Looking for a fun way to stay active this summer? Swim A Lap Day on June 24 is a great reminder that it’s never too late to enjoy the water. Swimming and water exercise are gentle on joints, help improve strength and balance, and can even boost mood for older adults. Whether you want to swim laps, try a water exercise class, or simply cool off at a local beach, Washtenaw County has many pools, parks, and beginner-friendly swim programs to help you get started.
Benefits of swimming
- It’s a full body workout.
- Can improve your endurance.
- May help with expanding lung capacity.
- Water can support limbs during exercise, which makes exercising easier for people living with arthritis, people with reduced mobility, and people living with fibromyalgia.
- Can improve mood and mental health.
- Swimming is good for your heart- it can help improve cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and lower your risk of heart disease.
- Can help prevent osteoporosis.
- Can increase flexibility.
Local pools (* = outdoor pool)
Ann Arbor
- Buhr Park Pool (734) 794-6234*
- Admission:
- Adults: $6
- Seniors (60+): $5
- Admission:
- Fuller Park Pool (734) 794-6236*
- Admission:
- Adults: $8
- Seniors (60+): $6
- Punch cards range from $55-$425 depending on the number of punches.
- Admission:
- Health & Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College (734) 975-9950
- Also offer Aqua Arthritis classes.
- Admission (membership required)
- Adults: $70 initiation fee + $74 monthly dues.
- Seniors (65+): $70 initiation fee + $65 monthly dues.
- Mack Indoor Pool (734) 794-6236
- Admission:
- Adults: $8
- Seniors (60+): $6
- Punch cards range from $55-$425 depending on the number of punches.
- Admission:
- Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center (734) 971-6355
- Admission:
- Daily pass: $11/county resident or $13/non-resident
- Seniors (65+): $9/county resident or $10/non-resident
- Annual Membership (not limited to the pool)
- Adults: $306/county resident or $469/non-resident
- Seniors (65+): $236/county resident or $368/non-resident
- Note: Pool is currently under construction until spring 2026. Click here to follow updates.
- Admission:
- Veterans Memorial Park Pool (734) 794-6235*
- Admission:
- Adults: $8
- Seniors (60+): $6
- Punch cards range from $55-$425 depending on the number of punches.
- Admission:
- YMCA (734) 996-9622
- Offers a variety of aquatics classes, including arthritis aquatics and water walking.
- Admission (membership required):
- Adults: $70/month (plus one-time $75 joining fee)
- Seniors (65+): $65/month (plus one-time $60 joining fee)
Chelsea
- Cameron Pool (734) 433-2200
- Located at Beach Middle School.
- Closed when Chelsea School District is closed.
- Admission:
- $3/person (cash/check only)
- Punch cards are available ($50 for 20 visits)
- Chelsea Wellness Center
- Also offers water aerobics.
- Admission (membership required):
- Contact Member Services for current rates: (734) 214-0220.
- Scholarships available, contact (734) 214-0232 for more information.
Dexter
- Dexter Community Pool (734) 424-4180
- Offers senior exercise swim M, W, F 8:30-9:30 am
- Admission:
- Adults: $3/residents or $4/non-residents
- Seniors: $1
- Quarterly pool passes available ranging from $30-$90.
- Dexter Wellness Center
- Admission (membership required):
- Contact Member Services for current rates: (734) 580-2500.
- Scholarships available, contact (734) 214-0232 for more information
- Admission (membership required):
Milan
- Milan High School Pool (734) 439-5050
- Also offers water aerobics.
- Must sign up for slots online.
- Click here to sign up for water aerobics class.
- Admission:
- Adults: $4
- Seniors: $3
- $6.50 drop in rate for water aerobics classes (or purchase 8 sessions for $48).
- Individual season pass available for $96 (unlimited visits).
- Senior season pass available for $86 (unlimited visits).
Saline
- Saline Rec Center Aquatic Center (734) 429-3502, Ext.0
- Also offers water aerobics.
- Admission (membership required):
- Monthly membership: $45-$65/Saline residents or $58-$88/non-residents
- Senior monthly membership (60+): $35-$55/Saline residents or $47-$72/non-residents
- Annual membership: $420/Saline residents or $561/non-residents
- Senior annual membership: $333/Saline resident or $445/non-residents
Whitmore Lake
- Whitmore Lake Community Pool (734) 449-4461, Ext. 3057
- Admission:
- Adults: $3/non-residents
- Free for residents of the Whitmore Lake school district (must order free swim card)
- Punch cards available from $3-$60 (depending on number of punches)
- Admission:
Ypsilanti
- Rolling Hills Water Park (734) 484-9676*
- Offers low-impact river walking (runs May 26-August 23).
- Admission:
- River Walking:
- Adults: $4
- $60 punch card available (good for 20 visits)
- Admission for river walking doesn’t include the rest of the park.
- River Walking:
- Water Park:
-
- Adults: $12/county resident or $16/non-resident
- Vehicle admission fee may apply.
-
- Rutherford Pool (734) 905-7391*
- Admission:
- Adults: $5
- Seniors (55+): $4
- Punch cards are available for $20 (adults) or $16 (seniors). 5th visit is free with punch card.
- Admission:
Local Beaches (* = requires Recreation Passport)
Dexter/Lyndon Township
- Pickney Recreation Area (734) 426-4913 (lakes are in Dexter Township)*
- Admission: no additional fee
- Includes Silver Lake Beach, Half Moon Beach, and Bruin Lake Beach.
- Waterloo Recreation Area (734) 475-8307*
- Admission: no additional fee
- Includes Sugarloaf Lake Beach
- Largest state park in Michigan’s lower peninsula! Maps, directions, and more information can be found on their website.
Whitmore Lake
- Independence Lake Park (734) 449-4437
- Admission:
- Adults: $6/county resident or $10/non-resident
- Seniors: $3/county resident or $6/non-resident
- Annual passes: $30/county resident or $45/non-resident
- Admission:
Recreation Passports are annual passes that grant motorized vehicle entry to all 103 Michigan state parks and recreation areas, campgrounds, and trails. You can buy a passport at the Secretary of State Office when you renew your license.
- Cost: Passports are $15 when purchased when you renew your license plate (a 2-year option is available for $29).
- A $5 fee is added when you buy a Recreation Passport after you renew your registration.
- Passports are valid for one year or until your registration expires.