Summer and the outdoor swim season is almost over. Find the best Ann Arbor pools that you can visit today and all summer long. The only public pool open before Memorial Day is Fuller Park which opens for the 2026 season on May 10. With school now starting before Labor Day, pools are cutting their hours the last week or two of summer.
Outdoor Pools – Ann Arbor & Through Washtenaw County
The Ann Arbor public pools below are open to the general public with a daily admission option. Many of these public swimming pools also offer multiple visit passes and season passes.
In 2022 my daughter worked as a lifeguard at two of the Ann Arbor City Pools (primarily Buhr but Vets on occasion). She noted that Buhr Park tends to be less crowded than Vets. This became even more true since 2023 when they stopped allowing large groups like outside camps to visit Buhr Park. If you want a quieter pool, we suggest Buhr Park.
As a lifeguard parent, I also had insight into why the pools operate at reduced hours before school resumes. Most lifeguards are high school and college students. College students typically leave in mid-August to move into their dorms. High School sports also start in early to mid-August making it difficult to schedule many lifeguards.
Buhr Park Pool
Buhr Park Pool is one component of Buhr Park. The park also has a small playground, outdoor ice rink (in the winter), sports fields, tennis courts, and Cobblestone Farm. Buhr Park Pool offers a separate zero-entry tot pool with spray features and water toys.
Check out more details in our Overview of Buhr Park Pool.
At a Glance
Address: 2751 Packard Rd
Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday noon-7p, Fridays noon-8p, Weekends 1-8p
Weekdays May 23-June 11 & August 31-September 7: Monday-Friday 4-8p
Tot Splash: Weekdays: 9a-noon, Sundays 9a-1p.
Price: $8/ages 18-59, $6/Youth & Seniors
Fuller Park Pool
Fuller Park Pool is part of the City of Ann Arbor’s Fuller Park Complex. Fuller Park Pool has a water slide that looks really cool from the road. In addition to the pool, Fuller Park includes sports fields and a wooden play structure.
A few years ago my daughter asked to do a Playground Profile on Fuller Park. After arriving at the park in mid-May, I discovered her real motivation was to try the water slide. Check out our Review of Fuller Park Pool.
The waterslide only opens at 1p during summer weekdays and may be subject to lifeguard staffing.
At a Glance
Address: 1519 Fuller Rd, Ann Arbor
Hours: Lap Swim Only 7a-opening weekdays and 9a-opening weekends
General Swim: Weekdays – 11a-7:30p. Weekends & Holidays – 11a-8p
Modified General Swim Hours: Weekdays 4-7:30p,
Season: May 10-September 20 – modified operation while AAPS is in session
Price: $8/ages 18-59, $6/Youth & Seniors
Veterans Memorial Park Pool
Veterans Memorial (Vets) Pool is located at 2150 Jackson Ave. Vets Pool offers a water slide and a zero-entry kids area with water spray areas.
Awaiting Status Update for 2026
The April 15 tornado in Ann Arbor damaged the Veterans Park building. As of April 28, the entire park is closed for cleanup and repair. We will update the pool status later in May.
Don’t miss our Veterans Park Playground Profile. As a toddler and preschooler, my daughter took swim lessons at Veterans Pool, but we never visited for Open Swim. She finally went for the first time in summer 2021 and helped write our Vets Pool Overview.
At a Glance
Address: 2150 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor
Season: Awaiting Announcement
Hours: Monday-Friday 1-8p Weekends & Holidays 10a-8p.
Modified Hours: May 23-June 10- Weekdays 4-8p.
Tot Splash or Family Swim weekdays 10a-1p,
Price: $8/ages 18-59, $6/Youth & Senior
Rutherford Pool – Awaiting 2026 updates
Rutherford Pool is located in Ypsilanti’s Recreation Park.
Rutherford Pool originally opened in 1973 by the City of Ypsilanti. The Friends of Rutherford Pool took over upkeep and management in the early 2000s. The pool temporarily closed after the 2011 season. After fundraising over $1 million in grants and donations, the pool was rebuilt and opened again for the 2014 season.
The bathhouse was renovated for 2020. It includes new family changing rooms, a gender-neutral bathroom, and changes in the concession area and entrance.
At a Glance
Address: 975 Congress St, Ypsilanti
General Schedule:
noon-1p Tot Splash (T, Th, & weekends)
1-4:50p Open Swim (Kids 4′ and above do not need an adult)
5-6p Tot Splash (T, Th & weekends)
6-8p Family Swim (All kids need an adult)
see website for more details
Season: May 24-September 1
Modified hours while school is in session (see website)
Pricing: Adults: $5
Youth (1-4:450p): $4
Youth (6-8p): $3
Tot Splash: $2.50 (Age 4 & under, no older siblings)
Seniors (55+): $4
5 visit Punch Cards & Season Passes Available
Membership Only Outdoor Pools
In addition to the public pools, Ann Arbor has some outdoor pools available to members. These pools offer yearly memberships which often include more than the pool.
- Barton Hills Country Club
- Chippewa Club
- Forestbrooke
- Georgetown Country Club
- Huron Valley Swim Club
- Liberty Athletic Club
- Polo Fields Country Club
- Orchard Hills Athletic Club
- Racquet Club
- Travis Pointe Country Club
Other Places to Get Wet
Of course pools are just one of the ways to get wet around Ann Arbor. Our Places to Get Wet article combines all of the different ways to get wet.
Places to Get Wet Near Ann Arbor
One of my daughter’s favorite parts of summer is the water – whether it’s swimming, water slides, splash parks, or just getting wet. Check out these Ann Arbor area Pools, Water Parks, and Splash Pads. Fortunately, there are a number of Ann Arbor Swimming Pools and more for kids to get wet and cool off […]
Water Parks and Spray Grounds
There are also several water parks near Ann Arbor. Of the water parks, Rolling Hills Water Park in Ypsilanti Township offers the most swimming options. They have a shallow pool and a wave pool.
Check out our article on Water Parks.
Splash the Day Away at an Ann Arbor Water Park
Your water-loving, adventure seeking kids will have a blast at these Ann Arbor Water Parks. These parks feature large water slides, spray playgrounds, lazy rivers, wave pools, and so much more. Outdoor Water Parks Outdoor water parks operate seasonally – typically Memorial Day to Labor Day. These are a great way to spend a summer […]
Lakes, Rivers, and Creeks
In addition to swimming in a pool, there are several lakes and rivers in and near Ann Arbor that are great for summer swimming.
Check out the lake beaches within an hour of Ann Arbor
Lake Swimming Unleashed: The Best Ann Arbor Beaches
Are you looking for swimming lakes near Ann Arbor? Check out these beaches in Ann Arbor area! Our list of lakes near Ann Arbor Michigan are all within an hour. The list of Ann Arbor lakes includes a Great Lake and a variety of inland lakes. Swimming Lakes at Michigan State Parks Near Me Michigan […]
There are also many local parks that are good for splashing with creeks, rivers, and ponds.
Ann Arbor Parks for Splashing
While there are plenty of great pool options in and around Ann Arbor, warm temperatures can happen before they open for the summer or after they close. Fortunately, there are several parks and playgrounds that have creeks, rivers, or lakes that can be visited year round. This list includes only locations without a vehicle admission […]
