Best Public Pools and Splash Pads in Austin, TX (2026 Guide)
Last Updated: May 2026
Austin operates 44 public aquatic facilities, including pools and splash pads across every neighborhood. Most City of Austin neighborhood pools are free to enter. Pools with an entry fee (around $5 for adults) include Bartholomew, Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Springwoods, Garrison, and Sheffield Northwest. All 11 City of Austin splash pads are free and open May 1–October 31, 2026. Six year-round pools stay open all year. Seasonal pools begin opening in mid-May, with most fully open by June 8. Montopolis Pool is closed for renovation in 2026.
Austin’s heat doesn’t need an invitation — it shows up and stays. The good news is that this city has one of the best public aquatic systems in the country, with pools and splash pads spread across every neighborhood, most of them free. Whether you need somewhere to take a baby on a Tuesday morning or your crew needs a full Saturday at a pool with actual water slides, there’s something on this list.
Below is the complete guide to every public pool and splash pad in Austin for summer 2026, verified against the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, with curated picks for families and suburb options included.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
- Most City of Austin pools are free. The pools that charge an entry fee are Bartholomew, Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Springwoods, Garrison, and Sheffield Northwest. Resident adult fee is approximately $5; children and seniors are less. Season passes are available at austintexas.gov.
- All splash pads are free. No entry fee at any City of Austin splash pad.
- Seasonal pools open mid-May through Labor Day weekend. Most close after Labor Day, though some extend through September. Check austintexas.gov for current hours.
- Pools may close unexpectedly. Thunderstorms, mechanical issues, or maintenance can cause sudden closures. Call ahead or check austintexas.gov if the weather is questionable.
- Montopolis Pool is closed for renovation in 2026. Plan accordingly if you’re in that area.
- Arrive early on weekends. Parking and shaded spots fill fast at popular pools, especially Barton Springs and Bartholomew.
- Water shoes recommended at Barton Springs. The rock entry is slippery.
Year-Round Public Pools in Austin
These six facilities stay open all year. Perfect for cold-morning lap swimmers, year-round families, and anyone who needs to cool off outside of summer.
- Bartholomew – 1800 E. 51st St. | Entry fee. Shallow toddler pool with mini slide, lilypad crossing obstacle, two big water slides (48”+ required, open at noon), diving board, and lap lanes. One of Austin’s best family pools.
- Barton Springs – 2131 William Barton Dr. | Entry fee. 3-acre natural spring-fed pool, 68–70°F year-round. Diving boards, shallow entry on one end. Water shoes recommended — the rocks are slippery. Austin’s most iconic swim spot.
- Big Stacy – 700 E. Live Oak St. | Free. A neighborhood gem in South Austin.
- Colony Park – 7400 Loyola Ln. | Free.
- Deep Eddy – 401 Deep Eddy Ave. | Entry fee. Natural spring-fed, 65–75°F. Gradual shallow entry ideal for young kids. Plenty of grassy picnic space. Poolside movies in summer. Austin’s oldest pool.
- Springwoods – 13320 Lyndhurst St. | Entry fee.
When Do Austin Pools Open for Summer 2026?
All pools marked with an asterisk (*) are free to enter. Opening dates are current as of May 2026 — verify at austintexas.gov before visiting.
| Opening Date | Pool Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| May 16 | Mabel Davis* | 3427 Parker Ln |
| May 16 | Walnut Creek* | 12138 N Lamar Blvd |
| May 29 | Balcones* | 12017 Amherst Dr |
| May 29 | Dick Nichols* | 8011 Beckett Rd |
| May 29 | Dove Springs* | 5801 Ainez Dr |
| May 29 | Givens* | 3811 E. 12th St |
| May 29 | Rosewood* | 2300 Rosewood Ave |
| June 1 | Dottie Jordan* | 2803 Loyola Ln |
| June 1 | Govalle* | 5200 Bolm Rd |
| June 1 | Martin* | 1626 Nash Hernandez Sr. Dr |
| June 1 | Murchison* | 7022 Hart Ln |
| June 1 | Ramsey* | 4201 Burnet Rd |
| June 1 | Shipe* | 4400 Avenue G |
| June 1 | Westenfield* | 2000 Enfield Rd |
| June 6 | Brentwood* | 6710 Arroyo Seco St |
| June 6 | Canyon Vista* | 8455 Spicewood Springs Rd |
| June 6 | Dittmar* | 1009 W. Dittmar Dr |
| June 6 | Patterson* | 4200 Brookview Dr |
| June 6 | Reed* | 2614 Pecos St |
| June 8 | Civitan* | 513 Vargas Rd |
| June 8 | Gillis* | 2410 Durwood Ave |
| June 8 | Kennemer* | 1031 Peyton Gin Rd |
| June 8 | Metz* | 2309 Canterbury St |
| June 8 | Parque Zaragoza* | 2611 Webberville Rd |
| June 8 | Stacy Wading Pool* | 1401 Sunset Ln |
| June 8 | West Austin* | 1317 W. 10th St |
| Open now | Garrison (fee) | 6001 Menchaca Rd |
| Open now | Sheffield Northwest (fee) | 7000 Ardath St |
| Closed — Renovation | Montopolis* | 1200 Montopolis Dr |
Best Austin Pools for Families with Kids
Not all pools are created equal for families. These are the standouts:
- Bartholomew Pool – The best family pool in the City of Austin system. The toddler area is shaded with a mini slide; the big water slides (noon opening, 48” minimum) keep older kids busy for hours. Arrive before 10 AM on weekends to beat crowds.
- Deep Eddy – The gradual shallow entry is perfect for babies and toddlers who can wade while bigger kids swim in deeper water. Grassy lawn for picnics. Summer movies are a bonus.
- Barton Springs – Great for kids who can swim independently. The spring temperature keeps everyone comfortable even on the hottest days. Wear water shoes for the rocky entry.
- Shipe Pool – 4400 Avenue G. A beloved neighborhood pool in Hyde Park, free to enter, and never as crowded as the big ones. Perfect for a weekday morning swim.
- Big Stacy Pool – Free, year-round, and consistently one of the quieter options on the south side. Good choice if Barton Springs or Bartholomew are packed.
- Walnut Creek Pool – 12138 N Lamar Blvd. Free and opens May 16 — one of the first seasonal pools open each summer. Good North Austin option.
Free Splash Pads in Austin (2026)
All City of Austin splash pads are free and open daily May 1–October 31, 2026. No entry fee, no reservation required. Hours are generally 9 AM–8 PM. Liz Carpenter is the exception — it’s open year-round.
- Bailey Splash Pad – 1201 W. 33rd St.
- Bartholomew Splash Pad – 5201 Berkman Dr. Adjacent to Bartholomew Pool.
- Chestnut Splash Pad – 2205 E. 16th St.
- Clarksville Splash Pad – 1811 W. 11th St. Centrally located, great for Central Austin families.
- Eastwoods Splash Pad – 3001 Harris Park Blvd.
- Liz Carpenter Splash Pad – 200 Dawson Rd, downtown near Butler Park. Open year-round — great for hot evenings after dinner downtown.
- Lott Splash Pad – 1180 Curve St.
- Metz Splash Pad – 2407 Canterbury St. Adjacent to Metz Pool.
- Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad – 1100 Brodie St. South Austin.
- Rosewood Splash Pad – 2300 Rosewood Ave. Adjacent to Rosewood Pool.
- Pease Splash Pad – 1100 Kingsbury St. Operated by Pease Park Conservancy. Shaded and tree-lined, one of the most family-beloved splash pads in the city. Ideal for younger kids.
Pools & Splash Pads in the Greater Austin Area
Worth the short drive — several suburb pools have features the City of Austin pools don’t, including water slides, lazy rivers, and pirate ships.
Cedar Park
- Elizabeth Milburn Pool – Adjacent to Elizabeth Milburn Park. Features a 120-ft. water slide, toddler water playground, and a lap swimming area. One of the best family pools in the Austin suburbs.
- Veterans Memorial Pool – 8,300 sq. ft. activity pool with a drop slide, jumping platform, cargo net log crossing, water basketball, family slide, and rentable shade pavilions. Cedar Park Parks & Rec; check cedarparkrecreation.com for hours and admission.
- Brushy Creek Lake Park Splash Pad – Free. Named by the Austin Chronicle as the Best Place to Play in a Fountain. Part of the Brushy Creek Trail park system. Open daily through Labor Day, then weekends through September.
Round Rock
- Micki Krebsbach Pool – Home to a 26-foot pirate ship with two slides and water cannons. Also has water slides and water crossing obstacles. Closed Tuesdays. One of the most fun pools in the Austin metro for kids.
- Rock’N River Family Aquatic Center – Run by the City of Round Rock. A full water park experience with a sprayground, 12-foot jumping platform, rock wall, drop slide, water slides, and net obstacles. Check roundrocktexas.gov for hours and admission.
Pflugerville
- Scott Mentzer Pool – Small lazy river, toddler slide, and water slides. Closed Wednesdays. Check pflugervilletx.gov for hours and admission.
- Typhoon Texas Waterpark – Full water park with slides, a lazy river, zip line, and ropes course. Visit typhoon-texas.com for tickets and hours.
Leander
- The Quarry Splash Pad – Built in a former quarry surrounded by natural rock walls — a genuinely distinctive setting. Fountains, sprinklers, water cannons, a waterfall, mini slide, climbing wall, and sandbox. $2 entry per person.
Anderson Mill Area (Northwest Austin)
- El Salido Pool – Toddler pool with sprinklers, three diving boards on the main pool. Day pass $4 for ages 12 & under, $5 for ages 13+. Open to non-residents.
Water Parks Near Austin
For a bigger splash day, these water parks are within reasonable driving distance:
- Schlitterbahn (New Braunfels) – 40+ attractions across 70 acres on the spring-fed Comal River. One of the most acclaimed water parks in the country. About 45 minutes from Austin.
- Volente Beach Water Park (Lake Travis) – Small and family-manageable. Pirate ship play area, water slides, obstacle crossing, volleyball, restaurant. About 30 minutes from Austin.
Frequently Asked Questions: Austin Pools & Splash Pads
When do Austin public pools open for summer 2026?
Austin’s seasonal pools begin opening in mid-May 2026. Mabel Davis and Walnut Creek open May 16. Several more open May 29. The majority open June 1 or June 6. The last group opens June 8. Six year-round facilities (Bartholomew, Barton Springs, Big Stacy, Colony Park, Deep Eddy, and Springwoods) stay open all year. All pools are verified at austintexas.gov.
Are Austin public pools free?
Most City of Austin neighborhood pools are free. The pools that charge an entry fee are Bartholomew, Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Springwoods, Garrison, and Sheffield Northwest. The resident adult fee is approximately $5; children and seniors pay less. All 11 City of Austin splash pads are completely free.
When do Austin splash pads open in 2026?
All City of Austin splash pads open May 1 and close October 31, 2026. Liz Carpenter Splash Pad in downtown Austin is the exception — it’s open year-round. All splash pads are free with no reservation required.
What is the best pool in Austin for families with young kids?
Bartholomew Pool (1800 E. 51st St.) is widely considered the best family pool in Austin, with a shaded toddler area, mini slide, lilypad crossing obstacle, two big water slides (noon opening, 48” minimum), and diving boards. Deep Eddy is the best option for babies and toddlers thanks to its gradual shallow entry. Shipe Pool in Hyde Park is a great free, lower-crowds option for younger kids.
Is Barton Springs Pool open in 2026?
Yes — Barton Springs Pool is open year-round. It’s a 3-acre natural spring-fed pool at 2131 William Barton Dr, maintained at 68–70°F year-round. An entry fee applies. The pool closes Thursdays for cleaning. Water shoes are recommended as the rock entry can be slippery.
Are there any Austin pools with water slides?
Yes. Bartholomew Pool has two big water slides (open at noon, 48” height minimum). In the greater Austin area, Elizabeth Milburn Pool in Cedar Park has a 120-ft. slide; Micki Krebsbach Pool in Round Rock has a pirate ship with two slides; Veterans Memorial Pool in Cedar Park has a drop slide; and Scott Mentzer Pool in Pflugerville has water slides as well.
What pool is closed for renovation in Austin in 2026?
Montopolis Pool (1200 Montopolis Dr.) is closed for renovation in 2026. Check austintexas.gov for updates on reopening.
Where is the Pease Splash Pad in Austin?
Pease Splash Pad is located at 1100 Kingsbury St. in Pease Park, operated by the Pease Park Conservancy. It’s shaded, tree-lined, and one of the most popular splash pads in Austin, especially for younger kids. Open May 1–October 31. Free admission.
Find the Pools and Splash Pads Near You
Use the Recess interactive map to find every public pool and splash pad across Austin by neighborhood — and while you’re there, browse the best summer camps and enrichment programs for kids in Austin.
→ View the Recess Austin Pools & Splash Pads Map
→ Browse Summer Camps on Recess
