Area Pools in Austin Texas

Though the heat of the summer in Austin can be a real drain on exercising or any outdoor activity, the city is blessed with several public pools in which to cool off.

Probably the most well known pool to Austinites, and those visiting, is Barton Springs Pool located near the Barton Hills neighborhood. The pool sits on a lovely 3 acres of hillside, with a nice shallow end for children, and a deep end for those who brought their floats, as well as others who want to swim a lap or two. The pool is a natural spring, and got its name in 1837 from William Uncle Billy Barton, who owned the tract of land which included the springs. Once the area became a city park in 1917, the residents began to flock to the refreshing spring water, which averages 68 degrees year round.

People-watching at Barton Springs is phenomenal. All walks of life enjoy the pool, from tattooed bohemian types, to legislators, and all those in between, with a rash of topless sunbathers in the 1970s. The diving board in the middle of the pool provides hours of entertainment for the divers and the spectators who will break into applause for a triple flip or a belly flop.