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California Park Pool
Photograph: Courtesy Chicago Parks

The best public swimming pools in Chicago

Find a new place to go swimming, diving and sliding with our guide to Chicago's best public pools

Zach Long
Lindsay Eanet
Written by
Zach Long
&
Lindsay Eanet
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With only a precious few weeks of summertime in Chicago, the universe is begging you to get outside and enjoy it. Of course, there are countless street festivals and neighborhood parties and dreamy alfresco dining opportunities at Chicago's best outdoor restaurants. But as the temperature and humidity tick up, it's the perfect time to cool off by the water. If heading to the lake and enjoying one of Chicago's best beaches isn't your jam, the Chicago Park District offers dozens of public swimming pools all over the city—free of charge. Whether you want serene lap lanes, kid-friendly water playgrounds and slides or just a place to lounge, you'll find it among the best swimming pools in Chicago. Just be sure to check the pool schedule so you show up at the proper swim times! 

RECOMMENDED: Find more things to do in the summer

Top swimming pools in Chicago

  • Things to do
  • Washington Park

A green space as grand as Washington Park deserves an exceptional summer attraction. How about a 50-meter heated pool surrounded by an enormous deck, complete with stadium seating? Connected to the main pool is a kidney-shaped side pool with a zero-depth entrance that gradually gets deeper. Plus, there's a water slide for thrillseekers.

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  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • East Garfield Park

Just like the plants in the Garfield Park Conservatory, humans need water to survive the summer. Once you're done admiring the foliage, head toward the gold-domed field house, where you'll find one of the city's most tucked-away spots for a swim.

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  • Literary events
  • Roseland

Sometimes referred to as Palmer Water Park, this Pullman park has the most serious collection of water slides of any public pool in the city. Best of all, the slides descend into dedicated pools, so you won't have to dodge kids splashing into the water from above.

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  • Things to do
  • Avondale

In the shadow of the Kennedy Expressway, this five-lane outdoor pool is easily accessible from the Belmont Blue Line station. A mini spray pool allows little ones to get in on the summer fun.

  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • North Park

After taking a stroll through nearby Bohemian National Cemetery or a bike ride on the North Branch Trail, chill out in the small (but totally refreshing) pool in Gompers Park.

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  • Things to do
  • North Lawndale

This beloved sprawling community park is more than just the location of Riot Fest—among its amenities is a 50-yard, six-lane pool perfect for laps. After a dip, explore the park, which also sports a lily pool and beautiful garden, playgrounds and even an 18-hole mini golf course.

Holstein Park
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  • Bucktown

With few public pools in Logan Square, this Bucktown park is a destination for area residents in need of some cool, chlorinated water to swim in.

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  • Things to do
  • Fuller Park

Fuller Park may look like a private estate, but its facilities are open to the public. That includes the pool, which is located next to the spacious baseball field. The park also boasts an interactive water spray feature for the kids.

  • Things to do
  • Avalon Park

Grab a treat from Dat Donut (at 83rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue) and walk to Avalon Park, where you'll find a six-lane pool with one of the rarest of features: an honest-to-God water slide.

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  • Things to do
  • Portage Park

Portage Park houses an Olympic-size pool so cush it played host to the 1972 Olympic swimming trials. The pool’s best feature is its 25-meter diving well, home to a diving platform so high you’ll have to reposition your swimsuit before you exit the water.

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  • Things to do
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  • Norwood Park

The only thing that trumps a Slip ’N Slide for summertime fun is a real live water slide. Norwood Park's slide might not be as big or fast as a water park's, but it's free to use (and nearly as much fun).

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  • Things to do
  • Lincoln Square

As much as we'd love to take a dip in the Chicago River, it's probably best to stick to this public pool in River Park. Once you're done, head to nearby Lincoln Square for a rooftop bite at Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen.

  • Things to do
  • River West/West Town

Located near Wicker Park and Bucktown, this 30-meter public pool is a popular destination for kids (and their guardians) during the hot summer months. The water playground next door is great for little ones who haven't graduated from swimming lessons yet.

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  • Things to do
  • Uptown

Sure, you can catch a show at the Aragon or the Riv, but this Uptown swimming hole offers views of intense matches taking place on the adjacent tennis courts.

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  • Things to do
  • West Loop

Want to take a lunchtime dip? Union Park (home to Pitchfork Music Festival) is less than 10 minutes away from the Loop on the Green or Pink Line. Take a long lunch, swim a few laps and come back to the office smelling like chlorine.

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  • New City

The majority of Sherman Park is an island in the middle of the city, surrounded by a manmade river. The park's pool is on the north side of the park—and you won't have to swim across a channel to get to it. 

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  • Things to do
  • Gage Park

Head down Western Avenue from the Western Orange Line station and you'll find yourself in Gage Park, where a 48-yard, six-lane pool awaits. You could easily stop by for a quick swim on your way to or from Midway Airport.

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  • Things to do
  • Austin

If the pool at Garfield Park is a little too crowded, head farther west to Clark (John) Park, where you'll find this small three- to four-feet deep pool—perfect for a quick summer dip.

  • Things to do
  • North Lawndale

In a section of the city where public pools are scarce, this North Lawndale park provides a body of water large enough for swimming laps or splashing around with the kids on a hot summer day.

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  • Sports and fitness
  • River West/West Town

Visitors to this West Town park can take a few laps around the soccer pitch before diving into Smith Park's ample 25-yard pool or cooling off in the water spray feature.

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When Hamlin Park Pool is too crowded, your best bet nearby (seven minutes driving or eight minutes by bike) is this compact Lincoln Park pool. If you want to work up a sweat before jumping in, take a jog around the athletic track or challenge friends and neighbors to some sand volleyball on the nearby court.
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Ogden Pool
Photograph: Shutterstock

31. Ogden Pool

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the 63rd street corridor and take a dip at Englewood's Ogden Pool nearby. The 60-acre park also offers three playgrounds, a carousel, a boxing gym and courts for a variety of sports. 
Cool off here after a serene summer stroll through Caldwell Woods on the far Northwest Side. Unlike the other public pools on this list, Whealan Pool is run by the Cook County Forest Preserves and charges an entry fee ($5 for kids ages 4-12; $7 for 13+), but with that entry fee comes access to water slides, a lap pool, a lounge area and a splash-tastic water playground. 
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