Barton Springs Pool — Attraction in Austin

This review is only for the staff at the springs

Writing this review so it’s fresh on my mind. We just got in the car after leaving Barton Springs. It’s a beautiful spot but our experience was mared by lifeguards trying to flex their power. It was warm enough to swim but the water was cold. It took my daughter a bit to get up enough courage to get all the way in. My husband playfully took her arm to entice her in as she pulled away laughing. We heard a lifeguard blow her whistle and yell “stop that, no horseplay”. We were all confused, including some strangers seated next to us. A guy not with us even said out loud you guys weren’t horse playing. The second incident we were simply sitting on the edge of the spring and unprovoked a female lifeguard walks up and snarkily and condescendingly goes do you guys know where the shallow end is? We recommend that area for people that aren’t strong swimmers. I interjected and said we all know how to swim thank you. She wasn’t kind at all and just had a really cold tone. We left about 15 min later and I had to say something to the front counter lady. When I explained why I wasn’t happy, a male lifeguard standing there spoke up and said he was the one who told her to come speak to us (I guess he isn’t man enough to come over and have a conversation). He said he observed my daughter on my husband’s back (100% false) and he said when she jumped off the diving board she appeared to need assistance. Both of my kids took private swim lessons and have known how to swim for years. We live in Florida. We are always in the water. Please learn the difference between the shock of cold water and someone needing to be rescued.

We used to live in the area many years ago and this is our first time back after 16 years. We’ve had a great trip so far up until Barton Springs. ...

Things to know before you go: •Buy your ticket online or before you enter the Springs via the stand alone kiosks outside the Springs or at the front gate. •Whether you’ve purchased a ticket or not you must wait in “the line” thats right, the massive line that everyone is in to enter the Springs. •No outside food or drink allowed. No coolers. •No free parking and the parking out front will always be full. Be prepared to walk 10-15 minutes to and from your car with whatever group you have. Most parking is uphill and not shaded. •No pass outs, that is you cannot leave and re-enter the Springs once you’ve already left the premises •This is not a regular spring but a natural spring, this means that this water is not cleaned or regulated but has moss, fish, dirt and other natural elements exisiting inside the water. If you want to go to a regular swimming pool this is not the place! •Yes the water is extremely cold so be prepared with either a water shirt or tough skin •There are rocks all along the bottom of the springs and huge boulders that come out of nowhere. These rocks are also extremely slippery and are a tripping hazard for anyone with poor sight or judgement. •There are toilets, outdoor showers and changing facilities although please note they are outside, outdated and have bugs, trash and dirt/webs throughout.

My husband and I all in all had an OK time at the Springs considering we knew none of the above information. If youre from out of town and don’t know much about the Springs consider my review and make your judgements yourself. On a very hot 100oF+ day this was not fun. But if you’re prepared, with the right group and have better weather conditions it could be...

I visited Barton Springs and my experience was not as I expected to be at a swimming hole. First of all no food, but that’s ok. Then you can’t have pool noodles in the middle section of the pool, but you can have paddle boards and all sizes of floats. This is where I think it got personal, this female life guard who was standing on the side when we checked in at the ticket booth after the girl in the booth asked if we had any food in our bag had validated that, she felt like she needed to ask again. Then when I was sitting on my towel listening to my music the same female pops up tells me that speakers aren’t allowed. The speaker I had was a small personal speaker smaller than my hand. Mind you the website says nothing about speakers of any kind. I think the witch needed to make herself relevant. Then there was you couldn’t have balls in the pool even though I saw them in there and no one told certain people to take them out. Black people just be prepared they are going yo be watching you a little closer. In my opinion Barton Springs should be the library, tranquil pool great for reading and resting, The Meditation Park, not much fun because there too many rules with a lot of gray areas. Note to Barton Springs: update your website to clearly state what you cannot bring that would help in deciding if you really want to visit Barton Springs. Based on my experience I visited there and I will never go there again too many can’ts. But for all y’all that are interested women can go topless in this supposedly family friendly park with kids all over the place but heaven forbid you bring...