimming, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, and boating. Make sure to bring the kids out to enjoy the big wheel tricycles at the tricycle track (tricycle use is free of charge) or to have fun at the playground! Don't forget to check out the free Friday Night Concert Series in the summer.

4.    Burchfield Park 881 Grovenburg Rd. Holt, MI 48842 Beach hours at Saturdays, Sundays and holidays noon-8 p.m. Entrance Fee.

Burchfield Park

This is Ingham County’s largest park with 540 acres of scenic woods, trails and beach. Find a beach, bathhouse, canoe & kayak rentals and trips, hiking trails, horseshoe pits, two 18 hole disc golf courses, mountain biking trails, pedal boat rental, picnic grounds and shelters, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts and a stocked fishing pond.

5.    Sleepy Hollow State Park 7835 E. Price Rd. Laingsburg, MI 48848

Sleepy Hollow State Park

Over 2,600 acres with a 410-acre “no wake” lake and 181 modern campsites. Picnicking, disc golf, swimming, boat launch, canoe/kayak rental, fishing and wildlife viewing areas. Fourteen miles of hiking/mountain biking, and thirteen miles of horse trails. There are even fully accessible cabins-one modern and one rustic that are available.

So there you have it. Five fun ways to cool off in the capital region. Plus, the city of Lansing has two municipal pools within the city limits- the Hunter Park pool in the Eastside Neighborhood and the Moores Park pool on the west side. Both are open for the season and free to all. 

There’s nothing better than splashing around in some water on a hot summer’s day. Come on out to a place where we have cool options for chilling out. Love Lansing like a local. Ready? Set? Splash!!! 

*** Photo Credit of header image: Ingham County Parks