Outdoor Pools in Alberta

Alberta's outdoor pool season is short and everyone knows it. Roughly ten weeks, mid-June to Labour Day, with a handful opening as early as the May long weekend.

They're also cheap. Most cost under $10, Calgary's eight pools are a flat $6, Forest Lawn is $2, and kids under two swim free almost everywhere.

One rule: check before you drive. Outdoor pools close for cold, smoke and thunderstorms, and the small-town ones keep odd hours. Here's where to swim across the province, what it costs, and what else is worth stopping for.

Edmonton's five City-run outdoor pools:

  • Wîhkwêntôwin (formerly Oliver) — 10315 119 St. Deep-water waterslide, downtown. Opened May 20.

  • Mill Creek — 9555 84 Ave. Waterslide, in the ravine. Opened May 23.

  • Fred Broadstock — 15720 105 Ave. Diving boards, teach pool. Opened June 6.

  • Queen Elizabeth — 9170 Walterdale Hill. Zero-depth entry, spray park attached. Opened June 10.

  • Borden Natural Swimming Pool — 7615 Borden Park Rd NW. Chemical-free, sand beach. Opened June 20.

Admission for 2026: all five are the same price: $9.75 adult, $8.25 youth/senior, $6.50 child, free under 2, $26.50 household. Get the Youth Summer Pass to save.

Abbey Centre Outdoor Aquatic Centre

Two three-storey waterslides and a 26-person hot tub, 15 minutes off the QEII.

  • Address: 4500 Womacks Road, Blackfalds

  • Pool features: zero-depth entry pool with beach features, spray park with tot slides and giant tipping buckets, Jr. Olympic pool with diving board and 10-foot climbing wall, 26-person hot tub, two three-storey waterslides

  • What to see nearby: Blackfalds All Star Park, with Lacombe and Red Deer both 15 minutes away

Cardston Swimming Pool

A lazy river and two slides, 45 minutes from Waterton's front gate.

  • Address: 64 4 Avenue W, Cardston

  • Pool features: six-lane pool, two waterslides, diving board, lazy river, wading pool, toddler pool, and a free spray park on site (11am–7pm daily, June to Labour Day, unsupervised). Pool runs May long weekend to end of August. Closed Sundays.

  • What to see nearby: Remington Carriage Museum, the Cardston Alberta Temple and visitors centre, Carriage House Theatre, the Cardston Nature Trail, and Waterton Lakes National Park about 45 minutes west

Crowsnest Pass Community Pool

Lazy river, waterslide and a hot tub — with mountain peaks over the fence.

  • Address: 11973 20 Avenue, Blairmore

  • Pool features: six-lane lap pool, lazy river, large waterslide, dedicated toddler pool, hot tub, spray park, zero-depth beach entry, grass and loungers (fully renovated 2017)

  • What to see nearby: Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Bellevue Underground Mine tour, Leitch Collieries, Crowsnest Lake — all within 20 minutes

Henderson Outdoor Pool

Lethbridge's summer-only pool, right on Henderson Lake.

  • Address: 2710 Parkside Drive South, Lethbridge

  • Pool features: toddler park, two curling waterslides, zero depth entry and spray features with multiple slides

  • What to see nearby: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden (five-minute walk), Henderson Lake Park trails and playground, Exhibition Park, Bird of Prey Centre

Vulcan Lions Community Pool

Two twister slides and a climbing wall, in the Alberta town known for its Star Trek Visitor Centre.

  • Address: 516 Centre Street, Vulcan

  • Pool features:zero depth entry, tot area, two waterslides, spray feature and spray park, 1-metre diving board, climbing wall, inflatable toys, and a 10-person hot tub.

  • What to see nearby: The Vulcan starship replica and a Trek-themed visitor centre, Vulcan District Historical Museum and the town's grain elevator (short walk from pool)