Prime Plunge - What’s Your Favorite Season at Barton Springs?

With a year-round temperature of ~70º, is there ever a wrong time to swim in Barton Springs? After putting together the pros and cons for each season, we want to know what you think!

Summer Soak-fest
Is there anything more Austin than a 100º+ day at Barton Springs? The banks are full of swimmers soaking up the sun, blankets of people reading books in the shade, less-clothed visitors practicing yoga at the top of the hill, the sounds of a djembe drum or two. All summer long, there’s a shrill in the air as people jump into the water and experience the cold shock.
 
Pros:

• Beat the heat with a cannonball straight into the chilly embrace of Barton Springs. Once you’re cooled off, you’ll be dry in no time once you get out. Dip, dry, repeat.
• Watch the diving event— whether the Barton Boys are there or not to judge the dives, the public diving board is a generational staple and hours of entertainment as patrons take the plunge every which way. Join in the fun by cheering on the youngest divers as they muster up the strength to launch from the diving board, by far the pool’s most wholesome tradition.​

Cons:

• Freezing! Depending on the day, Barton Springs can be up to 40º colder than the air! That’s a shock to any system and can make the plunge unenjoyable for some.
• Sunscream - With the blistering Texas sun comes copious amounts of sunscreen. People spray it, slather it, and under-time it. It’s in the air, it’s in your eyes, and it’s in a greasy film across the water that is also dangerous for the sensitive flora and fauna of the springs. 
• Busy busy busy - from parking to finding a place to layout, there will be people (and possibly geese) everywhere.
• Murkier waters - lots of people and less rainfall = sediment kicked up and algae blooms​

Fall Frolic
Ah fall, Austin’s other summer. Sometimes it’s hard to know if fall is even real, but there are some notable changes at Barton Springs that make it a contender for some patrons. 
 
Pros:

• The pool is free! Starting in November Barton Springs is free through the rest of fall and  the winter. That’s a tough price to beat.
• Equilibrium- In the fall the temperature usually starts to float between 90-70º, this makes the water temperature much closer to the air temperature and minimizes any cold shock. 
• RAIN! - if it’s an El Niño year, the rain sets in towards the end of fall, and swimming during a thunderless sprinkle - or downpour - is a special kind of magic.
• Less busy - people are back to school and vacations are over, leaving the pool to a lucky few. This “off season” is becoming more popular, so the true hermits show up at 5am to have a moment of solace and reflection. 

Cons:

• Sunset - the sun sets fast starting in November which can leave you high and…wet when you get out of the pool and are looking to dry off in the sun. Still, there are a healthy amount of sunny fall days to make the most of.
• Leaf litter - the majestic cottonwood and pecan trees start to undress for winter. 
• Equilibrium-again! Because the air and water temp are in sync, some swimmers say this tends to be the “chilliest” season to swim in because the air isn't cool enough to make the water feel warm.

Winter Waters
Some people like ice baths, and some people like Barton Springs. In the winter months, the Soul of Austin transforms into a steamy “hot spring” relative to the chilly temperatures. 

Pros:

• Is it warm in here? Again, with the water around 70º, the water is usually warmer than the air in the wintertime making a dip MUCH  more enjoyable than some might think. If you’ve never been, come out for the SOS sponsored Polar Bear Splash on New Year’s Day!
• Still free! Barton Springs does not charge admission in the winter - yay 🙂
• Waterfowl - Come for the water, stay for the birds. The waterbirds of central Texas flock to the springs in the winter. Bask in the splendor of Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and the expert diving Cormorant.
• Community - If winter is your season of choice, you will be rewarded with the familiar faces of fellow year-rounders. Swimming with others can be highly rewarding and boosts mental health, a particularly welcome effect during stressful holiday months. The prospect of seeing friends at the pool may be all that you need to get you down to the pool on brisk winter mornings.

Cons:

• Even though the water is now feeling warm, the air can still be uncomfortably cold, making drying off and heating back up a challenge. Bring a towel, a robe, and a dry change of clothes!
• Less foliage - The trees are bare and the grass is brown, Barton Springs looks the emptiest in the winter
• You might fall behind on your holiday to-do list because you are now transformed into a year-round swimmer.

Spring Springs
With birdsong filling the air and as we are antsy to break free from the winter chill, we eagerly await the sunny days. When it finally arrives, the allure of Barton Springs is irresistible.

Pros:

• Peak foliage! Springtime brings an abundance of wildflowers and budding trees serving as the prime setting for this natural oasis in the middle of the city.
• The days are getting longer, and the temperature is warming up but it’s not too hot, making for an all-around enjoyable time in and out of the water.
• Egyptian geese babies - during Covid a family of Egyptian geese moved in and every spring they raise their saplings among the crowds at Barton Springs. 

Cons:

• Admission - you’ll have to pay starting in March.
• As the temps rise, there’s an uptick in crowds and less parking, especially once bathouse construction is underway. 

The Bottom Line

No matter when you visit Barton Springs, you’re guaranteed an adventure. Getting to enjoy this serene natural treasure in the heart of Austin, Texas is a gift any time of the year.

We want to know, when is your favorite time to dip?
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SOS Alliance ​​