Charlottesville's outdoor pools ran May 23 to Sept. 7 in 2026 and the spray grounds reopen in May 2027. City day camps, registration dates and pool passes.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from Charlottesville Parks and Recreation’s pool pass, spray ground, summer camp pages and its 2026 Summer Camp Guide. Where a 2027 date is not out yet, we give the 2026 one and say so.

Charlottesville’s summer runs on two outdoor pools, four spray grounds and the city’s day camps. In 2026 the outdoor pools opened on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 23, and closed on Labor Day, Sept. 7. The spray grounds are closed until May 2027. Parks and Recreation says its summer 2027 camp information is “coming soon”; last year registration opened in early February. Charlottesville City Schools’ last day is Friday, May 28, 2027.

Who to call

  • Parks and Recreation: 434-970-3260, parksandrec@charlottesville.gov
  • Pool passes: 434-970-3072
  • Onesty pool: 434-970-3153; Washington Park pool: 434-970-3132
  • Register: Parks and Recreation online registration

Outdoor pools

Pool Address Features
Onesty Family Aquatic Center 300 Meade Ave. Water slides, in-water playgrounds, lazy river, diving board, lap swimming, zero-depth area, obstacle course, snack bar
Washington Park Pool 1001 Preston Ave. Zero-depth area, water slides, lap swimming, mushroom waterfall, snack bar
  • Season: 2026 passes were valid May 23 to Sept. 7. Both pools are closed until the 2027 season.
  • Daily admission (2026): residents $4 for adults, $2 for ages 4 to 17 and seniors 60 and up, $1 for people with disabilities; non-residents pay double. Children 3 and under are free.
  • Season passes: one pass covers both pools. In 2026 a resident adult pass was $56, or $48 if bought from April 1 to May 22; youth and senior passes were $29, or $25 on sale. Buy online or at Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center or Carver Recreation Center.
  • Financial aid: city residents can get 25% to 90% off passes on a sliding scale; apply online or call 434-970-3260. Aid covers passes, not daily admission.
  • Rules: personal coolers are allowed, but no glass, no alcohol and no food deliveries. Groups larger than 20 should reserve two weeks ahead.
  • Onesty has a pool webcam for checking the line.

Spray grounds

The city’s four spray grounds are free and reopen in May 2027:

  • Tonsler Park, 500 Cherry Ave.
  • Forest Hills Park, 1022 Forest Hills Ave.
  • Belmont Park, 725 Stonehenge Ave.
  • Greenleaf Park, 1598 Rose Hill Drive

Indoor swimming year-round

Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center has lap and family pools, indoor slides, a lazy river and an in-water playground. It is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; call ahead for recreation swim at 434-970-3072. The Crow Recreation Center indoor pool is closed.

City day camps

From the 2026 Summer Camp Guide:

Camp Ages 2026 dates and hours 2026 weekly fee
Camp Shenandoah 6 to 9 (rising 1st to 4th graders) June 15 to July 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $95 residents, $160 non-residents
Camp Blue Ridge 10 to 12 (rising 5th to 7th graders) June 15 to July 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $95 residents, $160 non-residents
Ultimate Adventure Camp 6 to 12 Late July, field trips all week See guide
Skateboarding camp All skill levels Weekly mornings, 9 to 11:30 a.m., June to August See guide
Adaptive camps (Camp Crow, Camp Henry) 6 to 13 and 14 to 22 June 16 to July 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $30
  • The general camps include weekly pool trips and a field trip, and serve breakfast and lunch through the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
  • Registration closes seven days before each week starts.
  • Charlottesville Pupil Transportation offers rides to and from the general camp sites; Ultimate Adventure Camp has no transportation.
  • The inclusion program supports campers with disabilities who can take part in a group of 10 or more; ask for accommodations three weeks ahead.
  • 2026 registration opened Feb. 2 for city residents and Feb. 17 for non-residents and adaptive camps. City residents can apply for scholarships, which must be approved before you register and take seven to 10 business days.

Swim team

The city’s Swordfish swim team takes new swimmers in May 2027 for the summer season. The city says new swimmers “must try out by swimming 25 meters freestyle and 25 meters backstroke” without stopping.

More summer outings

  • Farmers in the Park: Wednesdays, 3 to 6 p.m., May through September at Pen Park, 1400 Pen Park Road, and the Saturday City Market at 100 E. Water St. See farmers markets.
  • Fridays After Five: free concerts at Ting Pavilion on the Downtown Mall every Friday from 5:30 p.m.; the 2026 season ran April 17 to Sept. 11 (lineup).
  • Free roller skating: Carver Recreation Center lends skates free; see free things to do.
  • Fourth of July: see Fourth of July fireworks.
  • Trails and parks: walking and biking trails and kids’ activities.

What this means for you

  • Buy pool passes in the spring sale window (April 1 to May 22 in 2026) to save.
  • Set a reminder for early February: city camp spots open to residents first.
  • Spray grounds are free; bring the kids from May.

Related guides: Memorial Day, kids’ activities and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When do Charlottesville pools open?

In 2026, city outdoor pool passes were valid from May 23 to Sept. 7, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The 2027 dates had not been posted as of Oct. 19, 2026.

Where are the splash pads in Charlottesville?

The city runs four spray grounds: Tonsler Park, 500 Cherry Ave.; Forest Hills Park, 1022 Forest Hills Ave.; Belmont Park, 725 Stonehenge Ave.; and Greenleaf Park, 1598 Rose Hill Drive. They are closed until May 2027.

When does Charlottesville summer camp registration open?

For summer 2026, Parks and Recreation opened registration on Feb. 2 for city residents and Feb. 17 for non-residents and adaptive camps. The city says 2027 information is coming soon.

How much is a Charlottesville pool pass?

For 2026, a resident adult season pass was $56, or $48 on sale from April 1 to May 22, and covered both outdoor pools. Non-residents pay more, and city residents can apply for financial aid.

Is there an indoor pool in Charlottesville?

Yes. Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center is open year-round, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.