Porter Park
A leafy, spacious community park featuring a historic carousel, a free splash pad, and playgrounds for all ages.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Cooler temps, fewer crowds
Porter Park
Best Time
Cooler temps, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A leafy, spacious community park featuring a historic carousel, a free splash pad, and playgrounds for all ages.
"This park is absolutely beautiful! We found this large, shady park on Google Maps and realized we were fairly close."
🧺 Pack a Picnic Basket
Enjoy a leisurely meal in the shade; concessions are available near the carousel.
💦 Bring Swim Gear
Kids (and adults!) love the free splash pad, so pack a towel and change of clothes.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.6 · 1,416 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Historic Carousel
Central Pavilion
A charming, 135-year-old carousel offering nostalgic rides and a sweet treat concession stand.
Splash Pad Fun
Near playground
A free, vibrant spray park perfect for cooling off on hot days, with tipping buckets and water features.
Spacious Playgrounds
Multiple locations
Well-equipped play areas cater to a wide age range, from toddlers to teens, with swings and jungle gyms.
Shady Picnic Spots
Throughout the park
Abundant mature trees provide cool, comfortable areas for picnics and relaxation, even on warm days.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Heat and Crowds
Seasonal Fun & Events
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🧺 Pack a Picnic Basket
Enjoy a leisurely meal in the shade; concessions are available near the carousel.
💦 Bring Swim Gear
Kids (and adults!) love the free splash pad, so pack a towel and change of clothes.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
Explore the walking paths, playground, and courts with comfy footwear.
☀️ Seek the Shade
Mature trees offer great relief from the sun, perfect for a chill afternoon.
Tips
from all over the internet
🧺 Pack a Picnic Basket
Enjoy a leisurely meal in the shade; concessions are available near the carousel.
💦 Bring Swim Gear
Kids (and adults!) love the free splash pad, so pack a towel and change of clothes.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
Explore the walking paths, playground, and courts with comfy footwear.
☀️ Seek the Shade
Mature trees offer great relief from the sun, perfect for a chill afternoon.
📅 Check Event Schedule
Porter Park hosts seasonal festivals and community events.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Porter Park's beautiful, spacious, and shady environment, making it a perfect spot for picnics and relaxation. The historic carousel and free splash pad are major highlights for families, offering fun for all ages. While generally well-loved, some note occasional issues with older kids impacting the splash pad experience for younger ones.
"This park is absolutely beautiful! We were looking for a quiet and chill spot to cop a squat with the dogs out of the heat and to have a little picnic. We found this large, shady park on Google Maps and realized we were fairly close. Despite the road construction on W 2nd we found parking easily.
We unloaded ourselves, both dogs, camp chairs, and food and drinks. Our Akita pretty much picked the shady spot she wanted to lay in and copped a squat. We joined her.
In the middle of the summer day with temperatures in the 90s this park in the shade was so comfortable and cool breezes blew through. It was a lovely reprieve.
There was so much space in this that with all of the people also using the park no one was on top of anyone. We were all able to spread out. There was even a large group of people playing different group games.
On the other side of the park there was a large water feature where a lot of children were running around in and out of the tipping bucket that doused them in water. It was awesome. If I’d had on a suit I would have joined them. Right near the water playground there was a lot of seating for parents to keep an eye on their children and behind the seating and additional grass areas there was a carousel!!! We strolled inside and found a concession stand, too.
We hung out for a few hours and then packed up.
I love a good wholesome family outing."
A. L. Connor
"Often this place is super family and kid friendly, sadly though because it is in the middle of town and is popular this is where the pride festival is held and sometimes girls go here to “sunbathe”.
The carousel is so fun with reasonable prices for snacks and drinks in the pavilion.
I love the big swings and all the playground equipment for kids ages 1-15
But the swings are my favorite because even as an adult I can enjoy them.
I really appreciate the splash pad, glad it is free and kinda frustrated that older kids ruin for the littles sometimes. We need something for the teens."
Brina Brinkerhoff
"We love the historic 135 year old carousel in Porter Park! It also has a Splash Pad, walking path, tennis/basketball court, lots of grass to play on and a swing set and jungle gym. It is a wonderful park!"
Renee and Randy Parkinson
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Porter Park is centrally located in Rexburg, often accessible via W 2nd Street. Parking is generally easy to find, even during busy times.
Yes, parking is available and usually easy to find, though it can fill up during major events or holidays.
Porter Park is a great destination for walking and biking, with paths connecting to various parts of Rexburg.
Information on public transport routes to Porter Park may vary. It's best to check local Rexburg transit schedules for current options.
Road construction can occur in Rexburg. It's advisable to check local traffic updates before heading to the park, especially during peak seasons.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Porter Park is a public park and generally free to enter. The splash pad and playgrounds are also free to use.
Yes, there are reasonable prices for rides on the historic carousel, and snacks are available at the pavilion.
Park hours are typically from dawn until dusk. Specific facility hours, like the carousel or restrooms, may vary.
Porter Park hosts various community events throughout the year, including seasonal festivals like the Dipped in December Christmas Festival.
While the park has many picnic tables and open spaces, reservations for specific areas are not typically mentioned. Arrive early for larger groups.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Kids can enjoy the splash pad, playgrounds with swings and jungle gyms, and the historic carousel.
Yes, Porter Park features a popular and free splash pad with water features for children to cool off.
The park offers playgrounds, a splash pad, a historic carousel, picnic areas, benches, public restrooms, and open fields for games.
Yes, public restrooms are available within the park for visitor convenience.
Dogs are generally allowed in Porter Park, but it's always good practice to check local leash laws and park regulations.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there's a concession stand near the carousel offering snacks and drinks. Picnicking is also a popular option.
Absolutely! Porter Park has many shady spots and open grassy areas perfect for picnics, with tables and benches available.
The concession stand typically offers snacks and drinks, with reasonable prices mentioned by visitors.
Information on grills is not explicitly mentioned, but picnic tables are abundant for food enjoyment.
Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks for picnics and personal enjoyment.
📸 📸 Photography
The historic carousel, the splash pad in action, and the mature trees offering dappled light are great photo opportunities.
With its playgrounds, open spaces, and charming carousel, Porter Park provides a lovely backdrop for family portraits.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's best to check with local authorities or park management regarding drone policies.
Early mornings or late afternoons offer softer light, ideal for photography. Summer mornings are also great for the splash pad.
The 135-year-old carousel is a unique historical element that makes for memorable photos.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit