Epic Outdoor Public Pools in All 50 States
That mid-summer heat is here, and what better way to cool off than with a dip in a cool and refreshing swimming pool?
If you’re looking for a local public pool that won’t require a season’s pass or a whole day commitment, this list is for you.
From Olympic sized pools to pools with real sand and water slides, these are the best outdoor public swimming pools in each state.
Alabama: The Pearce Pool
City: Jackson
The Pearce Pool, dubbed the Jewel of Alabama, is 438 feet long and 108 feet wide. It is one of the largest in-ground pools in the country.
With a stunning woodland surrounding, the pool is made to look more like a lake than a pool.
Depth ranges from 6 inches to 15 feet—making it suitable for most skillsets.
Alaska: Tok Lions Club
City: Tok
The Tok Lions Club pool is the state’s only heated outdoor swimming pool that is open to the public. And while it may not be as epic as many others in this list, it is free—so there’s that.
However, keep in mind that the pool is fairly small and can only accommodate about 20 people at a time.
Another epic option for swimming would be the H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark in Anchorage.
Arizona: Skyline Aquatic Center
City: Mesa
The Skyline Aquatic Center is an Olympic-sized outdoor public pool that offers a sloped, walk-in entrance, numerous diving boards, 28 swim lanes, and an incredible fast-looping waterslide.
Arkansas: Wilson Park Pool
City: Fayetteville
Wilson Park Pool is located inside one of Fayetteville’s most popular parks. The pool is huge—accommodating a lot of people, with shaded seating surrounding it. It has a diving board in the deepest section, and two tube slides appropriate for most ages.
California: Hansen Dam Recreation Center
City: Los Angeles
The swimming pool at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center is not only the largest pool in L.A. but also the largest pool in the entire country. It’s easily considered one of the best in entire state.
The massive pool is surrounded by sand, and offers wade-in entry points and tall, winding water slides.
Colorado: The Bay Aquatic Park
City: Broomfield
Broomfield’s The Bay Aquatic Park offers both a pool and a mini water park. The large, wade-in pool boasts two twisty body slides, an inner-tube slide, a fantastic interactive water play structure, and a toddler pool with splash pad.
Connecticut: Veterans Memorial Park
City: South Windsor
The Veterans Memorial Park includes a massive basin pool, a lap pool, a zero-depth kiddie pool, and a plunge/slide pool. Play space extends to small islands with slides.
Not only that, the pool offers featured swim nights (like noodle night), swimming contests (like the cannonball contest), and tons of seating around the pool on both concrete and luscious green grass.
Delaware: Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA
City: Newark
The Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA offers two 25-meter-long lap pools (one outdoors), and an epic activity pool that boasts water slides, fountains, and a fire hydrant spray feature.
Memberships are required, though.
Florida: Wellington Aquatics Complex
City: Wellingford
The Wellington Aquatics Complex is a state-of-the-art Olympic facility that is perfect for strong swimmers who like to compete as it offers electronic touch pads connected to scoreboards to give swimmers that competitive edge.
It also offers open swim areas with slides, and a fantastic spray ground for kids.
Georgia: Piedmont Park Pool
City: Atlanta
Here you can swim in comfortable, chlorinated waters and still get a serene view of the lake. The massive pool offers two large sections, one for lane swimming and the other for open swim, which also includes a splash pad area for kids and a relaxing “lazy river.”
Hawaii: Kroc Center Hawaii
City: Ewa Beach
The Salvation Army's Kroc Center Hawaii on Oahu is a community center that offers a lot more than just a pool—but aquatics is definitely the highlight.
It boasts a huge lap pool, numerous water slides, a large interactive water playground, and “croc” islands.
Idaho: Natatorium Pool and Hydrotube
City: Boise
The Natatorium Pool is unique in that is features an incredible, fast water chute that empties you out into a separate pool.
The huge pool offers various depths, two large diving boards, and an array of seating surrounding it.
Illinois: Westchester Swimming Pool
City: Westchester
The Westchester Swimming Pool is another massive public pool that boasts a wade-in entry zone with an interactive water-play feature, a diving board, and an exciting and twisty water slide.
There is also a separate fenced-in (and lifeguarded) section for little ones with shallow waters for safe play.
Indiana: Franklin Family Aquatic Center
City: Franklin
The Franklin Family Aquatic Center boasts an epic, twisty, 190-foot water slide as it’s main attraction. The huge pool also has a zero-depth kiddie pool with interactive water features—including water basketball.
They also host various “dive in” movies during the summer.
Iowa: Altoona Aquatics Park
City: Altoona
Altoona Aquatics Park takes public swimming to the next level with a leisure pool, a lap pool, and a plunge pool that boasts two huge, winding flume slides. This park is said to be one of Altoona’s top attractions.
It also features a sand play area, diving boards, and even welcomes canine swimmers at certain times during the summer.
Kansas: Lawrence Aquatic Center
City: Lawrence
The Lawrence Aquatic Center provides an array of exciting options for kids this summer, including fountains, sprays, water buckets, a zero-depth kidding zone, and a playground.
Serious swimmers can enjoy the 50-meter swim lanes.
Kentucky: Berea Swimming Pool
City: Berea
Kentucky’s favorite pool offers a awesome 10-foot water slide, an exciting 30-foot twisty water slide, competition-sized diving boards, eight lap lanes, and various fountains.
They also have “dive in” movies, and free swim nights after a certain time.
Louisiana: Leesville Leisure Pool
City: Leesville
The Leesville Leisure Pool is a great spot for young families as it offers various spray features, a small open water slide, and wade-in entry points.
While it may not be as big as the others, it is said to be a hit on those hot summer days.
Maine: Alfond Municipal Pool Complex
City: Waterville
There is fun for all ages at Alfond Municipal Pool Complex in Waterville. It offers a family swim area, a spray pool, water slides, and a frog slide for the little ones.
The pool was recently renovated with a new modern facility.
Maryland: Conowingo Swimming Pool
City: Darlington
The Conowingo Swimming Pool is another one of those options where you can swim in chlorinated waters with a stunning view overlooking the Susquehanna River.
While there aren’t any water slides here, the massive pool still offers endless fun with themed swim days, dive-in movie nights, as well as an on-site snack bar and arcade room.
Massachusetts: Underwood Pool
City: Belmont
Belmont’s Underwood Pool was the first pool in the nation, and it underwent an incredible renovation in 2015 adding a deeper pool and a diving board.
There are actually two separate pools here—one with a decent sized waterslide and a splash zone for kids, and the other designed with lap lanes and a diving board.
Michigan: Trenton Kennedy Aquatic Center
City: Trenton
The Trenton Kennedy Aquatic Center is said to be the place to cool off in the summer. The 13,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility has four different areas connected by a water walkway—to keep visitors swimming.
Within these areas, you’ll find a 25-meter 8-lane competitive pool with two diving boards, a 15-meter lap pool, a water slide with separate splash area, and a 7,000-square-foot leisure pool.
Minnesota : The Como Regional Park Pool
City: St. Paul
If you’re looking for a water park with public pool prices, the Como Regional Park Pool is it.
This place boasts a 400-foot lazy river, a zip line, an aquatic climbing wall, basketball hoops, a six-lane lap pool, and various aquatic classes.
Mississippi: Vicksburg City Pool
City: Vicksburg
The Vicksburg City Pool is an Olympic-size pool that caters to water sports—both recreational and competitive.
There’s also a baby pool for younger swimmers.
Missouri: Maplewood Family Aquatic Center
City: Maplewood
The Maplewood Family Aquatic Center has two sections: a 50-meter competition lap pool, and a zero-depth entry pool with two tall and windy water slides, water spray features, and a lazy river.
Montana: Electric City Water Park
City: Great Falls
The Electric City Water Park is nothing short of fantastic. Spanning 50-meters, it’s the largest heated pool in the state. It has multiple slides (big and small), a lazy river, a climbing wall, and a surfing attraction.
The facility also boasts Little Squirt Soak Zone—a designated kiddie area with shallow water and multiple water spray features.
Nebraska: Papio Bay Aquatic Center
City: Papillion
This 5-acre aquatic center is another place you’ll get water park amenities for public pool prices. Throughout this facility you’ll find a children’s butterfly slide, two water slides, diving boards, wading pools, designated lap lanes, sand play area, sand volleyball courts, and an awesome concession stand.
Nevada: Henderson Multigenerational Outdoor Competition Pool
City: Henderson
Beat the desert heat at Henderson Pool—known for its magnitude of aquatic activities. From swimming lessons and fitness classes, the main pool has a minimum depth of 7-feet and accommodates water polo and synchronized swimming.
There’s also a diving tank for competitive diving, and an activity pool full of water spray features for casual swimmers and kids.
New Hampshire: Peirce Island Outdoor Pool
City: Portsmouth
Pierce Island Pool boasts an amazing view of the Piscataqua River and neighboring state of Maine. This massive pool takes and oval shape and stretches 300-feet-long and 100-feet-wide.
It has a gentle slope that takes you from 14 inches to 6-feet.
New Jersey: Fort Monmouth Recreation Area
City: Tinton Falls
While many public pools in New Jersey require a membership or pricy fees, the For Monmouth Recreational Pool offers a more reasonable daily rate.
The pool may not offer huge water slides, but it does have various pool toys for visitors, shallow and deep ends, and plenty of space.
New Mexico: Los Padillas Aquatic Center
City: Albuquerque
The Los Padillas Aquatic Center features wade-in entry, and a fantastic splash zone for kids. There is also a decent sized water slide to appeal to the older kids.
New York: Astoria Park Pool
City: Astoria
At 330-feet in length, the Astoria Pool is the largest pool in New York City and one of the largest and most popular pools in the country.
Aside from the massive, beautiful pool with a stunning view, you’ll also find other fun amenities close by like tennis courts, a track, a bandstand, basketball courts, playgrounds, trails and more.
North Carolina: Cordelia Pool
City: Charlotte
The Cordelia Pool is a large outdoor pool that offers lane swimming, casual swim areas, and even three decent sized waterslides for kids. There’s plenty of space to lay out a towel, or grab a table with an umbrella.
North Dakota: Veterans Memorial Pool
City: West Fargo
The Veterans Memorial Pool offers a whole lot of fun for a low, low price. With separated pool sections, large twisty water slides, and multiple water spray features, kids will feel like they’re at a fancy waterpark.
Ohio: Grizzly Outdoor Pool
City: Wadsworth
The Grizzly Outdoor Pool boasts a plunge tube, a diving board, a kiddie pool with zero-depth entry, various water spray features and plenty of lounge furniture
It’s the perfect place to beat the heat with small kids.
Oklahoma: Earlywine Park Aquatic Center
City: Oklahoma City
The Earlywine Park Aquatic Center offers twisty funnel slides, numerous spray features and a wade-in toddler zone.
With lots of space to lounge, it’s a hit for families on a hot summer day.
Oregon: Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool
City: Portland
Formerly known as Wilson Outdoor Pool, the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool offers five designated lap lanes, and a leisure pool with a 170-foot current channel. There’s also various water play structures for kids, and a 114-foot water slide.
Pennsylvania: Marsh Creek Pool
City: Downingtown
The Marsh Creek Pool is known as an oasis in the midst of a meadow. The large pool is surrounded by lush park, and offers a separate huge splash pad with a multitude of water spray features.
There is also a bathhouse and changing areas.
Rhode Island: Zuccolo Pool
City: Providence
Zuccolo Pool is popular for a few reasons: the relaxing poolside deck, the exciting splash pad for kids, and the free admission.
Need we say more?
South Carolina: Maxcy Gregg Pool
City: Columbia
The Maxcy Gregg Pool is a recently renovated 50-meter pool designed for competitive swimming. They offer various swim classes and open swim.
South Dakota: Drake Springs Family Aquatic Center
City: Sioux Falls
The Drake Springs Family Aquatic Center offers a huge zero-depth entry pool with a slide and two diving boards—plus a lazy river with available tubes for visitors to use.
There’s also a separate splash pad area for kids.
Tennessee: Oak Ridge Outdoor Municipal Pool
City: Oak Ridge
The Oak Ridge Outdoor Municipal Pool is said to be one of the largest spring water pools in the nation. That’s right, this pool is fed by a natural spring.
The pool boasts a diving platform, sectioned lap lanes, and sectioned casual swim zones of various depths. Pool floats are available to visitors as well.
Texas: Jack Carter Pool
City: Plano
Jack Carter Pool is a massive outdoor pool that features a dual-rider tube slide, a body slide, a lazy river, a deep-water pool with diving platform and climbing wall, a surf simulator, a toddler pool, and a leisure pool with lap lanes, wet deck areas, and spray features.
The pool was also the location for the 2018 Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Swimming Lesson.
If none of that convinces you, the price will. You can spend the day here for less than 10 bucks.
Utah: The Murray Aquatic Center
City: Murray
The Murray Aquatic Center boasts a massive, four-story water slide, huge 3-meter diving boards, a zero-depth entry beach area, various water toy features, and a ton of deck and grass lounge space.
Vermont: Waterbury Swimming Pool
City: Waterbury
The Waterbury Swimming Pool is a 25-yard pool with a zero-depth entry and a 4-foot ledge surrounding its 10-foot-deep end.
The pool offers an array of swimming lessons and aquatic activities.
Virginia: Westover Pool
City: Harrisonburg
The Westover Pool is actually three separate pools that include a diving area, a splash pad, a climbing wall, water slides and an Olympic-size pool. There is also a sectioned spot with picnic tables and umbrellas for eating.
Washington: Colman Pool
City: Seattle
Colman Pool is said to be a Seattle landmark that should not be missed. The 50-meter, eight-lane Olympic-size pool is heated, and filled with salt water. Which is fitting since it is also situated on a beach.
There’s a giant tube slide and various water activities offered.
West Virginia: Cameron Swimming Pool
City: Cameron
The Cameron Swimming Pool is a semicircular pool with a designated diving area and an underground lifeguard station.
The diving end and the shallow end are fenced off, so parent’s can relax while their children play safely. There’s also a gazebo, picnic tables, chairs and swings.
Wisconsin: Monona Pool
City: Monona
The large Monona Pool boasts a water slide, multiple diving boards, a wading pool, and eight 25-meter lap lanes.
Wyoming: Washington Park Pool
City: Buffalo
At over 1 million gallons and 393-feet by 262-feet, the Washington Park Pool was once the world's largest free outdoor pool.
It offers various lanes for lap swimming, sectioned-off shallow ends, and a handful of water spray features.