News Summary
Asheville is preparing for summer as public pools across Buncombe County will start opening this weekend. Initially operating on weekends, daily hours will resume in June. Community members can enjoy free pool access with a ZOOM pass from the library. Eight pools will be available, along with several natural swimming spots. Water safety remains a top priority as families begin their summer aquatic adventures.
Asheville is gearing up for summer with the opening of public pools and swimming spots throughout Buncombe County starting Saturday, May 24. Initially, the public pools will be operational only on weekends and Memorial Day, before transitioning to daily hours starting in June.
From June 9, pools managed by the City of Asheville will be open every day. Closely following, the county’s pools will also begin daily operations on June 10. However, due to maintenance issues related to the Helene pool, only one of the city’s three public swimming pools will be available for use initially.
For Buncombe County residents looking to enjoy free pool access, a ZOOM pass is obtainable with a valid Buncombe County Public Library card. This initiative makes it easier for community members to take advantage of aquatic facilities.
Pool Locations and Fees
The Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center pool, which opened last year, charges a fee of $3 for daily entry. Seasonal passes are available for $100 for individuals and $150 for families.
Additional pool options include:
- Cane Creek Pool: Located at 590 Lower Brush Creek Rd., Fletcher, with a $4 admission fee.
- Erwin Pool: Situated at 58 Lees Creek Rd., Asheville, known for its maintenance and also costs $4.
- Hominy Valley Pool: Found at 25 Twin Lakes Rd., Candler, charges $4 and features nearby baseball fields and basketball courts.
- North Buncombe Pool: Located at 892 Clarks Chapel Rd., Weaverville, offers swimming lessons and party rentals for $4.
- Owen Pool: An outdoor pool at 117 Stone Dr., Swannanoa, with a $4 entry fee.
- BCS Aquatics Center: Found at 18 Ensley Stadium Lp., Asheville, operating year-round with a $5 admission.
- Aloft Asheville + Moxy Asheville pools: These glamorous pools charge $20 for daily access or $300 for a seasonal pass, including cabana rentals and bar service.
- Asheville Jewish Community Center pool: Operates year-round and requires a membership starting from $30 per month.
- Asheville Racquet Club: Offers both indoor and outdoor pools available through a monthly membership.
Natural Swimming Locations
In addition to public pools, Asheville offers beautiful natural swimming options. For instance, Hooker Falls in Hendersonville presents free access to one of the few swimming areas in Dupont State Forest. A short drive away, Looking Glass Falls in Brevard is accessible for free swimming, particularly safe when water levels are low. Silver Run Falls offers a serene swimming environment, also free to access. For those seeking adventure, Sliding Rock features a thrilling 60-foot water slide open from Memorial Day through Labor Day for a fee of $5.
Additional natural sites include Turtleback Falls, which has a natural swimming hole requiring caution due to strong currents, and Lake Glenville, the highest elevation lake east of the Mississippi, which opens for swimming on May 22. Wildcat Lake opens for swimming on Memorial Day and provides diverse recreational activities with its sandy beach area.
Water Safety
As summer vacations bring families to local pools and natural swimming spots, officials stress the importance of water safety. Visitors should remain vigilant about potential hazards associated with swimming in pools and natural bodies of water. By adhering to safety guidelines, residents and visitors can enjoy a safe and pleasurable swimming experience across the Asheville and Buncombe County area this summer.
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Additional Resources
- AVLtoday: Swimming Holes & Pools in Asheville, NC
- Wikipedia: Swimming
- WLOS: Buncombe County Public Pools Open
- Google Search: Buncombe County Pools
- AVLtoday: Swimming Lessons in Asheville, NC
- Google Scholar: Swimming Lessons Asheville
- WLOS: Pool Closures in Asheville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Swimming
- AVLtoday: Rent Swimming Pools in Asheville, NC
- Google News: Swimming Pools Asheville
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
