As Texas summers get hotter and hotter, families looking for outdoor fun have fewer options. Luckily, the city of San Antonio has plenty of free public pools and splash pads for locals to enjoy. From kiddie pools to lap pools, residents of all ages and skill levels can make a splash this summer and find respite from the heat.
Elmendorf Lake Park
Elmendorf Lake Park‘s outdoor swimming pool goes from 4 feet to 6 feet deep and is partly shaded by colorful umbrellas. Next to the pool and across from the playscape, the park also offers a colorful splash pad area for families to play in. While they can’t swim in Elmendorf Lake, visitors can do a bit of fishing or take a scenic walk along the lake.
3700 W. Commerce St., San Antonio
Union Pacific Railroad Splash Pad
Hemisfair’s popular Yanaguana Garden is the site of this downtown splash pad where kids can cool off after playing on the adjoining playground. A shady pergola is adjacent to the splash pad, and umbrellas provide additional shade to parents keeping an eye on their little ones. There are changing rooms and restrooms nearby.
434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio
Northview Splash Pad
The 4,000-square-foot Northview Splash Pad located in Universal City boasts 16 water features and three bays for the whole family. The splash pad is painted with blue and green lily pads along the floor, complemented by interactive water sprayers resembling frogs, turtles and butterflies. Seating areas with benches and tables are available to visitors.
100 Randolph Plaza Dr., Universal City
Southside Lions Park
Southside Lions Park’s outdoor pool starts at 4 feet deep and goes to 10 feet at the deep end, which features a diving board. For the little ones, the park also offers a toddler-friendly shallow pool with sprinklers. Shaded areas with seating are available to visitors.
3100 Hiawatha St., San Antonio
Fischer Park
Fischer Park is a 62-acre scenic hillside park that offers the community a colorful splash pad with many interactive features that spray and pour water. The highlight is the large yellow bucket in the middle of the play area that fills with water and tips over to soak and cool off anyone playing below. The park includes a large shaded pavilion area with multiple picnic tables for breaks between splashing, a nature education center and two fishing ponds.
1935 Hilltop Summit Road, New Braunfels
San Pedro Springs Park
San Pedro Springs Park is San Antonio’s oldest park and offers visitors a crystal clear 200-yard swimming pool surrounded by large trees that provide the pool with shade. Though it doesn’t have any immediate seating areas along the pool, there are picnic tables scattered around the park.
2200 N. Flores St., San Antonio
Northside Independent School District Natatorium
The NISD Natatorium is a 50-meter by 25-yard indoor competitive lap pool that starts at 4 feet deep and goes to 7 feet . There are bleachers along the end of the pool, and locker rooms for visitors to change and shower. The pool is open to the public for recreational use, as well as for swimming and diving lessons, and team practices and events.
8400 N. Loop 1604 W, San Antonio
Gustav’s Geysers at the Pearl
In front of the Food Hall at the Pearl, a splash pad known as Gustav’s Geysers has cooling water jets that spray up to 12 feet high, offering kids a break from the heat. The splash pad is also lit with colorful fountain lights that allow visitors to enjoy the splash pad even after sunset. There is shaded seating and a grassy area near the splash pad.
303 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio
Park West
The Park West splash pad in Seguin is a large play area with water sprayers all along the blue floors. The fountain includes many colorful and interactive toys that spray and shoot water. The park has multiple shaded seating areas surrounding the splash pad, as well as a skate park and an ADA-accessible playscape.
623 N. Vaughan Ave., Seguin
