“3-acre pool, averaging 68 degrees year-round!”
Barton Springs Pool is a man-made recreational swimming pool located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists in the channel of Barton Creek and is filled by water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. The pool is a popular venue for year-round swimming, as its temperature maintains a narrow range from about 68 °F (20 °C) in the winter to about 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) in the summer. The current admission fee is $3 for adults, $2 for ages 12–17, $1 for ages 1–11 and 62+, and infants younger than 1 year are free. Season passes are available for $180 dollars, and punchcards allowing for $40 worth of pool entry are available for $32. 10 percent of this entry goes to a fund to help protect and research the Barton Springs Salamander. Long before Barton Springs Pool was built, the springs were considered sacred and were used for purification rituals by the Tonkawa Native American tribe who inhabited the area. Spanish explorers first discovered the springs in the 17th century, and around 1730 erected temporary missions at the site (later moving to San Antonio). In 1837, soon after incorporation of the city of Austin, William ("Uncle Billy") Barton, the springs' namesake, settled the area. Barton named the three separate springs after his three daughters: Parthenia, Eliza, and Zenobia. He, and subsequent owners of the property, recognized its value as a tourist attraction, and promoted it vigorously, thus leading to the swimming hole's lasting popularity. The last private owner of the property, Andrew Jackson Zilker, deeded it to Austin in 1918. During the 1920s, the city undertook a construction project to create a larger swimming area by damming the springs and building sidewalks. The bathhouse was constructed in the 1940s and modeled after the design of the bathhouse at Deep Eddy Pool. The pool is usually open to the public from 5:00am to 10:00pm, Friday through Wednesday. During this time, the floodgates on the pool's dam are closed, and Main Barton Spring fills the pool to a maximum depth of more than 18 feet. At the upper end of the pool, another dam prevents surface water from Barton Creek from entering the pool by diverting it through a tunnel under the sidewalks.
Austin, Texas is one of my top favorite cities in Texas, simply because there are so many places for weekend escapes where you can enjoy nature even though in the center of the city, as the case is with Barton Springs Pool.
What a great place to have some great fun with family and friends in a relatively inexpensive way, since the entrance fee is minimal.
But the good news is that Barton Springs Pool is divided into a 'pay' and 'free' area. So depends on you whether you want to pay or not. But, if you have young kids or you are not that great swimmer, then you should prefer the 'pay' area where there are lifeguards. I have read many reviews that the water is freezing, well i will disagree on this characterization. I rather think that it is cool and refreshing, especially when the temperatures in the city during the summer may reach or even exceed 40C!!!!!
Another great thing about this place is that there is a separate place for your dog to play with the water. Overall a great place to relax, chill out and have great time without being disturbed by the crowds, since the place is huge !! Thank you Austin, Texas for yet one more amazing family place !!!
Fantastic experience here! Yes, 68 degrees is cool water but this is a great, unique place to escape Austin summer heat. Nice grassy areas to laze around, too.
Yes very cold!!! Almost numbing feeling so I would recommend going when it's extremely hot outside! No food or drinks allowed either so no picnics.
I came here late October. The weather was still gorgeous, although the pool was closed the day I wandered by, but my pup and I were still able to enjoy the trail and surrounding creek area. Definitely one of the things that made me fall in love with Austin!
Very cool, only accepts cash, little train for kiddos run through the park.
This place is the best and a must see....or swim!
Barton Springs Pool is a couple miles away from Deep Eddy Pool and it's this a massive spring-fed pool. Great place to spend a hot afternoon.
It was damn cold! ...But I loved it.
The water is fresh and freezing but such a must do when in Austin!
Beautiful area. Too cold to swim but it was nice sitting on the grassy area with the breeze blowing. Very peaceful and relaxing.
Crowded but amazing views of the city. Park had pretty trails and the river was really beautiful. It was a nice chance to get off of the city streets and wander through a lush green space. Great way to cool off on a hot summer day and get in a pleasant walk before the serious eating and drinking began again.
Be the first to add a review to the Barton Natural Springs Pool Austin Texas.
/-97.771004105605,30.264095540694,14/300x172@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1Ijoicm9hZHRyaXBwZXJzIiwiYSI6ImJ3eVhLem8ifQ.yQYCwE4pIQahc6sjWNrrIQ)
Barton Natural Springs Pool Austin Texas
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 5:00 am - 10:00 pm
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
-
Parking
-
Pets Allowed
-
Restrooms
-
Wifi
-
Wheelchair Accessible
-
Credit Cards Accepted
-
Outdoor Seating
Parking, Dining
Nearby Hotels
Related Trip Guides
- Trip Guide
Pay Tribute and Reflect at These US Monuments and Memorials
- 14 Places
- Trip Guide
The ultimate guide to Big Bend National Park
- 13 Places
- Trip Guide
The top things to do on an I-40 road trip
- 35 Places
- 49:44
- 2,851 mi
- Trip Guide
The top things to do on an I-10 road trip
- 55 Places
- 56:13
- 3,026 mi