Guide to Summer Swimming in Austin

Summer has arrived in Austin, and with it, the scorching heat. Luckily for Austinites, the city offers a wide variety of places to cool off.

The Lowdown

The Aquatic Division manages 34 pools and 10 splash pads, most of which are free and open only during summer.

Pools:

Iconic

• Barton Springs and Deep Eddy: small admission fee ($5 and under for residents, $9 and under for visitors).

Barton Springs:

• Large pool with springboard divers and applause
• North parking lot closed due to construction—try the free, unpaved lot beneath MoPac Expressway, west on Barton Springs Rd.

Deep Eddy:

• Texas' oldest pool with historic charm and zero-depth entry, great for kids.
• Pay with cash to avoid slow card kiosks.
• Free parking lot but expect traffic. Free spots available in the unpaved lot west of the pool under MoPac Expressway (5 min walk).

Free Public Pools:

• 19/28 pools already open this season: Balcones, Big Stacy, Brentwood, Canyon Vista, Dick Nichols, Dittmar, Dottie Jordan, Dove Springs, Govalle, Mabel Davis, Martin, Montopolis, Murchinson, Patterson, Ramsey, Reed, Rosewood, Shipe, Walnut Creek, Westenfield.

• 6 more opening on June 10: Citivan, Kennemer, Metz, Parque Zaragoza, Stacy Wading Pool, West Austin.

• Last 2: Gillis (delayed for maintenance) and Givens (closed for renovation until spring 2025).

Public Pools with Admission Fees:

• Barton Springs
• Deep Eddy
• Bartholomew
• Garrison
• Northwest
• Springwoods

Free Splash Pads:

• 11 throughout the city, open daily 8am-9pm (10pm for Liz Carpenter): Bailey, Bartholomew, Chestnut, Clarksville, Eastwoods, Liz Carpenter, Lott, Metz, Ricky Guerrero, Rosewood, Pease.

Stay cool, Austin!