Barton Springs
- Soaking temperature
- 68-70°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
the soaking pool runs 68 to 70°F at Barton Springs, a developed hot spring in Travis County, Texas, managed by City of Austin Parks and Recreation (Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park).
Closures and warnings
No coolers, food, alcohol, tobacco, hard balls, or portable speakers in the pool complex. Inflatable toys only in 5 ft of water or less. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Developed |
|---|---|
| Soaking temperature | 68-70°F |
| Pools | 1 |
| Soakable | Yes |
| Clothing | Swimsuit required |
| Soaking allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Spring |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | Mild |
| Lifeguards | Guarded swim 8 a.m.-10 p.m. most days; early hours swim at your own risk until guards on duty. |
| Water clarity | City: underground springs feed the pool at an average about 68-70 degrees for year-round swimming. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Zilker Park paid lots near Barton Springs Pool; entry via ATXswims ticket or on-site kiosk. |
| Fee | Adult $5 resident / $9 non-resident (18-62); lower child/junior/senior rates; infants and veterans free |
| Hours | Daily 5 a.m.-10 p.m. except Thursday cleaning closure 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; guarded swim 8 a.m.-10 p.m. most days |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | City of Austin Parks and Recreation (Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Shade | Yes |
| Note | Three-acre spring-fed pool in Zilker Park; bathhouse area under construction changes entry path as posted. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Barton Springs open?
No coolers, food, alcohol, tobacco, hard balls, or portable speakers in the pool complex. Inflatable toys only in 5 ft of water or less. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Daily 5 a.m.-10 p.m. except Thursday cleaning closure 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; guarded swim 8 a.m.-10 p.m. most days.
How hot is Barton Springs?
The soaking pool runs 68 to 70°F. There is 1 pool.
Can you soak at Barton Springs?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Barton Springs. A mild current is reported here. Lifeguards: Guarded swim 8 a.m.-10 p.m. most days; early hours swim at your own risk until guards on duty.
How do you get to Barton Springs?
The road in is paved. Parking: Zilker Park paid lots near Barton Springs Pool; entry via ATXswims ticket or on-site kiosk.
Do you need a reservation for Barton Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Barton Springs free?
The fee is Adult $5 resident / $9 non-resident (18-62); lower child/junior/senior rates; infants and veterans free.
Is Barton Springs clothing optional?
No. Swimsuits are required at Barton Springs.
Nearby
Sources
2
- https://www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / pool size context, hotSpring.soakingTempF / swimmerNotes.waterClarityNote, hotSpring.development / soakable / poolCount)
- https://www.austintexas.gov/services/visit-barton-springs-pool (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours, access.fee, rules.dogs / glass / hazardNote prohibited items, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / lifeguardSeason / waterType, access.parking / roadSurface / amenities, rules.clothing, swimmerNotes.entryType / current / permitRequired)
More: Texas hot springs