Published: 2025 | Updated: May 2026
When summer hits the Mile High City, Denver’s outdoor pools become some of the best places to cool off, relax, and enjoy long sunny days. From lively neighborhood pools with slides and splash zones to quiet community spots perfect for a laid-back swim, there’s something for every kind of summer day.
This guide covers Denver’s public outdoor pools along with nearby options in Aurora, Lakewood, Central Park, and other summer swim destinations across the metro area.
Denver Public Outdoor Pools
Summer in Denver means pool days, neighborhood gatherings, and time outside. Denver Parks & Recreation operates 16 outdoor pools across the city, offering open swim, lap swim, swim lessons, and family-friendly programming each summer.
The 2026 outdoor pool season is expected to open Monday, June 8 and run through early August, with holiday closures and weather-dependent schedule changes. For 2026, Swansea Pool and Mestizo-Curtis Park Pool remain closed due to ongoing redevelopment projects.
North Denver Pools
Aztlan Pool – 4435 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211
A lively Highlands-area pool known for its energetic community atmosphere and proximity to parks and trails.
Barnum Pool – 370 Hooker St, Denver, CO 80219
A west Denver favorite with a welcoming, family-friendly environment and plenty of space for recreation.
Berkeley / Scheitler Pool – 5031 W 46th Ave, Denver, CO 80212
Located near Berkeley Lake Park, this pool is ideal for relaxed neighborhood swim days.
Rude Pool – 4400 S Knox Ct, Denver, CO 80236
A southwest Denver staple with strong community programming and steady summer activity.
Central Denver Pools
Congress Park Pool – 914 N Elizabeth St, Denver, CO 80206
A classic neighborhood pool in one of Denver’s most walkable areas, perfect for a relaxed swim.
La Alma Pool – 1325 W 11th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
A centrally located pool near downtown with a vibrant neighborhood feel.
Harvard Gulch Pool – 550 E Iliff Ave, Denver, CO 80210
Popular with DU students and locals, offering lap swim and recreational hours.
Garfield Lake Pool – 1295 S Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
A quieter west-side option surrounded by green space and park areas.
East Denver Pools
Montclair Pool – 729 Ulster Way, Denver, CO 80230
A calm neighborhood pool with a relaxed setting and family-friendly atmosphere.
Cook Park Pool – 7100 E Cherry Creek South Dr, Denver, CO 80224
A southeast Denver favorite with a large deck and consistent lap swim programming.
Harvey Park Pool – 2120 S Tennyson Way, Denver, CO 80219
A community-focused southwest pool known for its welcoming environment.
Northeast & Southeast Denver Pools
Green Valley Ranch Pool – 4455 Jebel St, Denver, CO 80249
A modern northeast facility with structured programming and family amenities.
Johnson Recreation Center Pool – 4809 Race St, Denver, CO 80216
A flexible indoor/outdoor facility depending on seasonal operations.
Eisenhower Recreation Center Pool – 4300 E Dartmouth Ave, Denver, CO 80222
A southeast Denver pool popular for lap swimming and consistent programming.
Closed / Redeveloping Pools
Swansea Pool – Elyria-Swansea
Closed as the site is being redeveloped into a new indoor aquatics facility.
Mestizo-Curtis Park Pool – Five Points
Closed for long-term redevelopment to expand future aquatics access.
Denver Outdoor Pool Passes (2026)
Season passes make it easy to enjoy Denver pools all summer long.
- Youth (ages 2–18): $20
- Young Adult (ages 19–24): $35
- Adult (ages 25–64): $50
- Senior (65+) / Persons with Disabilities: $30
Pricing and schedules may change throughout the season, so check Denver Parks & Recreation for the latest updates.
Aurora Outdoor Pools
Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space operates 6 outdoor pools across the city, along with seasonal spray grounds that offer free water play for families. Pools typically run from late May through early September.
Aurora Outdoor Pools (2026)
Aqua Vista Pool – 1680 S. Chambers Rd, Aurora, CO 80017
A family-friendly neighborhood pool with consistent recreational programming.
Del Mar Pool – 12000 E. 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
One of Aurora’s larger pools with space for lap swim and open recreation.
Meadow Hills Pool – 15350 E. Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013
A quieter southeast pool with a relaxed summer atmosphere.
Parklane Pool – 13081 E. Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80045
A community-focused pool near Anschutz Medical Campus.
Pheasant Run Pool – 10334 E. Pueblo Ave, Aurora, CO 80012
A lively neighborhood pool popular for family programming.
Village Green Pool – 1300 S. Chambers Rd, Aurora, CO 80017
A peaceful pool offering a more relaxed swimming experience.
Aurora Spray Grounds
Great Plains Park Spray Ground – 20100 E. Jewell Ave, Aurora, CO 80013
Free interactive splash area with playground access and picnic space.
Red-Tailed Hawk Park Spray Ground – 2624 S. Xanadu Way, Aurora, CO 80014
A shaded spray ground designed for younger kids and casual summer play.
Aurora Pool Pricing (2026)
- Youth (2–17): $5
- Adult (18–61): $7
- Older Adult (62+): $5
Spray grounds are generally free to the public.
Lakewood Outdoor Pools
Lakewood offers a mix of outdoor pools, recreation centers, and splash play areas that open seasonally each summer. Most facilities operate from late May through mid-August.
Lakewood Outdoor Pools (2026)
Carmody Recreation Center Pool – 2200 S Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80227
A major aquatic facility offering lap swim, recreation, and family-friendly amenities.
Glennon Heights Pool – 11950 W 20th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215
A neighborhood pool with lap lanes, diving board, and a relaxed community feel.
Morse Park Pool – 1700 W Mississippi Ave, Lakewood, CO 80223
A larger outdoor facility featuring a slide, climbing wall, and open swim areas.
Lakewood Splash & Spray Areas
Surfside Spray Park – 2501 S Pierce St, Lakewood, CO 80228
Interactive spray features and shaded play areas for kids.
Ray Ross Park Splash Pad – 2800 S Estes St, Lakewood, CO 80227
A simple neighborhood splash pad ideal for quick summer cooling.
Lakewood Admission & Access
- Many pools operate via drop-in admission or punch passes
- Some access included with recreation center memberships
- Splash pads are generally free
- Hours vary based on weather and staffing
Central Park Neighborhood Pools (Denver)
The Central Park community operates seven private neighborhood pools managed by the Master Community Association (MCA). Each pool has its own design, vibe, and amenities, ranging from family-focused splash features to lap swim and competitive programming. Pools typically operate from late May through Labor Day, with access available to residents and guests through the MCA Active Pass system.
Entry is managed by membership or daily guest fees, and all pools are open on a first-come, first-served basis during scheduled hours.
Central Park Pools (2026 List)
Splash Landing Pool – 9888 E 59th Pl, Denver, CO 80238
The newest and most popular pool in the neighborhood, featuring two water slides, a zero-entry area, splash features, and a large family-friendly design.
Aviator Pool – 8054 E 28th Ave, Denver, CO 80238
A community-focused pool offering youth and adult programming, lap lanes, a diving board, and a relaxed recreational swim atmosphere.
F-15 Pool – 2831 Hanover St, Denver, CO 80238
Known for its shaded layout and lap lanes, F-15 is a great option for swimmers looking for a quieter, more fitness-focused experience.
Runway 35 Pool – 8863 E 47th Ave, Denver, CO 80238
A competitive swim hub featuring lap lanes and swim team programming, with additional shallow areas for recreational use.
Puddle Jumper Pool – 2401 Xenia St, Denver, CO 80238
Designed for younger kids, this shallow zero-entry pool includes splash features, water jets, and a playful, family-friendly layout.
Jet Stream Pool – 3574 Alton St, Denver, CO 80238
A relaxed neighborhood pool with lap lanes and open swim space, offering a balanced mix of recreation and fitness use.
Maverick Pool – 8822 Beekman Pl, Denver, CO 80238
A mid-century modern style pool with a leisure-focused design, splash features, and a strong family-friendly atmosphere.
Central Park Pool Access & Pricing (2026)
Central Park pools are managed by the MCA and require either a membership or daily entry fee.
- Residents with Active Pass: Included access
- Guest / Non-member daily entry: Typically around $10 per visit (varies by day)
- Some amenities (party pads, rentals) may require additional reservation fees
Hours, swim lanes, and programming vary by pool and season, and reservations are often required for peak summer weekends.
Hotel Pools worth Checking Out
Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek
Offers a rooftop pool experience with day passes starting at $59. Amenities include drink service, food, and towels.
The Westin Denver Downtown
Features a rooftop pool with day passes starting at $35. Guests can enjoy food and drink service, a gym, and other amenities.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Day passes are available through ResortPass for the hotel’s heated rooftop pool, featuring skyline views, lounge seating, and poolside food and drink service.
Check out Resort Pass for more hotel day pass options.
Private Pool Rentals
Swimply
For a more private experience, Swimply offers hourly rentals of private pools in the Denver area. Options range from resort-style pools with slides to serene backyard settings. Prices vary based on amenities and group size.
Water Parks & Private Clubs
Water World – Federal Heights
One of the largest water parks in the country, Water World spans more than 70 acres and features slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and family attractions like the Mile High Flyer coaster. Admission typically starts around $50.99, with seasonal hours running daily in summer, weather permitting.
Paradice Island Water Park (Pioneer Park – Commerce City)
A family-friendly outdoor water park featuring slides, a lazy river, splash zones, and shaded seating areas. A popular option for all-ages summer outings.
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park – Denver
Located downtown, Elitch Gardens combines thrill rides with a full water park experience, including waterslides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.
Private & Members-Only Pools
Denver Athletic Club – 1325 Glenarm Pl, Denver, CO 80204
An exclusive downtown club featuring a rooftop pool with skyline views and full fitness amenities.
University Club of Denver – 1673 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80203
A private social club offering traditional amenities, including a well-maintained indoor pool and fitness facilities.
Tips for a Great Pool Day in Denver
- City pools are generally affordable, making them one of the best summer activities in the metro area
- Bring essentials like sunscreen, towels, water, and shade if possible
- Check pool schedules ahead of time, as hours, capacity, and programming can change during peak season
- Arrive early on hot days — popular pools often reach capacity quickly
Make the Most of Summer in Denver
Whether you're swimming laps, relaxing by the pool, or planning a full family water park day, the Denver metro area offers something for every summer style. From neighborhood pools to rooftop hotels and major water parks, there’s no shortage of ways to cool off.
Did we miss your favorite spot?
Let us know — we’re always updating this guide to include the best local summer swim destinations.
Denver living isn’t just about where you live, it’s about how you live. If you’re thinking about a move, exploring new neighborhoods, or just want a better feel for life across the metro, The Denver Group is always here as a local resource for homes, communities, and everything in between.
