Swimming in El Paso: Your Oasis in the Desert
Swimming is a great cardiovascular workout that helps you build endurance and tone your muscles with minimal impact on your joints. It also offers the opportunity to cross-train with other activities such as HIIT and aerobics, all while in the water. Above all, it’s a perfect way to workout while staying cool, which is of utmost importance in hot places like El Paso.
While El Paso is located in a desert with very few natural watering holes, the city offers plenty of aquatic facilities and activities for all kinds of people. We’ve assembled a list of some of the most accessible pools, along with their schedules, fees, and programs.
COUNTY OF EL PASO AQUATIC CENTERS
The El Paso County Parks and Recreation Department manages three outdoor aquatic facilities: Ascarate Park Pool and Aquatics Center, Canutillo Swimming Pool, and Fabens Veterans Park Pool. These pools are open from May 25th through September 2nd, with pool hours varying by location.
Aside from the pools (which are open for recreational and lap swimming), the facilities include picnic areas, volleyball courts, and water slides. If you’re new to swimming or need a little help working on your technique, Ascarate Pool offers lessons for children and adults. The cost is $40 for 8 lessons.
General admission to Ascarate Pool is $3 for adults and $2 for youth and seniors. Admission to Canutillo Pool and Fabens Pool is $2 for adults and $1 for youth and seniors. You also have the option to purchase an Open Swim Season Pass which costs $100 for adults and $50 for youth and seniors.
CITY OF EL PASO AQUATIC CENTERS
The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department has 13 public aquatic centers. Of these, 10 are indoor facilities open year round. The remaining 3 are outdoors and are open from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day Weekend. Pool hours vary by location.
Each center offers recreational swimming, swim lessons, and fitness classes such as Hydro Spinning, Water Aerobics, and Aqua Ballet. Additionally, they have set hours reserved for lap swimming. You can find a full list of programs and schedules for each location here.
Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for youth and seniors.
YMCA OF EL PASO
The YMCA of El Paso has three locations with indoor pools: Bowling Family YMCA, Loya Family YMCA, and Westside Family YMCA. The pools are open Monday through Saturday, but schedules vary by location.
Each location offers lap swim, open swim, and a variety of fitness classes. These include Aqua Cardio, Aqua Zumba, Rapid Liquid, and Splash & Build, among others. Additionally, you can sign up for private, semi-private, or group swim lessons with prices ranging from $25 to $200 based on membership status and class type. The fee includes four 30 minute classes.
Monthly membership at the Y costs $30 for youth, $49 for adults, and $75 for families. Not only does this provide you access to amenities and fitness classes beyond the pool, but it also comes with reduced pricing for swim lessons. Guest rates are $5 for youth and $10 for adults.
