It is officially summer in the city! We know the temperature has been rising, so let’s explore some of the best pools in the area for you and the kids to cool off. There’s no better time to take advantage of the abundance of swimming pools and aquatic centers in Portland. Swimming isn’t just a fun way to beat the heat; it’s also an excellent form of exercise with a wealth of physical and mental health benefits. Plus, it is a fun way to make some new friends!
Portland Parks and Recreation and Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD) are the biggest organizations in the pool game.
Portland Parks & Recreation owns and operates four indoor pools and seven outdoor pools. All indoor and Creston, Grant, Ida B. Wells, Peninsula, Pier, and Sellwood outdoor pools are now open for the season. The Montavilla outdoor pool will open on July 22, 2024. For information about swimming rules and admission costs, check here.
Some of our favorite Portland pools are the following:
Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool
(Formerly Wilson Pool)
1151 SW Vermont Street
Portland, OR 97219
This outdoor pool has a lazy river, pool slide, diving board, and a leisure pool with zero depth entry.
9457 N Bristol Ave
Portland, OR 97203
Pier Park has an outdoor pool with lap lanes, a wading area, and a diving board.
7951 SE 7th Ave Portland, OR 97202
Sellwood Pool is an outdoor pool with lap lanes and a diving area.
To get the low down on Portland Pools, check out their Facebook page here.
Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD) has several pools. For admission information, check out the details here.
One of the pools in the system that you do not want to miss is the Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center.
Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center
9985 SW 125th Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97008
This is a series of indoor pools. There is a slide pool and a main pool. And right outside the center is a great splash pad.
An honorable mention on our list is the North Clackamas Aquatic Park.
7300 SE Harmony Road
Milwaukie, OR 97222
This indoor aquatic park is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Big Surf! recreation swims consist of an hour-and-a-half swim session, including the wave pool, waterslides, and kiddie pool. Online pre-registration is recommended. Rain or shine, the water is always a comfortable 86 degrees year-round!
Whether you’re looking to get fit, relax your mind, or build community connections, making swimming a part of your summer routine is a winning strategy. With a wealth of excellent public pools and aquatic facilities around Portland, there has never been a better time to dive into the joys and benefits of swimming.
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.
