It’s the perfect time of year to cool off at one of the many swimming pools in Charlottesville or visit some of the local spray grounds. Charlottesville parks offer both residents and non-residents access to public pools and splashpads—including a family-friendly public waterpark! In the surrounding counties, you’ll find many private or members-only swimming pools just a short drive from home.
Visit for family playtime, sign your kids up for swim lessons, or cheer on the local swim team. No matter what type of water adventure your family is looking for, the Charlottesville area has you covered.
Public Swimming Pools in Charlottesville
There are several public swimming pools in Charlottesville, both indoor and outdoor. Most of them are operated by the city, and the outdoor pools are open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Admission can be paid per person, per day, or you can purchase seasonal memberships. Kids ages 3 and under can enter for free; adults over age 60, children ages 4-17, and those with disabilities all receive discounted admission.
All City of Charlottesville pools have lifeguards on duty, but for safety, children under 8 must be supervised in the water by an adult. In addition to open swim time, many swimming pools in Charlottesville also have swim lessons during the summer, and the city’s swim team has both practices and meets during the summer. Before visiting any pool, check the website or call ahead to be sure it is open for public swimming hours.
Onesty Family Aquatic Center
The Onesty Aquatic Center is located in Meade Park in downtown Charlottesville. Rather than lap lanes, this public water park features water slides, spray features, an obstacle course, a lazy river, a diving board, and a zero-depth entry area with a play structure for younger kids.
Learn more: Onesty Family Aquatic Center or 434-295-7532
Daily admission: ages 3 and under free; city residents $1–$6; nonresidents $2–$11
Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center
Smith Aquatic Center is an indoor facility that is open year-round. The swimming pool area features lap lanes, a diving board, two water slides, zero-depth entry, an in-water play structure, and a lazy river. In addition to the pool, there is also a fitness center on the upper level of the same building, and aquatic group fitness classes are offered year-round.
Learn more: Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center or 434-970-3072
Daily admission: ages 3 and under free; city residents $4–$8; nonresidents $5.50–$11
Booker T. Washington Park Swimming Pool
This lighted outdoor swimming pool just off Preston Avenue, has play areas for swimmers of every age and skill level. It includes lap lanes, a zero-depth entry area for toddlers and non-swimmers, a mushroom fountain, and water slides of multiple sizes.
Learn more: Washington Park Pool or 434-977-2607
Daily admission: ages 3 and under free; city residents $1–$4; nonresidents $2–$8
Crozet Park Aquatics & Fitness Center
Managed by ACAC, this eight-lane outdoor swimming pool features zero-depth entry, a mushroom waterfall, a baby pool, and lap lanes. Located in Claudius Crozet Park, this swim center offers year-round aquatic amenities with a winter swim dome and various membership options. Swim lessons are available with limited capacity; discounted memberships are available based on income and family size.
Learn more: Crozet Park Pool or 434-205-4380
Daily admission: $10-$25; monthly memberships available
Before visiting any pool, check the website for season pass and/or membership information. And if you’re looking for an even bigger water adventure for your family, don’t miss our guide to Virginia’s top water parks.
Charlottesville Splashpads & Spray Grounds
If you don’t want to spend a long day at a swimming pool, your kids can still cool off at one of Charlottesville’s many splashpads and spray grounds. These can be found at four popular parks in the downtown area, and they are open daily from mid-May to mid-September. Spray grounds have no water depth, so there are no lifeguards on duty; parents must supervise children at all times.
Learn more: charlottesville.gov or 434-970-3260
Daily cost: free
Belmont Park Spray Ground & Splashpad
Address: 725 Stonehenge Avenue
Play during park hours, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Greenleaf Park Spray Ground & Splashpad
Address: 1598 Rose Hill Drive
Play during park hours, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Forest Hills Park Spray Ground & Splashpad
Address: 1022 Forest Hills Avenue
Play during park hours, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Tonsler Park Spray Ground & Splashpad
Address: 500 Cherry Avenue
Play during park hours, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Membership Swimming Pools in Charlottesville & Nearby Counties
In addition to the public pools run by the city, Charlottesville and the surrounding county have several private swimming pools and swim clubs. Some are open year-round, while others offer only summer memberships. Costs vary, though some have discounts available, and many offer swim lessons for kids.
Fry’s Spring Beach Club
Fry’s Spring Beach Club is a private nonprofit swim club in the middle of Charlottesville’s Fry’s Spring neighborhood. In addition to family swimming and lap swimming, the club hosts swim lessons, a competitive swim team, and summer camps. Annual dues from $475-$1200, plus fees for voting members. Discounts are available for full-time students and members ages 65 and over.
Learn more: Fry’s Spring Beach Club or 434-296-4181
ACAC Fitness & Wellness
The ACAC health club has swimming facilities at both its Downtown and Albemarle Square locations. Both offer indoor swimming pools that are open year-round, as well as hot tubs, saunas, and extensive fitness centers. Free on-site childcare is available; check the website for family swim hours. Membership fees vary.
Learn more: ACAC
Albemarle Square: 434-978-3800
Downtown: 434-984-3800
ACAC Adventure Central Waterpark
ACAC’s outdoor water park, Adventure Central, has the longest outdoor pool season in the area. In addition to an Olympic-size swimming pool, it also features multiple twisting water slides, a diving board, a zero-depth entry area, and a kid pool with spray grounds. Admission is included with an all-inclusive full facility or family ACAC membership.
Learn more: Adventure Central Waterpark or 434-978-7529
Brooks Family YMCA
Located in McIntire Park off Route 250, Brooks Family YMCA is part of the Piedmont YMCA Association. The facility includes pools for both lap swimming and family swimming, including a zero-depth entry area with spray features. Swim lessons are available for both members and non-members, as well as on-site childcare for members. Membership fees range from $37-$165 per month, with income-based discounts available, and include all YMCA facilities in addition to the pool.
Learn more: Brooks Family YMCA or 434-974-YMCA
Blue Ridge Swim Club
Nestled in the country near Ivy, just outside of Charlottesville, this private swim club has been open since 1913. It features a unique natural pool that is stream-fed, as well as a volleyball court, croquet lawn, and weekend musical performances. Membership fees are $225 per individual adult or $395 for an entire family, including all children.
Learn more: Blue Ridge Swim Club or 434-242-6894
Fairview Swim & Tennis Club
Located in the Belvedere neighborhood in Charlottesville, this outdoor swimming pool has diving boards, many lap lanes, and a separate kiddie pool for babies and toddlers. Fairview’s swim team is open to both members and non-members, and the pool partners with Central Virginia Swim Services to offer swim lessons throughout the summer. Membership dues for the summer range from $398 for individuals to $950 for families, with graduated tiers for couples and longtime members.
Learn more: Fairview Swim & Tennis Club or 434-973-7946
Farmington Country Club
The facilities at Farmington Country Club include a 12-foot diving well and a heated, 25-meter lap pool. The pool has a zero-depth entry to improve access for new swimmers and adults with limited mobility. Pool access is included with club membership; membership costs vary.
Learn more: Farmington Country Club or 434-296-5661
The Club at Glenmore
The Club at Glenmore is a private country club located in the Glenmore neighborhood in Keswick. The club’s aquatic amenities include a Junior Olympic pool for competitive swimming, a baby pool for the youngest swimmers, and an adult pool for those ages 21 and over. All pools are outdoor and open in the summer only. Membership costs vary.
Learn more: The Club at Glenmore or 434-817-0506
Looking for more water adventures this summer? Check out our guide to Charlottesville’s lakes, swimming holes, canoeing, kayaking, and more!
Greene Hills Pool
Greene Hills Pool is part of Greene Hills Club, a private golf club located in Greene County near Charlottesville. The 25-meter pool has hours available for lap swimming as well as open family time, and the club hosts a competitive swim team for young swimmers. Swim lessons are also available, with discounted rates for members. Membership rates vary from $177-$277 per month.
Learn more: Greene Hills Club or 434-985-7328
Hollymead Swim Club
The Hollymead Swim Club is located up North Rt. 29 from the Charlottesville downtown. This community pool offers resident memberships to owners or renters of Hollymead Neighborhood, Hollymead Square Townhomes, and SomerChase Townhomes. There are also a limited number of non-resident memberships on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as swim team-only memberships. The pool is open on weekends only from Memorial Day until the start of the county school year. Membership costs range from $140-$650 for the summer.
Learn more: Hollymead Citizens Association or 540-751-1888
Key West Swim & Tennis Club
The Key West Swim and Tennis Club is located along the Rivanna River in northern Charlottesville. Its 40-acre facility includes a heated 25-meter swimming pool with a diving well and a separate toddler pool. The club’s swim team participates in the Jefferson Swim League, and swim lessons are available to both members and non-members, with members receiving a discounted rate. Teen memberships are available for those who participate in swim team but are not otherwise members. Membership rates for the season range from $175 to $750.
Learn more: Key West Swim & Tennis Club or 434-977-7665
Old Trail Swim Club
Part of the Old Trail Village Clubs, this outdoor facility is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet. The Swim Club, which is open in summer only, includes a large swimming pool with a diving board and zero-depth entry edge for young swimmers or adults with limited mobility. There is also a wading pool for infants and toddlers. Unlimited access memberships are available for $1200 for up to six people; daily fee memberships start at $375 plus $5 per day.
Learn more: Old Trail Swim Club or 434-823-1670
Continue the fun with more summertime adventures, including the best of Virginia children’s museums, county fairs, and day trips!
is a Virginia native and mom of 3 young children. She enjoys experiencing all the Charlottesville area has to offer for families.