Barton Springs Pool I heard from movies, hippie vibes and just general word of mouth content over…read morethe years in regards to what is in the Austin area. So I wanted to make sure we made a stop here while we were in Austin as it seemed essential for having a good city experience here. Barton Springs is open every day but Thursdays so plan accordingly for that. I am told it's a day where they clean the pool. It took a little bit of navigating to get to the pool as we had to plan to come here on a hot day as opposed to a rainy day which we were encountering here on our trip but it worked out fine. We landed on a warm day and got pool time. And Barton Springs is perfect to come to on a hot day. The temperature is between 68-70 degrees which makes it great swimming all year round here. The bottom of the pool has plant life and it's not all concrete and polished at the bottom so be aware of that... it's definitely has a natural look. There are also signs not to touch the rocks at the bottom as it is the home to some rare amphibians I believe. But aside from that as long as you follow the signs you're good. The water is extremely refreshing and invigorating and even after leaving the pool and you are on your way you still feel for a while thise sensations which added more to the impressive experience we had here. Parking fees and entrance fees to the pool are reasonable. It's $5 if you are a resident and $9 if you aren't. I highly, highly recommend making a stop at Barton Springs if you are in Austin... it definitely helps complete the city experience here.

As a tourist this was not what I was expecting. It was actually 10x better. This was a nice local…read morespot I'm happy we were able to learn about and had time to visit. It's a pretty big park, offering several different landscapes and activities. Great for families and outings with friends. The city views were beautiful. The forest and springs had that cooling effect that made the hot sun bearable. The springs were cold but very refreshing once fully submerged. A little too cold for my water loving 2 yr old. He also didn't like the green algae but still enjoyed the experience. Warning: VERY SLIPPERY in the springs and uneven rocky trails in some areas. Have water shoes if you don't like to be barefoot. The bottom of the springs swimming section feels smooth; slippery with some uneven dips. We stayed on the approved 4ft or less side for my kid's life vest. Bring a float or rent a canoe to enjoy the deeper waters. Pro:There are several ADA ramps we could have used for the stroller. As 1st time visitors we took some risky chances trekking down rocky slopes and too many stairs that wasn't necessary. Find the ramps. Con: Multiple entrances and parking. We were almost defeated by the parking situation on a Saturday early afternoon (1pm). We drove around over an hour looking for a spot in the many parking lots closer to the swimming pool section. With so many entries and people barely leaving it was a constant flow of new cars swooping in forcing us into lot loops. So close to turning back, we kept following the water trail and figure there had to be another way to the water! Bingo we parked on the other side of swimming section and took the 12 min walk directly through the fields to the pool area. If you're like us you'll drive around the parking lots so much you'll learn the landscapes. Must pay for parking. We got a ticket after following the advice that there are no parking fees on the weekend. Don't listen just pay the hourly rate parking fees. Swimming Pool Fee: There is a minimum fee associated with entering the springs. Fees are tiered by age and residence. As non-residents we only paid $13 ($9 adult/$4 young kid). Veterans are free, no ticket, must show VA ID. Reasonable fees for the amenities, especially the life guards and bathrooms. Downloading the app is easier and faster than standing in line at the credit card kiosks. The teller windows are a little faster but, cash only, We were pleasantly excited to also take advantage of the playground and train ride. Super cute. 2 year old loved both. Highly recommended for visitors who like to explore, be in nature and community, and stay cool.