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Beat the heat with these places to swim around Lakeland

Go for a swim in these public pools, water parks, and rental pools around Lakeland.

Sunrise over palm trees and swimming lanes lined with blue and yellow pennant flags Gandy Pool in Lakeland, FL

Visit Gandy Pool for fitness classes like Aqua Spin and Splashersize.

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It’s Florida in the summertime — you don’t need us to tell you it’s hot outside. That’s why we’ve pooled together these places to swim, splash, and slide in Polk County.

Public pools

Lakeland offers two public pools: Gandy Pool in south Lakeland at the Kelly Recreation Complex and Simpson Park Pool in north Lakeland at the Simpson Park Community Center. Both have open and lap swim times, but check the hours online before you slip into your swimsuit.

Pro tip: Admission is $5 per person, but if you’re a regular at either pool, look into the annual activity passes to save money.

Aerial view of a small water park with slides and splash features next to a clear blue swimming pool and red-roofed city buildings

Lake Eva Aquatics Center is a ~45-minute drive from downtown Lakeland.

Splash pads + water parks

Lakeland’s free-to-use splash pad can be found at Barnett Family Park by Lake Mirror. Over at Bonnet Springs Park, take a walk through the shallow creek that leads down to the lagoon near the Boathouse. While it’s not technically a splash pad, we like to think of it as nature’s version.

For the full water park experience, head to Haines City for the Lake Eva Aquatics Center or buy tickets to the Legoland Water Park in Winter Haven. Both are open seasonally — but only one includes a Lego lazy river.

Satellite maps showing designated swimming areas at Lake Winterset, Lake Ariana, and Lake Clinch in Polk County, Florida.

Parts of Lakes Winterset, Ariana, and Clinch are now closed to vessels for swimmer safety.

Images via Polk County

Lakes

Despite its name, you won’t find many lakes where you can swim in Lakeland. If that’s your favorite way to take a dip, Polk County recently approved designated swimming areas in three lakes. Find them just a quick drive away at Lake Winterset in Winter Haven and Lake Ariana + Lake Clinch in Auburndale.

Rent a pool

Looking for a pool party that’s a little more private? Rent another Lakelander’s pool by the hour with Swimply to have your own oasis for an afternoon.

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