About
Large public pool with swimming lanes and diving boards, plus a kiddie pool.
As an outdoor facility, Banneker Pool's water temperature is primarily dependent on ambient air temperature and sun exposure, as the DC Department of Parks and Recreation typically does not heat its outdoor pools. Therefore, temperatures fluctuate naturally throughout the swimming season.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? Banneker Pool is a popular, large, and spacious outdoor pool in D.C., open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, offering free entry with a D.C. I.D. It features lanes, sections for children, and ample lounge chairs, which have reportedly increased in number. Many visitors praise its positive "vibe," attentive lifeguards, and the availability of amenities like life jackets, cold water, and ice cream. While generally considered fairly clean for a popular, older facility, some specific concerns include the need for better bathroom cleanliness, drier floors (especially in the lobby and bathrooms, where wet tiles are a safety hazard), and issues with security pat-downs at the entrance. A recurring complaint highlights instances of disruptive "power-tripping" lifeguards who frequently interrupt music with microphone announcements.
Location
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Amenities
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
September 1st, 2025Austin Graff
To see all parts of D.C., visit the Banneker Pool, one of the city’s most popular outdoor pools. A large pool with lanes and sections for children, people from across the city visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It’s free with a D.C. I.D. There are plenty of chairs for lounging and there are lifeguards on duty whenever they are open. For being popular and older, it’s fairly clean.
June 26th, 2025Christina Archie
It’s been years since I’ve been to a DC pool, but Banneker was definitely a vibe. They had plenty of life jackets, the lifeguards were super attentive, and life guard Marcus in particular made the visit feel really welcoming. On top of that, they had cold water and ice cream to help beat the heat. We’ll definitely be back!
July 26th, 2025Hannah Maka
All it takes is one power tripping lifeguard with a microphone to ruin a pool day. The facilities are clean, there are plenty of chairs, but they need to get rid of the cops doing a pat down at the front door and not let that head lifeguard have access to the mic because he interrupts the music every 10-30 seconds.
July 4th, 2025M.G. Garcia
I have a great time each time I come. I have been coming here since last year. I just wish they made more of an effort to keep the bathrooms clean and maybe the floors a bit more dry during the swimming seasons. Maybe putting some of those industrial fans that blow across the floor that they sell in Home Depot or Loews would help cause the wet floor tiles in the bathrooms and lobby of the basement is so dangerous and nasty to be honest.
February 9th, 2024Kathryn
I love Banneker Pool! Spacious, beautiful pool. I only made it to two different pools this year. DC seems to have doubled the number of lounge chairs at both pools. So much better!
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
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