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with food trucks and grass for picnics, the Palisades Park Swim Club is a perfect place to swim for the day. Photo courtesy of the club

Best Swimming Pools With Day Passes in Northern NJ

1. Palisades Park Swim Club – Palisades Park

Open: Weekends in June; daily starting at the end of June
All New Jersey residents are welcome to purchase day passes at the Palisades Park Swim Club. Food trucks show up on the weekend, and food can be brought in for a picnic under the pavilion. Note that each adult must have their own valid NJ driver's license to purchase a day pass. Passes are $15 per person for Bergen County residents and $20 for nonresidents.

2. Walter E. Ulrich Pool – Rahway

Open: Weekends from Memorial Day through Father's Day weekend, then daily through summer
Located in the scenic Rahway River Park, this Union County pool offers residents and nonresidents the opportunity to swim, play, and lounge. The property includes an Olympic-size lap pool, a fenced-in baby pool, diving boards, a small playground, and a snack bar. It recently underwent a $3 million overhaul that included mechanical upgrades, a zero-entry section in the wading pool, and new sprinkler features. Parents appreciate the new in-pool seating. A designated senior and disabled persons swim time takes place on Tuesdays from 10am-11:30am. Passes cost $4-5 for Union County residents and $8-10 for nonresidents.

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Cool off in a stream-fed, chemical-free swimming pool in Ringwood. Photo courtesy of Highlands Natural Pool

3. Highlands Natural Pool – Ringwood

Open: Weekends in June and September; daily in July and August; noon-6pm
This unique combo of a lake and pool may be worthy of a day trip! The Highlands Natural Pool is located next to Norvin Green State Forest and is filled with stream-fed freshwater and contains no chemicals. While you’re there, take advantage of the snack bar, games like volleyball, and everything Norvin Green State Forest has to offer. Note that there is a $25 fee to reserve a picnic table with a charcoal grill for non-members. $17 per adult (age 18+); $10 per child (3-17 years old); ages 2 and under are FREE

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Take a break from swimming to play at the sprinkler park at Westfield Memorial Pool. Photo by Laurie Rein

4. Westfield Memorial Pool – Westfield

Open: Weekday afternoons (4pm-8pm) and weekends (10am-7pm) through Wednesday, June 22; daily through Labor Day, noon-8pm on weekdays; 10am-7:30pm on weekends
This awesome community pool is a swim club and sprinkler park in one, featuring a 50-meter pool, diving pool, water slides, and a fenced-in kiddie pool with a sprinkler park. No need to leave for lunch—the pool houses a full-menu snack bar and picnic area. Passes cost $40 per person to enter; must be purchased online in advance.

Crystal Springs Family Aquatic Center has a pool for every age! Photo courtesy of the center

Best Swimming Pools With Day Passes in Central NJ

5. Crystal Springs Family Aquatic Center – East Brunswick

Open: Weekends only through late June; daily July and August from noon-6pm; Labor Day weekend hours are noon-6pm
Spending the day at Crystal Springs is like going to an amusement park. Aside from the full-size and kiddie pools, the club includes an enclosed splash pad, a giant water slide, and even a lazy river. The cost is $25 per person; purchase online in advance before your planned visit.

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Fort Monmouth Recreation Pool is an inexpensive way to cool off with the family. Photo courtesy of the pool

6. Fort Monmouth Recreation Pool – Tinton Falls

Open daily through Monday, September 5; check the schedule for daily drop-in hours
Go for a swim at Fort Monmouth’s Olympic-sized pool. Be sure to check the pool’s open-swim schedule, as it is used by camps at certain times. While visiting, check out Fort Monmouth’s other drop-in opportunities, such as pickleball and family gym time. Weekday rates run $7/person or $20 for a family 4-pack; weekends, $10/person; $30 family 4-pack.

7. Five Star Swim School – Multiple Locations

Open year-round; schedule varies by location
Rain or shine, bring the family for a swim at Five Star's indoor, heated pool. Currently, the Cherry Hill, Eatontown, Galloway, Princeton, and Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, locations offer open swim hours, which vary by location. The cost is $19 per person or purchase a 10-punch card for $179.

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Warrenbrook's kiddie pool is a welcoming spot for little ones. Photo by Mommy Poppins

8. Warrenbrook Pool – Warren

Open weekends from Memorial Day through June 13; Daily from June 18 through Labor Day; weekdays, noon-8pm; weekends, 11am-8pm
Somerset County’s Warrenbrook Pool welcomes residents and nonresidents to spend the day swimming and relaxing. Both a large pool and kiddie pool, as well as a snack bar, are part of the facility. Costs: Children ages 4-17, $15 weekdays, $17 weekends; adults, $17 weekdays, $19 weekends; children ages 3 and under are FREE. Admission is cash-only.

9. WaterWorks Family Aquatic Center – West Windsor

Open weekends from Memorial Day weekend through Sunday, June 19; daily from June 22-Monday, September 5, 11am-8pm
With a 9,000-square-foot family pool, a lap pool, and a 1,700-square-foot wading pool, WaterWorks is the perfect spot to make a splash. Kids will love the splash pad, two-story slide, and play area. The center also features a recreation deck. Costs: Weekdays, children (ages 2-8), $15; adults, $17; weekends, children, $17; adults, $19; children under 2 are FREE.

Best Swimming Pools With Day Passes in Southern NJ

10. Roberts Pool – Collingswood

Open daily beginning Friday, June 18, noon-4pm
The Roberts Pool complex features three swimming pools, including a wading pool, plus a nearby playground. Collingswood residents pay $15 per day; nonresidents, $30 (cash only). Children 3 and under are free. ID and proof of residency or dependency must be shown; call or check the website for more information.

The post was originally published in 2016 and is updated annually.