Ballard Pool

About

Pool featuring a water slide and a rope swing, which offers lessons and family programs.

The main pool at Ballard Pool is typically maintained at a comfortable temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius).

What are people saying (AI review summary)? The Ballard Pool receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, consistently highlighted for its welcoming atmosphere, strong community, and excellent staff. Reviewers praise the professional, courteous, and friendly staff, noting the extensive training for lifeguards and instructors, who provide attentive, individualized instruction for swim lessons, focusing on safety and skill improvement. Swim lessons are highly popular and available for all ages, though demand is high, requiring quick registration as classes fill rapidly and waitlists can be long. Facilities, including locker rooms and the pool area, are kept clean, with two all-gender changing rooms available, though some showers in locker rooms need repair and changing areas can experience wait times during peak hours. The pool is heated to around 84°F, with a hot tub around 92°F, and includes a slide. While the building is old, the pool and locker rooms are well-maintained. Its location is convenient, but parking can be tight. Overall, it is highly recommended as an excellent and affordable option for swimming in the Seattle area.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Good for Children
• Accepts Credit Cards
• Accessible Entrance

Reviews

Listing Reviews

May 23rd, 2025

Tommy Miller

Affordable swimming classes in great Seattle area! Friendly customer service! Recommended!

August 3rd, 2025

De Ops

I've enjoyed the Ballard Pool since childhood, learning to swim and participating in Cascade Swim Club there. When I was in middle school to high school, I took over a year of volunteering and got to "shadow" (watch and help teach) lessons. It was amazing to learn the different methods that all Lifeguards were using to better ensure the kids improve in their swimming skills. The welcoming atmosphere has consistently made it an amazing experience and now I'm one of the Lifeguard's there, here to give an honest review! I've really enjoyed the Ballard Pool and the amazing community it brings, you will too! Locker Rooms: The locker rooms are kept clean, checked nightly, and provide a welcoming, private environment where lifeguards ensure the well-being of program participants. Some of the shower's don't work and that is something they will fix soon. Swim Lessons: Swim lessons, are available for all ages. Due to high demand, registration fills up quickly so you have to be fast. Instructors: Instructors receive daily training to enhance their teaching methods and provide attentive instruction during swim lessons and personal training sessions. They focus on individual student needs, offering tailored advice to improve swimming skills. Safety skills are consistently reinforced, with emphasis on back floating as a readily available option when tired. Staff Behavior, Professionalism & Training: The staff is professional, courteous, and provides excellent customer service. Lifeguards receive extensive training in various scenarios due to the critical nature of their role in ensuring safety. Pool & Hot Tub: The pool's temperature, around 84 degrees, may feel cold initially. The hot tub is approximately 92 degrees, but temperatures may fluctuate :) It definitely is the best part of Swim Lessons, at the end.

June 3rd, 2025

Matt Perrone

The Ballard Pool is a community pool connected to the Ballard High School. Right off 15th, it's easy to get to but the parking lot spaces are very tight so be careful. Inside, they have a few changing rooms and locker rooms which you can access before even going into the pool area. The pool itself is heated a little bit with a slide on one end. They have lots of classes you can sign up for but they go FAST online, so you need to book within minutes of them going live. The staff here are amazing, always super friendly and great with kids.

August 24th, 2025

Lin Yuan

Love the seattle public pool system and ballard is no exception. I took two lessons here and the instructors were great and there was plenty of room.

August 5th, 2022

Angelee J

The building is old, but the pool and locker rooms are clean. There are two all gender changing rooms. Quite a bit time of wait time if there’s a class for using changing areas. Many swim instructors are relatively young, and there’s a person who walks around giving instructions in the kid’s swim classes. Long wait list for swim classes.