This guide is updated for Summer 2026 and refreshed regularly.
Summer in Wisconsin is so short. So we love to squeeze as many pool days in as possible.
Looking for the best public pools in Waukesha County and Lake Country? This 2026 guide makes it easy to find family-friendly pools near you, including outdoor pools, aquatic centers, and water parks perfect for cooling off on hot Wisconsin summer days.
From zero-depth entry pools for little kids to waterslides and full-day aquatic centers, these are the top places to swim near you this summer.
P.S. If beaches are more your thing, check out our Lake Country Beaches Guide!
Please thank our Cool off at the Pool Guide Sponsor:
JULY 15-19, 2026
Outdoor Pools
🏊 Pools Near You (Quick Picks)
- 💦 Best all-around aquatic center: Watertown Aquatic Center
- 🛝 Best for younger kids: Buchner Pool (zero-depth + spray features)
- 🌊 Best waterpark-style experience: River Bend
- 🏖️ Best combo pool + playground: Horeb Springs Pool
Buchner Pool – Waukesha
223 Oakland Avenue, Waukesha (262) 524-3726
Pool Season Dates: June 6, 2026 – August 23, 2026
NEW IN 2026!
Enhance your pool visit this summer with our new cabana rentals!
Enjoy a shaded, comfortable space for groups of up to six people. Cabanas provide a relaxing spot to unwind between swims. Enjoy a little extra comfort during your day at the pool. Reserve online in advance or rent one the day of at the pool, if available. Cabanas are limited so consider booking early!
Open Swim Hours:
Monday – Friday: 12:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
All amenities open
Swim Lesson Times:
Monday – Friday: 9:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fitness Channel Times *Members Only* (16+):
Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Open Lap Swim & Current Channel Times *Members Only* (16+):
Monday – Friday: 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Sunday: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Buchner Pool Features
Open Swim Area (50 Meters):
Enjoy lap swimming, volleyball, basketball, fitness bikes & aqua jog belts use (first come, first serve basis), 1-meter diving board, lounge in the water under shade structures or just enjoy the open water.
Children’s Pool:
Family fun includes zero-depth entry, a spray feature & a small slide.
Channel:
Gently ride along on a single or double inner tube during open channel time (on a first-come, first-served basis) or workout against the current during open adult fitness times (16+).
Plunge Pool & Slides:
These are available with the Ultimate Pass or daily slide fee. Must be at least 48″ tall.
Horeb Springs Pool-Waukesha
330 Spring St. 262-524-3727
Pool Season Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 6 – 7, 2026 – Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Open Swim Hours:
Monday – Friday: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. & 6:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (6/16 to 7/26)
Monday – Friday: 12:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (7/27 to 8/19)
Saturday: 12:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
All amenities open
Swim Lesson Times:
Monday – Friday: 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:55 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Learn more about swim lessons at: https://www.waukesha-wi.gov/government/departments/swim-lessons.php
Family Swim Times:
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – Noon
All amenities open and small toys and inflatables permitted
Zero-Depth Entry Only
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Horeb Springs Pool Features
Open Swim Area:
1-meter & 3-meter diving boards, lounge in the water under shade structures or just enjoy the open water.
Children’s Pool
Family fun includes zero-depth entry, a spray feature & a small slide.
Plunge Pool & Slides:
Two (2) 350′ slides available with the Ultimate Pass or Slide Fee. Must be at least 48″ tall.
Wiberg Aquatic Center at Wirth Park Brookfield
Wirth Park, 2585 North Pilgrim Rd, Brookfield (262) 787-3901
Opens for the season on June , 2026.
The season ends on August 23, 2026.
*July 4: Open 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Monday through FridayJune 6-August 23 Monday through FridayJune 6 – August 23 Monday, Wednesday, Friday Evening6:00 – 8:00 pm (Full facility) Saturday, July 4th1:00-5:00 PM (Full facility) Tuesday & Thursday EveningCLOSED Sundays11:00am-6:00pm (Full facility) | |
Facility Features
| |
Swim Lesson Program | |
Elm Grove Swimming Pool
Village Park, 13600 Juneau Blvd
262-782-6940
The pool will OPEN on June 12, 2026 and closes for the season on August 16.
*Please note that the closing date is a bit earlier than usual this year due to the replacement of the pool liner.
Please tap the link above for admission costs, hours and rules.
Open Swim Hours for Pool (Includes Splash Pad)
- Monday-Friday: 11:00am-4:00pm
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:30pm-8:30pm
- Saturday: 11:00am-6:00pm
- Sunday: 1:00pm-8:00pm
Lap Swim Hours
- Tuesday, Thursday: 7:30am-8:45am
Daily Individual Admission (Includes Splash Pad)
- Resident $7.00
- Resident (65+) $5.00
- Non-Resident $14.00
- Non-Resident (65+) $10.00
- Children 2 and Under: FREE
Daily Individual Splash Pad Admission – Specifically During Splash Pad Only Hours
- Resident $4.00
- Non-Resident $8.00
- Splash Pad ONLY hours: Monday-Friday, 9-11am.
Seasonal Pool Pass Memberships
Non-refundable season memberships for use during open swim hours may be purchased online. Please list only immediate family members on your registration form (nannies/babysitters are excluded). Each individual on the pass is required to present ID to the desk attendant to obtain admission to the pool.
Seasonal Pool Pass Membership Prices
- Resident – Individual $70.00
- Resident – Individual (65+) $60.00
- Resident – Family $260.00
- Non-Resident – Individual $140.00
- Non-Resident – Individual (65+) $120.00
- Non-Resident – Family $520.00
- Nanny/Babysitter $45.00
Pool Rules
- All patrons will show respect toward staff and other patrons.
- All patrons will treat the facility, its equipment and furnishings in the appropriate manner.
- For safety reasons, interactions with the lifeguards and pool staff shall be limited to pool related matters.
- Foul, abusive or inappropriate language is not permitted.
- Spitting or spouting water from mouth is not permitted.
- Pool Managers, Supervisors, and Lifeguards have authority at all times.
- No food, drink, glass or electronic equipment is allowed on the pool deck. Water in shatterproof bottles is permissible.
- The Village of Elm Grove is not responsible for an lost, stolen or damaged articles.
- Lockers are provided; guests must provide their own lock.
- Swimsuits are required. Shirts are permitted, when clean, for sun protection purposes. NO ATHLETIC SHORTS. Suits must have a liner and be made for swimming.
- Soap showers are encouraged before swimming and after use of toilet facilities.
- Individuals with skin diseases, open cuts, bandages, or communicable diseases are not permitted.
- Hair longer than shoulder length must be secured in a ponytail or braid.
- No running, rough play, dunking, shoving, pushing, riding on shoulders, splashing or spitting water.
- No dives, flips, or splash dives off the side of the pool.
- No balls, fins, snorkels, tubes or water toys of any kind are permissible during general public swim times.
- No hanging or sitting on the lane lines or swimming underneath them.
- Smoking is not permitted in the pool area.
- Children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper (available at reception desk for purchase).
- Diaper changing on pool deck is prohibited.
- Animals are not allowed on the pool deck unless a certified guide animal.
- Cell phone usage in locker rooms is prohibited.
Pool Closing
The pool may close temporarily for:
- Air temperature less than 65 degrees F
- Moderate to heavy rain
- Danger of severe storms
- Low attendance
- Biohazard incident
- Mechanical problems
- No refunds unless the pool closure is due to mechanical problem
Watertown Aquatic Center
Riverside Park, 1009 Perry Street, Watertown, WI 53094 (920) 262-8085
Season:
June 13- August 16, 2026.
Open Swim: Daily 12-6pm
This heated municipal pool offers a fun-filled day refreshing activities for the whole family. The original 1942 location held a 75’ by 165’ pool that was remodeled in the early 1990’s to add many of the amenities present today. Additionally, Swimmers can take advantage of:
- A large zero-depth area with water feature play area
- Three options for water slides
- Take a wild ride down our 216′ flume waterslide,
- Take a plunge on our 24′ drop slide in the 12′ area of the pool
- or shallow end slides for the younger members of the family
- A one-meter diving board.
- Original bathhouse remodeled into the current concession stand and adjacent dining areas
- 1993 Bathhouse large enough to hold gender-specific showers
- Sand playground area inside the facility
- Large deck with sun arbors and grass areas
Aquatic Center Closing Policies
The pool will close during the summer season under the following conditions:
- If the air temperature is less than 70° at opening.
- If attendance is low (less than 50 participants) in the complex one hour after opening.
- If weather conditions permit lifeguards from seeing the bottom of the pool.
- If there has been severe weather (rain, thunder or lightning) for a period of one hour and the storm is projected to continue.
- Mechanical issues such as but not limited to break down or fecal contamination.
- The Watertown Aquatic Center cannot meet the state codes for safety, maintenance and operation of pools and water attractions or by Public Health Emergency Ordinance.
River Bend RV Resort in Watertown
W6940 Rubidell Road, Watertown, WI 53094 920-261-7505
This is a campground, but the water park is available with a wristband daily.
Pool opens Memorial Day weekend.
- Monday – Thursday amenity passes (No passes sold Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays) (No passes sold Mondays or Thursdays of holiday weekends)
- 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
- $20 per person (children 3 & under are FREE)
- All amenities including:
- Pool
- Swimming and fishing ponds with Wibit inflatables
- Mini Golf course (with a deposit on the balls and clubs)
- RC Track (you can use just the RC track for $5)
- Jumping Pillow
- Volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis/pickleball courts, baseball diamond
- Activity Center and playgrounds
- 8,000 Square Foot Water Park
- Two 300 foot waterslides
- kiddie pool with slide
- Outdoor whirlpool
- 350 person capacity heated pool
- There is also a pond with Wibets and a sandy beach included with the daily wristband purchase.
- See our article on River Bend HERE with 4 Things We Love to Do Most!
See our fun on Instagram!
Fort Atkinson Aquatic Center
Rock River Park – 1200 Lillian St., Fort Atkinson, WI
920-563-7799
The pool will open June 7, 2026, and closes August 17.
Tap the link above for their hours and admission prices.
Sunset Park Pool in Elkhorn
320 Devendorf St, Elkhorn, WI
Opens for the summer on June 1, 2026!
The heated Sunset Pool includes slides, basketball hoops, zero entry, geysers, handicapped accessibility, concessions, shade umbrellas and more! An exterior concession stand is available for all park users. Pool season passes make great gifts!
DAY PASS: $6.00
(Ages 2 & under are free.)
MEMBERSHIP:
Available for purchase NOW!
$25 fee to make changes to a membership after purchase.
Please Note: Memberships are NOT mailed.
Veteran’s Memorial Pool in Hartford
777 S. Main Street, Hartford, WI
Opens May 30 for the 2026 summer season!
Swim hours and fees HERE.
We love this recently remodeled pool!
Tosa Pool at Hoyt Park
1800 N Swan Blvd, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
414-302-9160
Opens Saturday, May 23, 2026!
Please see what’s new at the TOSA Pool!
The TOSA Pool at Hoyt Park is an award-winning outdoor community pool that provides summertime fun for all ages. With affordable memberships for families and individuals and daily admission options, the pool welcomes visitors from across Southeast Wisconsin.
Cool Waters Park in West Allis
2028 S. 124th St., West Allis, WI 53227
Enjoy a fun-filled day at Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park in Milwaukee County’s own Greenfield Park. The zero-depth, heated pool has giant tube and body waterslides, children’s waterslides, interactive water toys, sand volleyball courts, a children’s playground, Cool’s Cafe, and more. Take the family and spend the entire day at Cool Waters, the place to be this summer!
Check their website link above for the opening date, hours, and admission fees.
*Open through Labor Day 2026.
David F. Schulz Aquatic Center in Lincoln Park Milwaukee
1301 W. Hampton Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53209
Speed down the tube and body waterslides, then float along the Lazy River. The water is heated, so come on in! Your littlest swimmers will enjoy the interactive water toys including spray jets, spray posts, water troughs, The Bucket Dump and more.
Test your diving skills in the deep well, do some lap swimming, or play water basketball in the “leisure pool.” When you need some rest, relax in a lounge chair on the pool deck and enjoy food and beverages from the concessions stand.
Click their website link above for 2026 Summer Opening date!
*Open through Labor Day 2026.
Tell us your favorite pool in the comments below!!
❓ Public Pool FAQs
What are the best public pools in Waukesha County?
Popular options include Buchner Pool, Horeb Springs Pool, and the Wiberg Aquatic Center, all offering family-friendly features like slides and zero-depth entry areas.
Are there outdoor pools near me in Lake Country?
Yes! Many communities including Waukesha, Hartland, and Watertown offer outdoor public pools open during the summer months.
When do public pools open in Wisconsin?
Most outdoor pools open in early June and stay open through mid-to-late August, depending on weather and staffing. Schedules are usually planned around college student worker schedules.
Are there pools with slides for kids near Waukesha County?
Yes, several aquatic centers like Watertown and Horeb Springs Pool feature water slides and kid-friendly play areas.




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