Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre, spring-fed swimming pool located within Zilker Metropolitan Park in Austin, Texas. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in April 2026, confirming that the pool has fully reopened for the spring and summer season following the completion of the 1940s Skimmer Bypass maintenance project.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm (closed Thursdays from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm for cleaning) |
| Ticket prices | Non-resident adult $9; Resident adult $5 |
| Address | 2201 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | North and South parking lots; CapMetro Bus 30 to Zilker Park |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 to 3 hours |
Barton Springs Pool opening hours
Barton Springs Pool operates on a unique schedule to accommodate both eager swimmers and necessary maintenance. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the pool is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. Early morning access from 5:00 am to 8:00 am is designated as “swim at your own risk” with no lifeguards on duty, while guarded swimming runs from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
On Thursdays, the pool closes for rigorous weekly cleaning. Thursday hours are restricted to 5:00 am to 9:00 am (swim at your own risk), followed by a full closure until 7:00 pm. The pool reopens for guarded swimming from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
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Barton Springs Pool ticket prices
Entry fees for Barton Springs Pool are charged seasonally (starting mid-March through October) and are tiered based on Austin residency. A non-resident adult (18–62) ticket costs $9, while an Austin resident pays $5. Non-resident children (1–11) pay $4, and resident children pay $2. Non-resident juniors and seniors (62+) pay $5, while resident counterparts pay $3 and $2, respectively. Infants under one year and honorably discharged veterans enter for free.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Austin Parks and Recreation website and last updated in April 2026. Visitors are heavily encouraged to purchase tickets digitally in advance by downloading the free ATXswims app (available on Google Play and Apple App Store), though credit and debit cards are also accepted at the digital kiosks outside the entrances.
How to get to Barton Springs Pool
To get to Barton Springs Pool, visitors head to Zilker Metropolitan Park, situated just south of Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin.
For those using public transport, the CapMetro Bus Line 30 drops passengers at the Barton Springs (Zilker Park) stop. From there, it is a flat, five-minute walk down William Barton Drive to reach the main entrance and bathhouse.
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Parking at Barton Springs Pool
There is dedicated parking at Barton Springs Pool split between two primary areas: the North entrance parking lot (2201 William Barton Dr) and the South entrance parking lot (1000 Azie Morton Rd).
Parking costs vary by the time of the week and the year. From Monday through Friday, parking in these lots is entirely free. However, on weekends and public holidays between March 1 and Labor Day, parking costs $3 per hour per vehicle. During peak summer weekends, these lots fill up rapidly by mid-morning, so arriving early is highly recommended.
How long to spend at Barton Springs Pool
A typical visit to Barton Springs Pool takes between two and three hours. This provides ample time to swim, dry off on the expansive grassy hillsides lining the water, and visit the educational exhibits at the bathhouse.
If you are treating the visit as a half-day excursion combined with a picnic in the wider Zilker Park area, you can easily stretch your trip to four hours.
Accessibility at Barton Springs Pool
Accessibility at Barton Springs Pool is well-supported. Both the North and South entrances offer ADA-compliant accessible parking spaces. The main bathhouse features accessible restrooms and changing areas.
Access into the water itself is facilitated by an ADA-compliant ramp that leads gradually into the pool, making it easier for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to enter the water safely without having to navigate the steep, slippery limestone stairs found in other sections of the pool.
Inside / what to see at Barton Springs Pool
Inside Barton Springs Pool, the primary attraction is the massive, three-acre natural swimming area. The pool is fed by underground springs and maintains a brisk, consistent temperature of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 21 degrees Celsius) year-round. The water depths range from shallow wading areas of 0 feet to diving depths of up to 18 feet.
Because the pool is a natural environment, it features a limestone bottom and serves as a federally protected habitat for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.
Adjacent to the historic bathhouse is Splash!, an interactive, educational exhibit where visitors can learn about the history of the pool, the biology of the local salamander, and the mechanics of the Edwards Aquifer that feeds the springs.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Visitor Advice |
| Timing | Arrive shortly after 8:00 am when the lifeguards go on duty to secure a prime spot on the grassy banks before the afternoon crowds arrive. |
| Crowds | Use the ATXswims mobile app to buy your pass ahead of time; this allows you to bypass the often-long queues at the physical ticket kiosks. |
| Layout | Use the South gate if you want quicker access to the deeper sections of the pool, but stick to the North gate for the bathhouse and main facilities. |
| Entry process | Ensure you activate your digital ticket on the app only when you are physically arriving at the pool gates. |
| On-site logistics | Leave your food, coolers, thermal bags, glass, alcohol, and hard sports balls at home or in the car; they are strictly prohibited inside the pool gates. |
Frequently asked questions about Barton Springs Pool
| Question | Answer |
| Is Barton Springs Pool suitable for children? | Yes, the pool features a shallow zero-depth entry area perfect for young children, but water shoes are recommended due to the natural, slippery rock bottom. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Barton Springs Pool? | While not strictly required, downloading the ATXswims app to buy digital tickets is highly recommended to save time at the gate. |
| Is Barton Springs Pool open on Sundays? | Yes, the pool is open for swimming on Sundays from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. |
| Are bags allowed at Barton Springs Pool? | Standard backpacks and totes for towels and sunscreen are allowed, but coolers, thermal bags, and any bags containing food will be turned away. |
Things to do near Barton Springs Pool
- Zilker Botanical Garden: A peaceful 28-acre garden featuring themed spaces like the Taniguchi Japanese Garden and a prehistoric dinosaur habitat.
- UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum: An outdoor art museum displaying the bronze sculptures of Charles Umlauf set within a shaded, landscaped garden.
- Lady Bird Lake: A river-like reservoir immediately north of Zilker Park, highly popular for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing.
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail: A 10-mile scenic trail looping around Lady Bird Lake, offering excellent views of the downtown Austin skyline.
- Austin Nature & Science Center: A free, family-friendly facility located nearby in Zilker Park, offering wildlife exhibits and a “Dino Pit” fossil dig.
More Texas travel
Other Texas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
- What to know before visiting the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin.
- What are the best stops on the Fort Worth to Austin drive or Dallas to Austin drive?
- Outdoor Austin: Guides to visiting Mount Bonnell and exploring McKinney Falls State Park.
- The best three stops on the Austin to Galveston drive and the Dallas to Galveston drive.
