Southwest Austin guide to pools and swimming

Pools and swimming facilities in Austin and the surrounding areas can allow residents to relax, have fun and cool off with family and friends during the summer months.

[caption id="attachment_153796" align="alignright" width="220"] Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy[/caption]

Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy 5513 Southwest Parkway, Austin 512-276-2324 www.aasa-atx.com Hours: not open to the public for recreational swimming, but classes and programs are offered at various times Features: Olympic-sized pool, classes, swim lessons, changing rooms, hike & bike trail, showers Cost: prices vary by program

[caption id="attachment_153797" align="alignright" width="220"] Barton Springs Pool[/caption]

Barton Springs Pool 2201 Barton Springs Road, Austin 512-476-9044 http://austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool Hours: May-Oct. 31: 5-8 a.m. swim at own risk, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. guarded swim (with admission), 9-10 p.m. guarded swim (no admission fee), closed Thu. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Features: municipal pool with wading area, snorkeling program, changing rooms, hike & bike trail, showers, picnic area Cost: Resident cost: free (11 months and younger), $1 (ages 1-11, seniors), $3 (age 12 and older). Nonresident cost: free (11 months and younger), $3 (ages 1-11), $4 (ages 12-17, seniors), $8 (age 18 and older)

Deep Eddy Pool 401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin 512-472-8546 http://austintexas.gov/department/deep-eddy-pool Hours: April 9-May 22: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. May 23-Aug. 21: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Aug. 22-Oct. 31: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Features: municipal pool with wading area, play area, swim lessons, changing rooms, hike & bike trail, showers, picnic area Cost: Resident cost: free (11 months and younger), $1 (ages 1-11, seniors), $3 (age 12 and older). Nonresident cost: free (11 months and younger), $3 (ages 1-11), $4 (ages 12-17, seniors), $8 (age 18 and older)

[caption id="attachment_153798" align="alignright" width="220"] Dick Nichols Pool[/caption]

Dick Nichols Pool 8011 Beckett Road, Austin 512-899-0348 http://www.austintexas.gov/department/dick-nichols-pool Hours: June 3-5: Tue.-Sat. noon-7 p.m.; Closed Mon.; June 6-July 24: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Features: wading area, wading pool, showers, restrooms, heated water, play area, swim lessons, hike & bike trail, picnic area Cost: free

Dittmar Pool at Dittmar District Park 1009 W. Dittmar Drive, Austin 512-974-6090 http://www.austintexas.gov/department/dittmar-pool Hours: June 6-Aug. 20: Wed.-Mon. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Tue. Features: diving board, wading area showers, restrooms, play area, swim lessons, hike & bike trail, picnic area Cost: free

[caption id="attachment_153799" align="alignright" width="220"] Garrison Municipal Pool[/caption]

Garrison Municipal Pool at Garrison Park 6001 Manchaca Road, Austin 512-442-4048 http://austintexas.gov/department/garrison-pool Hours: May 28-June 5: Sat.-Sun. noon-7 p.m. June 6-Aug. 20: Thu.-Tue. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Wed. Features: diving board, wading area, restrooms, play area, swim lessons, hike & bike trail, picnic area, showers Cost: Resident cost: free (11 months and younger), $1 (ages 1-11, seniors), $2 (ages 12-17), $3 (18 and older); Nonresident cost: free (11 months and younger), $2 (ages 1-11, seniors), $3 (age 12-17), $4 (18 and older).

Gillis Pool 2504 S. Durwood Ave., Austin 512-693-2974 http://www.austintexas.gov/department/gillis-pool Hours: June 13-Aug. 14: Thu.-Tue. 1-8 p.m., Closed Wed. Features: basketball courts, multipurpose fields, play area, swim lessons, hike & bike trail, picnic area Cost: free

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Worth the Drive

Anderson Mill Pool 10701 Schoolhouse Lane, Austin 512-258-3687 http://amld.org/aquatics-pool-hours Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Features: slide, high-dive, swim lessons, hike & bike trail Cost: $3 (age 17 and younger), $5 (adults)

[caption id="attachment_153800" align="alignright" width="220"] Hamilton Pool Preserve[/caption]

Hamilton Pool Preserve 24300 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs 512-264-2740 https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool Hours: Travis County Parks opened its reservation system in April for visitors to save a spot to visit Hamilton Pool Preserve during the busy season of May 15-Sept. 30. Features: historic swimming hole formed by Hamilton Creek, which spills out over a limestone overhang to create a 50-foot-tall waterfall that plunges into the natural pool; restrooms, hike & bike trail, picnic area Cost: $10 reservation fee with $1 credit card service fee (online), $15 entrance fee (paid at pool, cash only), $26 per vehicle; discounts available for seniors, disabled veterans and pedestrians/cyclists.

McKinney Falls State Park 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin 512-243-1643 www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily Features: swimming, camping, fishing, hike & bike trail Cost: free (age 12 and younger), $6 (age 13 and older)

This list is not comprehensive