Barton Springs Pool – Cool Things To Do In Austin
It’s a little cold, water temperature ranges from 68 degrees in the winter to 71.6 degrees in the summer, but you would never know it by how many people are enjoying the water. Barton Springs Pool was created as it is now after Andrew Jackson Zilker deeded the property to Austin in 1918. In the 1920’s the natural pool was dammed up to create the pool we have now and sidewalks and a bathhouse were added.
The pool exists in Zilker Park and in the channel of Barton Creek and is spring fed from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. It is over 900 feet long with a rock and gravel bottom.
“Long before Barton Springs Pool was built, the springs were considered sacred and were used for purification rituals by the Tonkawa Native American tribe who inhabited the area. Spanish explorers first discovered the springs in the 17th century, and around 1730 erected temporary missions at the site (later moving to San Antonio).
In 1837, soon after incorporation of the city of Austin, William (“Uncle Billy”) Barton, the springs’ namesake, settled the area. Barton named the three separate springs after his three daughters: Parthenia, Eliza, and Zenobia. He, and subsequent owners of the property, recognized its value as a tourist attraction, and promoted it vigorously, thus leading to the swimming hole’s lasting popularity.”
Location
2201 Barton Springs Road
Austin, Texas 78746
Fees
$3.00 per adult
$2.00 per junior 12-17
$1.00 children under 12 and seniors over 62)
fees are collected between 8 am and 9 pm.
A $5 parking fee in Zilker Park also applies on weekends, holidays, and special events.
Pool Hours
Daily 5am to 10pm
On Thursdays the pool closes from 9am to 7pm for maintenance and cleaning
Occasionally the pool is closed due to unsafe levels of bacteria,
You can call the 24 hour hotline to be sure the pool is open 512-867-3080
Learn more about Barton Springs Pool
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