Most community pools in Ohio are technically open to non-residents — you just pay more. That’s not a bad deal if the pool is worth it. These are the Southwest Ohio area pools that welcome non-residents and are actually worth the trip, whether you’re looking for a serious water park setup or just a solid place to swim that isn’t your own subdivision.
Note that some of these pools have limited non-resident hours or require reservations on peak days, so check the official site before you go.
Cincinnati Area
Ziegler Park Pool – Cincinnati (Over-the-Rhine)
Address: 1322 Sycamore St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
The most straightforward pool on this list: $4 per person, all ages, no residency required, no membership needed. The pool is large with a diving board, rock climbing wall, and varying depths. Monday through Thursday, open swim runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no reservation required. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, non-passholders need a timed reservation (three sessions available, each about 2 hours 45 minutes) — book up to two weeks in advance on the Ziegler Park site. The season runs May 16 through Sept. 13. There’s also a playground and concession stand on site. For families who can’t always plan ahead, the weekday no-reservation policy is a real advantage.
Ziegler Park pool hours and reservations
Mason Municipal Aquatic Center – Mason
Address: 6026 Mason-Montgomery Rd, Mason, OH 45040
Residency is not required for a day pass, and anyone can buy one. The outdoor leisure pool has zero-depth entry, spray geysers, a tot slide, a lazy river/whirlpool, and a three-story water flume slide. There’s also an indoor 50-meter Olympic pool open year-round for Premier Members. The outdoor pool is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Day passes can be purchased online or at the door — call ahead at 513-229-8553 for current pricing, as the city’s public-facing rate page requires an account login to view. First-time visitors can complete a guest waiver online to save time at the gate.
Mason Municipal Aquatic Center
Dayton Area
Adventure Reef Water Park – Kettering
Address: 2900 Glengarry Dr, Kettering, OH 45420
This is the closest thing Southwest Ohio has to a real water park that isn’t Kings Island. Three acres, a leisure pool, two water slides, a large water playground, an interactive splash pad, a baby/toddler pool, an indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a steam room. Non-residents are welcome — day admission runs noon to 5 p.m. for non-residents Monday through Saturday (residents and pass holders get in at noon, non-residents enter at 12:30 p.m.). Sundays are residents and pass holders only. The park is open through Sept. 7. You can bring your own food and cooler.
Kroger Aquatic Center at The Heights – Huber Heights
Address: 8625 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424
One of the more feature-packed public pools in the region — lazy river, water jungle gym, water slides, and a separate area for younger kids. Non-residents can swim most days: public hours are noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Monday and Wednesday are reserved for Huber Heights residents and season pass holders. Non-resident day admission is $16 for adults (18–59), $12 for youth (3–17) and $10 for seniors (60 and up). The season opens Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend. One adult is required for every three children under age 7.
Kroger Aquatic Center admission and hours
Washington Township RecPlex – Dayton (Centerville area)
Address: 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd, Dayton, OH 45459
The indoor pool here is open to non-residents year-round — no membership required. Non-resident walk-in rates are $10 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors. Summer hours for open swim are Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the summer schedule had not been released as of this writing — check the RecPlex site for weekday pool hours once the schedule is posted). This one is best suited for lap swimmers or families who want a lower-key pool option without the water park crowds.
