About
Mountainside Pool, located at 205 Upper Mountain Ave in Upper Montclair, NJ, is a popular outdoor municipal pool complex. It features a large main pool for swimming, a dedicated diving tank, and a shallow kiddie pool, making it a family-friendly destination for summer recreation. Known for its scenic setting and community-oriented atmosphere, it serves as a central hub for residents during the warm months.
Specific pool temperatures for Mountainside Pool are not readily available as it is an outdoor municipal facility. Outdoor public pools of this nature are typically unheated, or minimally heated, and their temperatures fluctuate naturally with ambient weather conditions and sun exposure.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? Reviews for the Mountainside pool are mixed, highlighting both positive and negative aspects. Many residents appreciate it as a clean, safe, and family-friendly neighborhood spot, particularly enjoyable in the mornings when it's less crowded. It offers amenities like a shallow kids' pool and a lap lane, and is generally considered worth the annual resident fee. However, significant concerns are raised about weekends, when the pool can become extremely packed, chaotic, loud, and stressful, with issues like cloudy water and perceived poor maintenance. Several reviewers also question the training and engagement of the teenage lifeguards. Access is a major point of contention for non-residents or those seeking a one-day visit, as the pool is primarily for Montclair residents and requires an annual pass or per-visit fee, leading to frustration for those unable to gain entry without a membership. Policies prohibit outside food, drinks (other than water), and toys inside the pool area, though vending and picnic tables are available outside. Other minor downsides include limited shade, challenging street parking, and wishes for longer operating hours.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Good for Children
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
August 16th, 2025Andrea Walther-Puri
We live nearby and love Mountainside pool. The best time to go is in the morning it's really empty and you're guaranteed chaise lounges and an umbrella. Only downside is that there is a no food no toys policy.
July 21st, 2025Jacob Nolan
The water is often cloudy, the maintenance feels way behind, and the place gets packed to the point of chaos on weekends. It’s loud, unorganized, and just stressful to be there. Most of the lifeguards are teenagers who clearly haven’t had much real training, and it shows. Some don’t even seem certified properly, and it’s honestly kind of concerning. The staff in general come off as disengaged, like they’re just counting the minutes until their shift ends.
July 3rd, 2022Jeroen Lamers
Clean, safe with 3 lifeguards on duty, and never too busy. Definitely worth the fee Montclair charges residents ($225 for family).
September 12th, 2023Tres Williams
Our go-to town pool. Wish it were open longer! Open Memorial Day to Labor Day for Montclair residents only. You can buy an annual pass (around $300 per family) or go a la carte for $10 per visit. No food or drink allowed other than water. Vending machines and picnic tables are available immediately outside the gate. There is a shallow kids pool at one end, and a dedicated lap lane. There is a shelter at one end and some shade along the woods but otherwise no cover. Bring sunscreen and best to have folding chairs in the car during peak times on weekends, just in case. Street parking can sometimes be challenging so be prepared to walk. Kids see their friends there most of the time. Neighborhood hangout during the summer!
February 12th, 2024Molly Rigor
Me and my friend were trying to find a pool to cool off for a few hours. We went to Rahway and they were crowded, so we looked through other options and tried calling but heard nothing. One place we did call they needed membership. I would rate the places that require a season pass membership or just a membership in general a one star as well if I could just to get inside. But this is one of the places where I had to waste money on uber for, it was a waste of time when we found out we needed a pass to even get in. The manager had to send a family home because they didn’t have their season pass. Me and my friend only wanted to go for at least that one day and we didn’t have a lot of times at least 2 hours max. I don’t know why there needs to be a membership for these certain type of common pool places just for ONE DAY. It’s a HOT SUMMER we were willing to pay for at least ONE DAY into the pool. I am not about to pay 85$ just to go for one day and spend a few hours that day and never go again. Forget that those pools that require membership y’all are just ridiculous.
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 12:00 – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 12:00 – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 12:00 – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 12:00 – 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
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