Swimming Pools and Lessons

Inclement Weather Policy and Closures
PP&R classes, activities, rentals, and sports events may be canceled due to inclement weather, such as ice, snow, or extreme heat. Call 503-823-2533 or visit portland.gov/parks/closures for the most current information. Some recreation programs may run as conditions and staff availability allow. Safety is a major factor in determining operations at each PP&R facility. PP&R facilities, our social media outlets, and our website will all feature operating information including opening and closing times.

• Please follow all posted pool and code of conduct rules.
• Admission is first-come, first-serve. Pool capacities will vary based on current staffing levels. For capacity questions, please reach out to your neighborhood pool directly.
• Certain amenities may be unavailable for safety or staffing reasons. Thank you in advance for your continued patience as we resume indoor aquatic programming. 
• Children under 48” tall and non-swimmers (including children in lifejackets), will require someone age 16 or over to be with them, in the water, within arms distance, at all times.
• All persons admitted onto the pool deck must pay admission, even if they are not getting in the water –  with the exception of swim lessons spectators.
• Do you need assistance from a PP&R team member? Please call your neighborhood community center pool. Pools and links are listed on this page. We apologize in advance for any delays in getting through to staff. 

Accessibility Notes 

We have chair lifts with straps available at the following pools:

• East Portland Community Center Pool - lifts available on Lap pool, Leisure pool and spa
• Grant Outdoor Pool* - lifts available for access to full pool
• Matt Dishman Community Center Pool - lifts available on Lap pool and spa
• Mt Scott Community Center Pool - lifts available on Lap pool and spa
• Peninsula Outdoor Pool * - lifts available for access to full pool
• Southwest Community Center Pool - lifts available on Lap pool and spa

The following pools have a zero depth entry into the leisure pool, and a pool-accessible wheelchair is available for pool visitors to use: 

• East Portland Community Center Pool - pool-accessible wheelchair available on Leisure pool
• Ida B. Wells Outdoor Pool (formerly Wilson Outdoor Pool)* - pool-accessible wheelchair available on Leisure pool
• Mt. Scott Community Center Pool - pool-accessible wheelchair available on Leisure pool
• Sellwood Outdoor Pool*
• Southwest Community Center Pool - pool-accessible wheelchair available on Leisure pool

*Outdoor pools are open seasonally June–August.

Potential Pool Closures

Pools and water features sometimes close unexpectedly for a variety of reasons. Our teams will do their best to manage these closures in a timely manner and will reopen as soon as it is safely possible.

1. Mechanical issues: There are many complex mechanical system failures that could lead to the closing of a pool or water feature. Our maintenance teams will do their best to resolve issues as quickly as possible, but sometimes unexpected repairs could result in extended closures.
2. Emergency Management: Our aquatics staff are trained to respond to a variety of emergency or medical issues. If staff is responding to an emergency, the pools or water feature may need to be closed so staff can properly manage the incident and follow all post-incident procedures.
3. Biological Water Contamination: If there is a biological contamination (fecal or vomit) in the water, our pools will need to close according to strict CDC sanitization guidelines.  The severity of these closures could vary from a 30-minute closure to a 13-hour shutdown of a specific pool or water feature. You can help prevent biological contaminations by following the below recommendations. 
   1. Take a cleansing shower before entering the pool
   2. Do not use the pool if you have had diarrhea or another disease communicable by water in the past two weeks.
   3. Non-toilet trained swimmers should always wear a properly fitting swim diaper in the water and on the pool deck. Swim diapers are available for purchase at all PP&R pools.
   4. Do not allow children to sit on water features that bubble up. 

Access Pass - Reduced Pricing

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) believes recreation is for everyone. We know that the price of programs and activities prevents some community members from being able to participate. Thanks to the Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy) we can offer new payment options for people who live within the City of Portland. City of Portland residents can register for a free Access Pass to receive an ongoing discount of 25, 50, 75, or 90% based on financial need. The pass is valid for 12 months from the date of enrollment. No proof of income is required.

Learn more about the Access Pass 

Admission and Passes

The fees listed reflect pricing for City of Portland residents. Non-residents are charged more to account for City of Portland taxes that support Portland Parks & Recreation.

• Pool capacities may be limited due to the nationwide lifeguard shortage.
• Little ones aged 0-2 are FREE.

Drop-In Admission (indoor pools)

• Youth (age 3-12): $4
• Teen (age 13-17): $5
• Adult (age 18-59): $6
• Senior (age 60+): $5

Drop-In Admission (outdoor pools)

• Youth (age 3-17): $3.75
• Adult (age 18-59): $4.75
• Senior (age 60+): $4.5

20-Visit Pass (indoor pools)

• Youth (age 3-12): $77
• Teen (age 13-17): $85 
• Adult (age 18-59): $106
• Senior (age 60+): $85
• Senior Couple (both age 60+): $85

20-Visit Pass (outdoor pools)

• Youth (age 3-17): $64
• Adult (age 18-59): $81
• Senior (age 60+): $77

Month Pass (indoor pools only)

• Youth (age 3-12): $29
• Teen (age 13-17): $33 
• Adult (age 18-59): $41
• Senior (age 60+): $33
• Senior Couple (both age 60+): $49
• Family: $66

Seasonal Pass (outdoor pools only)

(price pro-rated monthly)

• Youth (age 3-17): $69
• Adult (age 18-59): $87
• Senior (age 60+): $82
• Family: $142

Drop-in Swim

Portland Parks & Recreation offers drop-in swimming activities including lap swim, water fitness classes, and play swims. Access is included with daily admission. Pool capacities may be limited due to a nationwide lifeguard shortage.Thank you for your patience.

• View lap swim and water fitness class schedules
• View play swim schedules

Non-Swimmers and children under 48 inches in height must have a parent or guardian, age 16 or older, in the water within arm’s reach at all times.

Swim Lessons

Due to the high demand for swim lessons, participants may register for one class per person, per session. If you are not able to get into a class, we highly recommend you place yourself on the waitlist. You will be contacted if a waitlist opening becomes available.

All classes are 30 minutes long and are offered Monday-Friday for 2-week sessions. Please note that swim lesson classes are limited and vary by pool. Not all levels are offered at all times.  See the link below to view and register for swim lessons.

Summer staff training takes place through June 20. Outdoor pools open on June 21 and the first session of summer lessons begins July 5. 

Summer lessons take place from July 5 through August 27

• May 17 — Register beginning at 12:30pm for Swim Lessons, Summer Swim League, Jr Lifeguard, and Jr Swim Instructor programs that run between June 26 and July 30.
  • Session 1: 7/5–7/14
  • Session 2: 7/17–7/28 
• June 21 — Register beginning at 12:30pm for summer swim programs that run between July 31 and August 25. 
  • Session 3: 7/31–8/11
  • Session 4: 8/14–8/25

 Sign up for Swim Lessons and Activities 

Free Swim Lesson Week: June 26–30
Free Swim Lesson Week is a week where summer swim staff delivers a week of free swim lessons to kick off the summer season. All levels are offered.

• Registration takes place in person at your desired pool on Saturday, June 24 from 8:30–11:30am. Online registration is not available for free swim lesson week.

Swim Lesson Levels

Adult/Child (age 6 months_­­­­–3, with an adult)

• Angelfish: For children aged 6 months to 18 months who will be accompanied by a parent or other adult in the water. Water adjustment and basic skills development are emphasized as the instructor guides parents and children through this level.
• Starfish: For children 18 months to 3 years old who will be accompanied by a parent(s) or other adult in the water. Fun, water adjustment, and basic skill development are emphasized as the instructor guides parents and children through this level.

Preschool (age 3–5)

• Goldfish: For the non-swimmer.
• Pre-Penguin: For the non-swimmer who can put face in the water and blow bubbles.
• Pre-Otter: Must be comfortable in the water and be able to do a front glide with kick for 5 feet and unassisted back floats.
• Pre-Seal: Must be able to do back glides with kicking for 5 feet, front crawl with no side breathing for 10 feet, and five side breathing breaths with arms on wall.

Youth–Adult (age 6+)

• Penguin: For the non-swimmer who can put face in the water and blow bubbles.
• Otter: Must be comfortable in the water and be able to do a front glide with kick for 10 feet and unassisted back floats.
• Seal: Must be able to do back glides with kicking for 10 feet (youth), front crawl with no side breathing for or 15 feet, and five side breathing breaths with arms on wall.
• Polar Bear: Must be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim front crawl with arms and side breathing for 30 feet and backstroke with arms for 30 feet.
• Sea Lion: Must be comfortable in the deep water and able to swim front crawl with side breathing for 50 feet and backstroke for 50 feet.
• Dolphin: Must be comfortable in the deep water and be able to swim front crawl with side breathing for 25 yards, back crawl for 25 yards, and elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
• Park Shark: Must be comfortable in the deep water and be able to dive into the pool and swim front crawl for 50 yards, swim backstroke for 50 yards, and breaststroke for 50 yards.

Teen/Adult Beginner

• Teen: Learn front crawl, back crawl, and basic water safety in lessons designed just for you! Discover a new skill that could lead to employment.
• Adult: For the beginner swimmer

Group Swimming Information

Groups are welcome to come to Open Play Swim.  Admission is first come, first serve and capacity is based on daily staffing levels. To make your visit as easy as possible, please contact the pool that you would like to use at least 1 business day before your visit so you can complete a Group Use Agreement.  Groups will agree to the following items:

• We will adhere to the following Adult/Child ratio (in the water):
  • 1 adult per 10 swimmers who are age 6 or older
  • 1 adult per 3 swimmers who are under age 6
  • 1 adult per 4 swimmers of combined ages (older or younger than 6 years)
• Children WILL NOT enter the water until all counselors are in the water first.
• Our counselors will be responsible for the children at all times.
• Lifejackets are available for non-swimmers.
• Our group will obey all posted safety rules and any direction provided to us by lifeguards

Summer Swim Programs 

Jr Lifeguard & Jr Swim Instructor

Jr Lifeguard is a fun and challenging program for youth 11 to 15 years old. Jr Lifeguards will advance through two skill levels. Silver and Gold. Both levels are taught together in preparation for becoming a Lifeguard. Students will develop Rescue Skills, C.P.R, First Aid, Customer Service Skills and Water Safety Skills. Participants will Buddy Guard and develop skills necessary to become a PP&R Lifeguard.

Jr Swim Instructor is a fun and challenging program for youth 11 to 15 years old. Jr Swim Instructors will advance through two skill levels. Silver and Gold. Both levels are taught together in preparation for becoming a PP&R Swim Instructor. Students will train in stroke improvement, increase skill knowledge, learn how to develop lesson plans and how to teach water safety.

Register for Jr Lifeguard or Jr Swim Instructor

Summer Swim League

Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool of each front crawl and back crawl. This activity takes place at both outdoor and indoor pools during the summer session. This is a novice, competitive experience developed to enable kids to have a swim team experience. This league is not intended for club swimmers. Each pool facilitates an exceptional learning environment through excellent coaching, work on endurance and competitive skills.  Eligible participants must be able to swim past our Sea Lion level: able to swim the length of the pool of front crawl and back crawl.

Register for Summer Swim League

Blue Makos

Not offered during the summer season. Are you into speed, competition, and perfecting your technique?  Receive one hour per week of expert coaching in a fun, supportive environment. Participants will be given instruction on butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle, including competitive dives and turns. It is a great place to begin your journey to competitive swimming. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool: Front crawlstroke and backstroke (this correlates to passing Sea Lion level in the Portland Parks & Recreation swim lesson program.)

A pre-competitive swim league participants ages 6-17 will enjoy:

• 1-hour weekly swim practices at all pools
• Expert tips from an experienced swim coach
• A fun, supportive, learning environment
• Instruction on each of the four competitive strokes including dives and turns
• Every swimmer will receive a Blue Makos swim cap.

Employment Opportunities

PP&R is looking for motivated and responsible individuals to join our aquatics staff. Need the required training as a lifeguard or swim instructor? We offer lifeguard certification, swim instructor training, and water fitness instructor training classes year-round to prepare and train staff.

• Lifeguards provide safety at pools. 
• Swim instructors teach individuals of all ages how to swim. 
• Water fitness instructors teach well-rounded and balanced water fitness classes.

View employment opportunities and apply.
Learn more about what it’s like to work with PP&R by watching this short video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I rent the pool?

A: Due to low staffing levels, we are not currently offering pool rentals. Parties are welcome to attend open play swims as long as they follow adult to child group ratios (1 adult for every 10 kids age 6 and over, 1 adult for every 3 kids age 6 and under). Admission is first come, first serve and capacity is based on daily staffing levels.

Q: Will you offer private or semi-private lessons?

A: We are prioritizing group swimming lessons and are not currently offering private or semi-private lessons. If your swimmer needs ADA accommodation, please reach out to your neighborhood pool to determine the accommodation that will best work for your swimmer.

Q: What will the capacity of play swims be?

A: Pool capacities will be determined based on the staffing levels for the day. We will do our very best to admit as many swimmers as possible, but please note, there may be days where capacity is limited. A nationwide lifeguard shortage is affecting us as well.  Thank you for your patience and for being kind to staff.

Q: What happened to Columbia Pool and where can I find more information about it?

A: Columbia Indoor Pool has been permanently closed due to life-safety hazards for building occupants. The City knows the loss of Columbia Pool is disappointing news for the North Portland community and encourages Portlanders to check out Pier Outdoor Pool, Peninsula Outdoor Pool, and Matt Dishman Indoor Pool. These are the closest PP&R swimming pool locations to Columbia Pool. You can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions about Columbia Pool here.