Barking Springs vs Barton Springs Pool
| Barking Springs (free side) | The pool (paid side) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $2–$9 daily, seasonal |
| Hours | Never closes | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Lifeguards | None | From 8 AM |
| Dogs | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Coolers & speakers | Standard practice | Banned |
| Water | Creek flow below the dam | Cleaner spring pool, room to swim |
What the free side actually is
It’s not a separate spring — it’s Barton Creek immediately downstream of the dam that forms the pool. No gate, no fee, no hours, no lifeguards. The name comes from the dogs, which are welcome there and banned inside the pool.
Who the free side suits
Anyone whose swim day includes a cooler, a speaker, or a dog — which is to say, everyone the pool rules turn away. Also anyone here at midnight, since it never closes, and anyone who flatly refuses to pay $9. You give up lifeguards and the cleaner water above the dam; you keep your money.
Who should pay
Swimmers. The paid side is roughly 1,000 ft long with an eighth-mile marker, a diving board and depths to 18 ft (how deep it gets) — you can actually train in it, which I do most mornings. Families tend to prefer the guarded side; lifeguard hours are in is it safe. At $2–$9 — free in winter — the gate fee is the cheapest part of the day (full price breakdown).
The Thursday 9 AM–7 PM cleaning closure only applies to the pool. When the gates are shut, Barking Springs is still running.
Whichever side you pick, book the dusk
The sunset bat kayak tour leaves from Lady Bird Lake and ends under the Congress Avenue Bridge as 1.5 million bats fly — around $50, two hours, free cancellation to 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barking Springs really free?
Yes — no gate, no fee, no hours, every day of the year. The paid pool above the dam runs $2–$9 and is itself free from November through spring break; see what it costs.
Are dogs allowed at Barton Springs?
On the free side below the dam, yes. Inside the pool, no — pets are on the banned list along with coolers, food, glass and speakers. The full list is in pool rules.
Is the free side safe to swim?
It’s unguarded, full stop — you swim on your own judgment. The paid side has lifeguards from 8 AM. How the city manages water quality on both is covered in is it safe.
Does the free side close on Thursdays?
No. The Thursday 9 AM–7 PM cleaning closure is a pool thing; Barking Springs never closes. The pool’s full schedule is in best time to visit.