Outdoor Swimming Pools in Boston

Lots of space and shade make the pool at The Clubs at Charles River Park special. 

1. The Clubs at Charles River Park—Boston

While there are no tricky slides, CRP boasts the biggest pool in the city, which is a godsend on a hot and crowded day. You can count on a shallow kiddie pool and a great snack bar, too. There are no day passes, but seasonal and even monthly memberships are available, which earn you access to fun classes and socials.

Outdoor Swimming Pools North of Boston

2. Ipswich YMCA—Ipswich 

Another YMCA boasting an over-the-top outdoor pool area in Ipswich.  This pool and water park features multiple slides for every size, a ropes course over the top of the pool, a splash and spray area, and plenty of room to set up camp for the day and relax. You can join the Y for the summer and also access the indoor pool, gym, classes, and free childcare.

Outdoor Swimming Pools South of Boston

Find splash pads and spraygrounds at some of the swimming pools with day passes around Boston.

3. Dedham Health and Athletic Club—Dedham

This club's water park has multiple pools to splash in. Bigger kids can ride one of two huge water slides and grab a tube for some fun in the wave pool. The club also has a zero-depth entry pool with a pirate ship and tipping bucket that's perfect for toddlers. Along with the pools, there are plenty of other ways to get wet, including bumper boats and a spraying palm tree. There's also poolside dining and ongoing kid's activities all summer long. You can opt for a membership that includes the use of indoor fitness facilities as well as the pool or just join the Summer Club for a pool membership. 

Outdoor Swimming Pools West of Boston

The Underwood Pool has a large shallow end that's perfect for little kids.

4. Underwood Pool—Belmont 

Underwood is a public pool, but it’s one of the more upscale pools around. Recently redesigned, the pool has a large shallow end with a twisty slide for taller kids, as well as a smaller deep end with a diving board and a number of swimming lanes. Note: kids have to take a test to swim in the deep end, but tests are held every two hours in the afternoon. There is always an ice cream truck parked outside, and Stone Hearth Pizza has a stand at the pool all day long if you want to buy pizza. Family memberships are $365 for the season for residents or $675 for non-residents.

5. Lifetime Fitness—Framingham

Lifetime has a lovely pool with two slides in the deep end, a shallow end with water features, and a separate lane pool for dedicated swimmers. Deck chairs with umbrellas back up to a quiet field, allowing parents to watch their kids swim from relative relaxation. There's a poolside cafe so you don't have to worry about packing lunch too! Day passes are $50 per day. Or, become a gym member for varying fees.

 
Codman has separate pools for tots and big kids.

6. Codman Pool—Lincoln 

Codman is a beautiful–and quiet–bucolic option for families. Located behind the town schools, the pool is in an enormous field. With a toddler pool, a lane pool, and a slide, this pool is sure to please the whole family. Codman Pool has entertainment on summer evenings and a snack bar. After swimming, the kids can run in the field or watch people play baseball. Family memberships are $330 per resident or $580 per non-resident, with daily rates at $10 per person.

7. JCC Greater Boston—Newton 

The large main pool has a zero-depth entrance perfect for younger kids, an inflatable slide, and lap lanes. Besides the main pool, there is a kiddie pool for the littlest of swimmers. The JCC has a picnic area and playground that includes foosball and ping pong for when you want to take a break from swimming. Monthly and full summer memberships for the pool are available. 

The big slide and a splashy turtle are highlights at the pool at the Waltham YMCA.

8. Waltham YMCA—Waltham 

This YMCA pool is a notch above most, with a shallow end and waterslide, a lane pool, a deep end, and a separate kiddie pool with a splashing turtle feature. You can join the Y for the summer to access the indoor pool, the gym, and the classes.

All photos courtesy of the pools or clubs. Lead photo courtesy of Canva