Fairmont Pool

Fairmont pool was one of my least favorite pools, even though Lowell and South are smaller. An L-shaped pool like Borah, Fairmont goes from 3 to 6ft in depth and there are no diving boards. The only amenity is a basketball hoop. My perspective may have been somewhat skewed by the sidewalk construction happening outside and the less-than-helpful staff member I interacted with.This pool would be good for lap swimming. There are lap swim hours between 12 and 1 daily.

Fairmont does have the advantage of being next to Fairmont Park and a shave-ice hut, just like Borah. Lounge chairs are available free of charge for adults, and lap swims are available from 

Fairmont pool is located at 7929 Northview Street, south of the Ustick and Cole intersection. For hours, visit the City of Boise website here. For rates, click here.  

Borah Pool

 Borah pool is located in south Boise at 801 Aurora Dr. It has a medium sized L-shaped pool, with 2 diving boards. Most of the pool area is relatively shallow, varying from 2.5 ft at one corner to 4ft at the other, with the deepest water in the middle. This pool has enough depth for swimmers to do laps, though this is probably best done during the lap swim times.

There is a splash park area, similar to what many local parks have, off to the side of the main pool.

Lounge chairs are available free of charge for adult patrons. There are two large stands of bleachers, and a small grassy area next to the pool. There is absolutely no shade at Borah, so be prepared!

The pool is immediately adjacent Borah Park which has a large playground, as well as grassy fields. There is also a shave ice hut right outside the pool. This pool would enjoyable for adults or children, as long are prepared for the sun.  For rates, click here. For hours, click here.

South Pool

South pool, located at 921 S Shoshone St, is the mirror image of Lowell pool. Both of these pools have a distinctive Art Deco style that remind pool-goers of simpler times. The raised design is not stroller or handicapped friendly. Small locker rooms for men and women are located on the ground floor.

Simplicity is the name of the game at South pool, with an oval pool that ranges from 3 to 12 ft and one diving board. There is limited pool-side seating and deck area. There is a basketball hoop in the shallow end. Like Lowell, this pool is best suited to children over age 5 as they will be able to touch in the shallow end. All Boise pools have rules against floatation devices.

The staff are friendly and helpful, and the water is cold and refreshing. South pool is right next to South Junior High School. Parking is limited to street parking, as the pool doesn't have its own lot. South Pool is open M-Sat, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. For admission prices, visit the Boise Parks and Recreation page here. Don't forget, August 24th is the last day Boise pools are open!

Ivywild Pool

Ivywild Pool is great for families with small children. It has two pools, one which is 1.5 feet deep, the other is aproximately 4 ft deep. There are tons water play features from slides for toddlers, to raining umbrellas and spraying animals. There are three larger water slides for older children and adults which do not charge any fees above the admission charge. However, if you are looking for a place to do some diving or swim laps, Ivywild is not the pool for you.

There is very little shade, but the pool allows canopies and umbrellas to be brought in. There is a snack bar that sells smoothies, ice cream, and wraps at reasonable prices. The pool also allows patrons to bring their own food. There is a small canopy with picnic tables. Ivywild does not accept debit or credit cards, so plan accordingly. For admission rates, click here. For hours and location, click here.

Ivywild is an ideal place for a birthday party or just an afternoon of water play fun for a fraction of the cost of the local water park.

Rodeo Time! The Snake River Stampede.

  Every July, Idahoans have the chance to see one of the top rodeos in the country at The Snake River Stampede. Since 1937, this Nampa rodeo has entertained thousands.

Held at the Idaho Center in Nampa, rodeo ticket prices start at $13.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids. Events include barrel racing, bull riding, team roping, bareback bronc riding, and steer wrestling among others. For full details on events, hours, and tickets visit the rodeo site here. Food and drinks for adults are not allowed into the center, though they kindly allowed the sippy cup of milk in my daughter's diaper bag into the rodeo.

As a certified city slicker, rodeo culture is entirely new to me. There was a definite patriotic, heartland-of-America kind of vibe. There were plenty of pick-ups and cowboy hats, but also enough suburbanites that I didn't stick out like a sore thumb. The bucking events will give you an entirely new appreciation for the eternity that eight seconds can be. My kids enjoyed the lighted horse drill team and the stage coach, and I watched the toughest pack of 5-7 year olds I've ever seen participate in "mutton busting". Mutton busting is a pre-rodeo event that involves kids riding sheep bareback for as long as possible.

If you want to feel like a cowboy for a day, you can visit the rodeo tonight, tomorrow afternoon, or watch the finals on Saturday evening.

The Natatorium

Tucked away on the on the south side of Warm Springs Avenue in east Boise is a fantastic family pool. The Natatorium is one of Boise's six municipal pools. A luxurious indoor pool was originally built on that site in 1892, and like many things on Warm Springs Ave., it was heated by hot springs. Unfortunately a windstorm in 1936 damaged the original Moorish style building and it was torn down. Though times have changed, the Natatorium still has a lot to offer.

There are two pools, a snack bar, a picnic area, and an enclosed water slide called the Hydrotube. Please note that there is an additional fee to use the Hydrotube (see the admission fees here). The main pool runs in depth from 3 ft to 12 ft and has two diving boards. The water temperature is cool but not cold. There are deck chairs and umbrellas available for use, but these fill up quickly and there is not much other shade. The smaller pool is a wading pool ideal for children 4 and under. There are two seal statues that spray water and and umbrella water feature. The wading pool floor slopes gently so little ones can play in water that is only toe-deep if they are timid.

Food and drink may be brought in, but must be eaten in either the grassy area or the snack bar's picnic area. The Natatorium has a snack bar that sells ice cream, smoothies, and wraps.

The Natatorium is located at 1811 Warm Springs Ave, right behind Adams Elementary School. It is hard to see from the road, but the parking lot is between the school and the Trolley House restaurant.

For admission rates, click here. The pool is open to all Monday-Saturday from 1:30-5:30 pm and from 7pm-9pm., and on Sundays from 1:30-5:30pm. There is a lap swim open to ages 16 and up daily from 12:05-1pm and Monday-Friday 5:35-6:35pm. There are specials hours for preschoolers Monday-Friday from 10am-12pm. The Natatorium is scheduled to close for the season on August 24th.

The Natatorium is a terrific family pool with amenities that will keep everyone from toddlers to teens enjoying the water. If you are looking for the low-budget version of a water park, The Natatorium is the pool for you.

Pools Closed for 4th

All Boise community pools will be closed on Monday, July 4th.

Lowell Pool

Built in 1953, Lowell Pool is located in Boise's North End at 1601 N. 28th St.  If you are looking for a place to cool off in a hurry, this is your pool. One long-time resident assured me that Lowell has the coldest water of all the pools in the city.

The pool is elevated, with men's and women's showers located on the ground level. It is well-fenced, so there is no danger of anyone falling from the top level. The water depth starts at 3 feet and increases to12 feet. Access to the water is via a ladder, not steps. There is a diving board in the deep end.

With a very small deck area, limited shade, and a deepish shallow end, I wouldn't recommend this pool for families with children under the age of 5. Generally popular with the neighborhood's teens and pre-teens, this pool serves that age group well. This pool is not handicap-accessible.

For adults (16+), the pool offers a lap swim session on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 5:05pm-6:35pm, and a Saturday lap swim from 12pm-1pm.


General pool hours are Monday-Saturday 1:30pm-5:00pm, and 7pm-9pm. Sunday hours are 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Lowell Pool is scheduled to close for the summer on Aug 12th, 2011.
For admission rates, click here.

If you enjoy a little bit of retro charm and nostalgic simplicity, Lowell Pool is just the place to travel back to the long days of your childhood summers.

Blog Kick-off & Boise Pool Reviews

To celebrate summer and the official launch of our blog, we’re going to start things off by reviewing Boise’s six community pools. With rates starting at $3.00 for adults and $1.50 for kids (rates vary slightly depending on the pool, for a comprehensive list of fees see here), Boise's community pools are an inexpensive choice for summer fun. Season passes are also available. See the previous link for further details.