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.

Cool water, hot sun, and the very specific Austin ritual of pretending 68 degrees isn't actually…read morefreezing. Barton Springs Pool is one of those places where you walk in confident, dip a toe, and immediately reconsider every life choice that led you here. The setting is undeniably gorgeous -- big open lawn, limestone edges, and that classic "everyone here looks like they do yoga at sunrise" vibe. Once you're in, though, it's great. The water is clear, refreshing, and shockingly consistent year‑round. It's the kind of cold that first feels like punishment and then suddenly feels like therapy. The crowd is a mix of locals who swim laps like it's their religion, families trying to convince their kids the water isn't that cold, and visitors who clearly didn't know what they were signing up for. Logistics-wise, it's Austin, so parking can be a mild adventure depending on when you go. The grassy areas fill up fast, and you'll definitely see at least one person sunbathing in a spot that makes you wonder how they got there. But the place is clean, well‑maintained, and big enough that you can usually find your own little corner of summer. If you're expecting a warm, lazy pool float afternoon, this isn't it. If you want a classic Austin experience that shocks you awake and then chills you out, Barton Springs delivers every time.