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The City of Raleigh has eight pools and aquatic centers throughout the City where you can enjoy splashing around, exercising, learning to swim, or relaxing poolside.
Do You Have What it Takes to be a City of Raleigh Lifeguard?
Pools and Hours
People swimming, splashing and playing at Millbrook Exchange Pool.
You can enjoy our pools and aquatics year round at one of our indoor facilities or during the summer at one of our outdoor pools.
How to Find a Pool
- View All: See all eight pools and aquatics centers with photos and addresses at a glance.
- Search by your address: Use our interactive park locator tool to find pool nearest you when you enter "swimming" under amenities.
- By type: Year round pool vs. summer pools are listed in table.
Year Round Pools
| Pool Name | Address | Hours | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center | 5908 Buffaloe Rd (27616) Get Directions |
Hours of Operation Phone: 919-996-5600 |
Facility Description |
| Millbrook Exchange Pool | 1905 Spring Forest Rd (27615) Get Directions |
Hours of Operation Phone: 919-996-4130 |
Facility Description |
| Optimist Pool | 5902 Whittier Dr (27609) Get Directions |
Hours of Operation Phone: 919-996-2790 |
Facility Description |
| Pullen Aquatic Center | 410 Ashe Ave (27606) Get Directions |
Hours of Operation Phone: 919-996-6197 |
Facility Description |
Summer Pools
| Pool | Address | Hours | More Information |
| Biltmore Pool | 701 Crown Crossing Ln (27610) Get directions |
Hours of Operation Phone: 919-831-6736 |
Facility Description |
| Lake Johnson Pool | 5863 Jaguar Park Dr. (27606) Get Directions |
Hours of Operation 919-233-2111 |
Facility Description |
| Longview Pool | 321 Bertie Dr (27610) Get Directions |
Hours of Operation Phone: 919-831-6343 |
Facility Description |
| Ridge Road Pool | 1709 Ridge Rd (27607) Get Directions |
Hours of Operation Phone: 919-420-2322 |
Facility Description |
Admission Fees and Passes
Residents and non-residents must pay an admission fee to visit a City of Raleigh pool or aquatics center.
Where to pay for daily admission: Pay daily admission fees and Punch Passes (15 admissions) at the front desk of one of our pools / aquatic centers.
Where to buy multi-day Passes: Buy monthly and annual passes at any of the year-round pools (Optimist, Millbrook, Pullen, and Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center).
Payment methods: Credit cards, cash, or checks.
Daily Admission Fees
| Pool(s) | Ages 1-12 | Ages 13-54 | Ages 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pullen, Optimist, Millbrook & Seasonal Pools | $2 / resident $3 / non-resident |
$5 / resident $8 / non-resident |
$4 / resident $6 / non-resident |
| Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center | $4 / resident $7 / non-resident |
$8 / resident $15 / non-resident |
$6 / resident |
Multi-Day and Annual Passes
| Type of Pass | Ages 1-12 | Ages 13-54 | Ages 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-Admission Punch Pass (Expires 2 years from the date of purchase. Good for 15 entries.) |
$24 / resident |
$60 / resident |
$48 / resident $72 / non-resident |
| Monthly Pass (valid one month to date) - valid at all facilities) |
$18 / resident $27 / non-resident |
$45 / resident |
$36 / resident $54 / non-resident |
| Annual Pass (valid one year to date) - valid at all facilities |
$120 / resident $180 / non-resident |
$300 / resident $480 / non-resident |
$240 / resident $360 / non-resident |
Note: Children 12 years or younger must be accompanied by a paying adult age 16 or older. Monthly and annual passes are purchased at any of the year-round pools - Optimist, Millbrook, Pullen, and Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center.
Swim Lessons
Raleigh Aquatics is committed to providing quality Learn to Swim programs. Sessions will be scheduled pending instructor availability to ensure a safe, enjoyable swim lesson experience. Any additional sessions will open for registration on Mondays at 9 a.m. Please visit RecLink to view available sessions and to register.
You can learn to swim with group classes or request a private lesson. You'll find information about how to sign up in the table below.
| Class Type | Description | How to Sign Up |
|---|---|---|
| Group Class | Raleigh Aquatics offers beginner to advanced American Red Cross swimming lessons for adults (14 years and older) and youths starting at 6 months. | You can find and register for upcoming swim classes online by using Reclink. |
| Private Lessons | Private swim lessons and stroke development are offered at Buffaloe Road, Millbrook, Optimist, and Pullen Aquatic Center. Private lessons are offered at times when group lessons are not being conducted and based on instructor availability. |
To request private lessons:
|
Non-City Lessons
The City of Raleigh does not allow individuals or groups to conduct private instruction at any City-owned swimming facilities.
Exercise and Lap Swim
At our Raleigh pools and aquatics centers you can sign up for a water exercise class or do laps during scheduled swim lane hours.
Water Exercise Classes
We offer classes to help you build strength and cardiovascular endurance like pool Pilates, hydrofusion, and water walking. You can purchase either a single-class or a multi-class pass.
Learn More about the Raleigh Aquatics Water Exercise Program.
Lap Swimming
Lap lanes are available on a first-come, first-service basis at our City pools. Swim lane hours vary by location.
Call each site for more information.
| Site | Call for Lap Lane Availability |
|---|---|
| Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center | 919-996-5600 |
| Millbrook Exchange Pool | 919-996-4130 |
| Optimist Pool | 919-996-2790 |
| Pullen Aquatic Center | 919-996-6197 |
Make sure to follow Lap Swimming Rules and Etiquette
Registration
Raleigh residents and non-residents are welcome to register for a group swim lesson or other aquatics programs. Fees vary by program. Make sure to browse RecLink to view the catalog.
You can register: online via RecLink, walk in to any of our pools or aquatics centers or mail it in to Raleigh Aquatics, 2401 Wade Ave., Raleigh NC 27607.
Note: Registration for Water Exercise Classes is not available online.
- Waitlist Policy: Many of our programs fill up quickly. After making course selections, we encourage you to submit your registration. Once a course is full, we begin a waiting list and process registrations as space becomes available. If you are placed on a waiting list for a course, you will receive notification from staff prior to the start of the course as to the status of your request. No payment is taken for placement on a waiting list.
Inclusion Support
The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department welcomes the participation of all individuals, including those with disabilities or special needs. We are committed to compliance with the ADA and will provide reasonable accommodations to facilitate participation in our programs. Learn more information on Inclusion support.
Intra-City Swim Team
The program's goal is to provide an opportunity to experience competitive swimming in a fun, enjoyable, and relaxed environment. Prerequisite - participants must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted. Find out more about the age requirements, costs, and schedules on our Intra-City Swim Team page.
Lifeguards
Do You Have What it Takes to be a City of Raleigh Lifeguard?
We are currently seeking lifeguards to staff our pools and aquatic facilities. Lifeguards are currently being hired at $13 per hour, and the City of Raleigh will provide Lifeguard Training for candidates that do not hold a Lifeguarding Certification.
For more information, see the Lifeguards page.