Best Atlanta Pools: Top Spots To Cool Off, Swim Laps, and Relax

Atlanta summers are hot, humid, and long—perfect for spending serious time at the pool. Whether you want a family-friendly splash zone, lap swimming, resort-style lounging, or skyline views, the best Atlanta pools offer something for every kind of swimmer.

This guide focuses on public, community, and easily accessible pools in and around Atlanta, along with tips on passes, hours, and what to expect locally.

Types of Pools in Atlanta

Atlanta’s pool scene falls into a few main categories:

• City of Atlanta public pools – budget-friendly, neighborhood-focused.
• DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and other county pools – great if you live in the metro area.
• Recreation and community center pools – often indoors and open year-round.
• Hotel and rooftop pools – best for visitors or day-pass lounging.
• Specialty pools and aquatic centers – waterslides, lazy rivers, and competitive swim facilities.

Understanding what you want—lap swimming, kid fun, or a “daycation” feel—will help you pick the right spot.

Top City of Atlanta Public Pools

The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation operates several outdoor pools each summer, typically from Memorial Day through early fall. These are some of the most centrally located and popular.

1. Historic Washington Park Pool

Washington Park Aquatic Center
102 Ollie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30314

Located just west of downtown, Washington Park is known as one of Atlanta’s historic Black neighborhoods and offers a large outdoor pool that’s popular with families and youth swim programs.

Why Atlantans like it:

• Strong community atmosphere.
• Close to the Westside BeltLine Trail.
• Often hosts city-run swim lessons and programming.

Best if you live in the Westside, Vine City, or Mozley Park areas or want a community-focused environment.

2. Candler Park Pool

Candler Park Pool
1500 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Candler Park’s pool sits inside a shaded intown park near Little Five Points and Lake Claire. It’s a favorite for intown families.

Highlights:

• Walkable from nearby neighborhoods.
• Shallow areas convenient for younger swimmers (with supervision).
• Combine a swim with a picnic, playground time, or a round of disc golf.

Great for residents of Candler Park, Inman Park, Edgewood, and Decatur-adjacent neighborhoods.

3. Grant Park Pool

Grant Park Pool
625 Park Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

In one of Atlanta’s oldest and largest parks, Grant Park Pool is close to the Zoo Atlanta area and surrounded by trees and walking paths.

Why it stands out:

• Close to plenty of street parking.
• Good mix of families, casual swimmers, and neighborhood regulars.
• Easy to pair with zoo visits, playground time, or a walk around the park’s loop.

A strong choice if you live near Grant Park, Summerhill, Ormewood Park, or Glenwood Park.

4. Adams Park Pool

Adams Park Pool
1620 Delowe Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

Serving Southwest Atlanta, Adams Park features a community pool in a large park setting with ballfields and walking areas.

Good for:

• Southwest ATL residents who want to stay close to home.
• Pairing a swim with a park day.
• Accessing city-run youth programs and swim lessons when available.

5. Outdoor Pools at City Recreation Centers

Several Atlanta recreation centers have outdoor seasonal pools and sometimes indoor facilities. Locations to know include:

• Rosel Fann Recreation Center – 365 Cleveland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30354
• Pittman Park Recreation Center – 950 Garibaldi St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
• Ben Hill Recreation Center – 2405 Fairburn Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

These often host:

• Swim lessons
• Youth swim teams
• Water safety programs
• Open swim hours for the public

If you’re looking for structured activities for kids or low-cost swim instruction, start by contacting the closest city recreation center and ask about its pool schedule.

Best Pools for Lap Swimming in and Around Atlanta

If your priority is exercise rather than lounging, look for lap lanes, consistent hours, and indoor options for year-round training.

1. City of Atlanta Indoor & Year-Round Options

Availability can vary, but some recreation centers offer indoor pools or partially covered pools suitable for lap swimming. Call ahead to confirm:

• MLK Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center (name may vary by season/location)
  Typically in or near the downtown/eastside area, often used for lessons and lap swimming.

Ask about:

• Lap swim blocks vs. open swim.
• Reservation requirements.
• Resident vs. non-resident fees.

2. Metro County Aquatic Centers

If you live or work in the metro area, county-run aquatic centers can be some of the best lap-swim facilities:

Cobb County Example

Central Aquatic Center
520 Fairground St SE, Marietta, GA 30060

Known for:

• Multiple lap lanes.
• Competitive swimming and diving use.
• Indoor year-round access.

Gwinnett County Example

Mountain Park Aquatic Center
1063 Rockbridge Rd SW, Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Features:

• Indoor pool with lap lanes.
• Family recreational areas.
• Programs for youth and adults.

DeKalb County Example

BHAA (Bessie Branham or county-operated centers) may offer indoor lanes; details can change, so check with DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs for current lap swim locations.

These facilities are especially good if you’re training for triathlons, prefer early-morning swims, or want reliable year-round access.

Family-Friendly & Kid-Oriented Pools

When you’re swimming with kids, you’ll usually want shallow zones, lifeguards, and extras like splash pads or slides.

1. Neighborhood Park Pools (Within City Limits)

Many Atlanta city pools are already kid-friendly, but some are particularly popular with families because of their layout and surrounding park space:

• Candler Park Pool – shaded park, playground nearby.
• Grant Park Pool – large park with walking paths and playgrounds.
• Washington Park Pool – often active with youth programs.

Tips for families:

• Go earlier in the day for lighter crowds.
• Confirm age/height requirements for deep-end swimming.
• Ask whether lifejackets or floaties are allowed.

2. Metro Water Parks and Aquatic Centers

Outside the city proper, several county aquatic centers feel more like small water parks, with slides, play structures, and zero-entry pools. These aren’t in the City of Atlanta but are commonly used by Atlanta families:

• South Cobb Aquatic Center
  875 Six Flags Dr, Austell, GA 30168

• Bogan Park Aquatic Center
  2723 N Bogan Rd NE, Buford, GA 30519

• West Gwinnett Park & Aquatic Center
  4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071

They typically offer:

• Indoor and/or outdoor pools
• Shallow leisure pools
• Water play features and slides

You’ll need to drive, but many Atlanta residents consider these worth the trip for kid-focused fun.

Rooftop & Hotel Pools with a “Daycation” Feel

If you’re visiting Atlanta—or you live here and want a resort-style pool day—rooftop and hotel pools provide the skyline views and lounge chairs you won’t find at standard public pools.

Popular Areas for Rooftop Pools

You’ll find many rooftop and elevated hotel pools in:

• Downtown – walkable to tourist attractions, arenas, and convention sites.
• Midtown – near nightlife, arts venues, and Peachtree Street.
• Buckhead – upscale hotel pools near shopping districts.

What to ask when you call:

• Do you allow day passes for non-guests?
• Are there age restrictions (adults-only vs. family-friendly)?
• Is there a dress code or minimum spend for cabanas or loungers?
• Is the pool heated or seasonal?

These pools tend to be best for:

• Visitors wanting a hotel stay with great pool access.
• Locals celebrating birthdays, bridal parties, or special events.
• Adults seeking a more relaxed, less kid-centric environment.

Simple Comparison: Best Atlanta Pool Options by Goal

How to Choose the Best Pool in Atlanta for You

When you’re comparing Atlanta pools, think about:

1. Location & Transit

   • Are you driving or using MARTA?
   • City pools like Candler Park and Grant Park are easier for intown residents.
   • County aquatic centers may require a longer drive but often have more features.

2. Cost

   • City of Atlanta pools are typically lower cost than private clubs or hotel day passes.
   • County pools sometimes charge higher non-resident rates, so check if your address affects pricing.

3. Season & Weather

   • Most outdoor public pools in Atlanta run late May through early fall.
   • For winter or rainy days, you’ll want indoor aquatic centers.

4. Crowd Level

   • Expect weekend afternoons to be the busiest.
   • For lap swimming or quiet lounging, try weekday mornings or early openings.

5. Amenities

   • Need showers, lockers, or shaded seating?
   • With kids, look for zero-entry areas, shallow zones, and lifeguards.
   • For adults, consider loungers, food options, and quiet hours.

Practical Next Steps for Finding Current Info

Because hours, fees, and even pool availability can change from year to year, it’s smart to verify details before you go.

Here’s how to check the latest:

• City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
  City Hall or local recreation centers can provide:

  • Current pool list
  • Hours and seasonal dates
  • Swim lesson schedules
  • Youth and adult aquatics programs

• County Parks & Recreation Departments (Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Fulton)
  Call or visit the nearest aquatic center or parks office to ask about:

  • Indoor vs. outdoor options
  • Resident vs. non-resident pricing
  • Special features (slides, lazy rivers, etc.)

• Hotel Front Desks or Concierge
  Ask directly about:

  • Day-pass availability
  • Visitor policies
  • Pool hours and any blackout dates for events

With a little planning, you can match your needs—whether it’s kids splashing on a Saturday, serious lap training, or skyline lounging—to one of the many Atlanta pools spread across the city and metro area.