In Austin and at points nearby, swimming is popular year-round because the climate is warm. Natural and semi-natural spots abound, drawing swimmers, bathers, toe-tippers, and sunbathers to their shores. Since most of the areas do not have lifeguards, swimming is at your own risk. The City of Austin operates numerous swimming pools in the summer months. For hours of operation and other types of information on any of the city's pools, call the Austin Parks and Recreation Department's Aquatics Division at (512) 974-9331. There are numerous swimming spots, several are outstanding.

You can swim for fitness year-round in the lanes at Stacy Pool and the open expanses of Barton Springs Pool. During swimming season all 6 municipal pools have lane lines open all day, and the 27 neighborhood pools have lane lines available sometime during the day. Swimming classes are held morning and evening at 11 pools. In 1994 5,000 children had lessons. Call PARD, (512) 974-9331, for information on neighborhood pools and summer swimming classes and hours of operation.

In Zilker Park, just off Barton Springs Road, Barton Springs Pool is one of Austin's famous landmarks and easily the most popular swimming hole in the city. Spring fed and over 900 feet long, the pool was formed when Barton Creek was dammed up, so it has a natural rock and gravel bottom. There are varying depths, diving boards, and stairs and ladders for entry. The water temperature averages 68 degrees F' throughout the year, so enter the pool gingerly. As you swim across, feel how some spots are colder than others. A more refreshing swim is hard to find, but the pool is often crowded, especially on summer weekends. In recent years, the city has closed the pool when the fecal coliform count was high and posed a threat to swimmers, often the case after a heavy rain. To find out if the pool is open, call the hotline number 867-3080 which operates 24 hours per day.

Fees ($3.00 per adult, $2.00 per junior 12-17, $1.00 children under 12 and seniors over 62) are collected between 8 am and 9 pm. A $5 parking fee in Zilker Park also applies on weekends, holidays, and special events. Pool doors open early at 5 a.m. The pool is closed Thursdays 9am - 7pm for maintenance and cleaning. From Lamar Boulevard, drive west on Barton Springs Road. At Robert E. Lee Drive, you have two options. You may turn left onto Robert E. Lee, go up a hill for about a quarter of a mile, and just past a baseball field, next turn into a gravel parking area; Then Swim, and have fun in the Sun ! If you're looking for swimming holes, then you need to check out the Best Swimming Holes in Texas Page - make it a goal to try all of them.