When most locals are asked to name their favorite things about Austin, Barton Springs Pool is usually at the top of the list. The sprawling three-acre pool is fed by underground springs that stay at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
The pool is located in Zilker Park at 2101 Barton Springs Road. It appeals to all types, including parents with young children, canoeing couples, and rowdy college students. It really is fun for everyone, especially children. Many people bring floats and rafts, while others swim laps or wade in the shallow areas. Rolling lawns are on either side of the pool, so many people lie down on the lawn and take a nap or read a book. There are many shady and sunny areas, but the hillside is too steep in some areas to rest comfortably.
The chilly waters are extremely cold upon entering, but provide a feeling of total refreshment, and the relaxed atmosphere of the park makes this a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts. To get a better idea of what to expect, check out this video from the PBS show The Daytripper.
One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of algae builds up in the hallways around the pool and on the bottom of the pool, so it can become extremely slippery. While not particularly in fashion, water shoes or water sandals are not a bad idea. Algae also sometimes cover the surface of the water. It’s a bit gross but otherwise harmless.
The pool charges an entrance fee and is guarded by lifeguards, and there are changing rooms and bathrooms plus a small outdoor eating area. Glass bottles and alcohol are not allowed in the pool area. The pool ends in a small dam, but just on the other side of the fence, you can enjoy the all-natural side of the springs for free. This area has lots of shallow water and rocks to sit on, and is an extremely popular place for people to bring their dogs to play (no dogs allowed in the main pool area).
If you feel like a dip in cold water but don’t want to pay the fee, this free and more natural version of the springs will enjoy, and so will your pup.
Costs
If you park inside Zilker Park, you will be charged $ 6 on weekends. To avoid this fee, park in the gravel parking lot next to the baseball field at 1078 Robert E. Lee Road, near the intersection in Barton Springs. These are the pool admission fees:
Children under 11 years: $ 1
Junior (12 to 17 years old): $ 2
Adult: $ 3
Senior: $ 1
If you are visiting frequently, you can also buy summer passes. The pool is occasionally closed for cleaning, and pool hours may change due to weather, so be sure to check the schedule before heading out. Note that it can get very crowded on weekends during the 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 grass.
Eliza Spring Improvement Project 2017
One of the hardest aspects of managing Barton Springs is keeping it open for swimmers while protecting the endangered Barton Springs salamanders that live in and around the pool. From the 1920s until the summer of 2017, one of the sources that fed the pool, Eliza Spring, was encased in a pipe. While this protected the flow of water, it created a less than ideal habitat for the salamanders. In 2017, workers ditched the tubing and turned the spring into a free-flowing stream open to air.
This allows the salamanders to move freely from Eliza Spring to the pool and back without having to swim through a dark pipe. For visitors, the broadcast is also much more visually appealing. And if you look closely, you might see a salamander on its morning commute.
Revitalization of bathrooms
A major renovation of the historic Barton Springs bathhouse is currently in the design phase and is scheduled to begin construction in 2019. Nearby parking lot will be reconfigured, entrances and exits redesigned, plumbing repaired and repaired. the central roundabout. undergo significant structural repairs. The facility was originally built in 1947. The bathroom and lounge areas have high walls but no roof, with lockers, changing rooms and bathrooms. The area receives intensive use practically throughout the year from both single visitors and fitness-oriented swimmers who visit almost daily even in the winter months.
Protecting the springs
Keeping the springs safe from development in the area is a constant struggle. The Save Our Springs alliance leads many voluntary efforts and policy initiatives aimed at preserving this natural treasure for future generations.
Edited by Robert Macias
