Barton Springs Pool in Austin is closed indefinitely; 3 pools where you can swim laps instead

The closing of Barton Springs Pool for needed repairs offers Austinites the chance to explore other pools in town.

Those who typically swim laps at Barton Springs Pool in the wee hours of the morning are likely on the hunt for a place that offers a similar experience in light of the temporary closure that was first announced on Aug. 29.

The city of Austin’s Parks and Recreation and Watershed Protection departments are working to fix a leak in a portion of an abandoned pipe at Barton Springs Pool, and it will remain closed as work progresses. The city said the abandoned pipe which is made of concrete used to be a skimmer pipe and was installed in the 1940s.

Repairs are expected to begin “as early” as this week, which will involve filling the end of the unused pipe in the “Barkin’ Springs” area, or the “free” side of Barton Springs as locals call it, with concrete. The repairs will “likely take a few weeks,” according to a news release from the city.

For the time being, here are three pools in Austin that you can swim laps at while Barton Springs Pool is closed for repairs.

Who knows, maybe you’ll discover your new lap-swimming home!

Deep Eddy Pool

Deep Eddy Pool is closed on the first Tuesday of every month.

Location: 401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin, Texas.

Dedicated hours for lap swimming: While Barton Springs Pool is closed, Deep Eddy Pool will open at 6 a.m. daily. Lap swimming is available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Hours of operation: While Barton Springs Pool is closed, Deep Eddy Pool will open at 6 a.m. daily. Recreational swim is allowed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Cost: Deep Eddy Pool is free from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. After 8 a.m., entry fees will be charged. For adults, the entry fee is $5 for residents and $9 for non-residents. For seniors ages 62 and older, the entry fee is $2 for residents and $5 for non-residents. Veterans who were honorably discharged can enjoy Deep Eddy Pool for free.

To view other entry fees, click here.

Big Stacy Pool

Location: 700 E. Live Oak St., Austin, Texas.

Dedicated hours for lap swimming: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday; Lap swimming is allowed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well, but recreational swimmers will also be allowed in the pool during those hours. The same applies from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: Free.

Location: 1800 E. 51st St., Austin, Texas.

Dedicated hours for lap swimming: 12:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lap swimming is allowed during recreational swim from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday. There will be one lane for swimming laps between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Hours of operation: 12:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: Bartholomew Pool’s entry fee for adults is $5 for residents and $9 for non-residents. For seniors ages 62 and older, the entry fee is $2 for residents and $5 for non-residents. Veterans who were honorably discharged can enjoy Deep Eddy Pool for free.

To view other entry fees, click here.