Pin itBarton Springs Pool
A three-acre, spring-fed swimming pool that holds 68 degrees year-round, set in Zilker Park and open since the 1920s.
- Duration
- 2-3 hours
- Cost
- $2-$9
- Type
- Cultural
- What stands out
- A three-acre, spring-fed swimming pool that holds 68 degrees year-round, set in Zilker Park and open since the 1920s.
$2-$9
Book direct via the vendor website
The experience
Barton Springs is a three-acre, spring-fed swimming pool in Zilker Park that holds about 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The springs have been in continuous use since well before European settlement, and the pool in its current form has operated as a public facility since the 1920s. It is one of Austin's most important civic institutions.
Four springs from the Edwards Aquifer feed the pool, and the constant flow keeps the water clear and cold without chemical treatment. The swimming area runs roughly 1,000 feet by 200 feet, with depths from shallow wading to 18 feet. A grassy hillside wraps the pool and serves as the sunbathing and socialising zone.
In a city that regularly tops 95 degrees from June through September, this functions as Austin's collective relief valve. The 68-degree water bites on entry and turns comfortable quickly. A defining feature of the city, and at under $9, one of the best values in it.
Logistics
Entry is $2 to $5 for Austin residents and $4 to $9 for non-residents, varying by age and time of day. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, closed Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for cleaning. Weekend mornings and summer afternoons are busiest. Zilker Park parking fills on busy days; ride-share is the practical alternative. Bring towel and sunscreen.