The pool is located in Zilker Park at 2101 Barton Springs Road. It attracts all types, including parents with small children, canoodling couples, and rowdy college students. It really is fun for everyone, especially kids. Many people bring floats and rafts, while others swim laps or wade around in the shallow areas. On either side of the pool are rolling lawns, so many people lay on the grass and nap or read a book. There are plenty of both shady and sunny spots.
The cool waters are extremely chilly upon entering, but provide a feeling of total refreshment, and the laid-back park environment makes this a great spot for lovers of the outdoors.
One thing to be aware of is that a large amount of algae accumulates on the walkways into the pool and on the bottom of the pool, so it can get extremely slippery. While they’re not particularly fashionable, water shoes or water sandals aren’t a bad idea.
The man-made portion of the pool charges a fee for entry and is monitored by lifeguards, and there are changing rooms and restrooms in addition to a small café. One end of the pool ends with a gated-off dam, but just on the other side, you can enjoy the natural side of the springs for free. This area has plenty of shallow water and rocks to sit on, and it’s an extremely popular place for people to bring their dogs to romp around (dogs are not allowed in the man-made pool area). If you feel like soaking in cool water but don’t want to pay the fee, you’ll enjoy this free and more natural version of the springs, and so will your pup.
If you park within Zilker Park, you will be charged $3 on weekends. To avoid this fee, park in the gravel parking lot next to the baseball field off Robert E. Lee, near the intersection at Barton Springs.
Here are the fees for the paid part of the pool:
Children under 11: $1
Junior (age 12-17): $2
Adult: $3
Senior: $1
If you’ll be visiting often, you can buy summer passes, as well. The pool hours varies vastly during the year and it is occasionally closed for cleaning, so be sure to look up the schedule before heading out. Note that it can get very crowded on the weekends during summer, so you may want to avoid going mid-day if you don't want to compete with the crowds for parking spaces or the best spots on the lawn.
