Eldorado Park

Eldorado Park in South Scottsdale is one of those community gems that locals know well and visitors often overlook. At 52+ acres, it's one of the larger parks in the Scottsdale system, and it packs in an impressive range of facilities: multiple playgrounds, a seasonal splash pad, a fishing lake, sports courts, a skate park, sand volleyball, picnic areas, and an adjacent aquatic center.

For families, the combination of a splash pad and a real swimming pool (at the aquatic center) makes Eldorado genuinely functional in Phoenix's brutal summers — not just the fall and spring. The splash pad is typically open May through September; the aquatic center has drop-in recreational swimming at city pricing that's very reasonable.

Kids who fish love the lake element. Catch-and-release is the norm, and it only takes a simple rod and some bait to give a 7-year-old an hour of complete concentration. The skate park draws a tween and teen crowd, so younger kids should have adult guidance near that area.

The main playground areas are solid — standard city park equipment that's well-maintained and appropriate for toddlers through age 10. There's enough space that even on a busy weekend, the playgrounds don't feel crushingly crowded.

For visiting families staying in South Scottsdale, Old Town, or the 85257/85258 zip codes, Eldorado Park is one of the best free half-days available — especially if you combine the outdoor park time with a swim session at the aquatic center.