When it comes to free pools on the Strip, Flamingo’s GO Pool is complete with waterfalls, a swim-up bar, and a lagoon. (Photo: Eugenio Roig / Alamy)
April has arrived in Las Vegas, which means temperatures are already starting to climb. The last week of March brought a serious heat wave, giving visitors a preview of what summer will feel like. Naturally, tourists are looking to cool off at pools across the city this time of year, both on and off the Strip.
Most resort pools are free for hotel guests, but not everyone loves their resort’s pool or wants to pay a lot to get in. The good news is that there are plenty of pools in Las Vegas that offer free entry or low-cost day passes that are worth checking out.
You can usually snag a free lounge chair at many of these pools, but VIP options offer guaranteed seating.
Here’s a breakdown of the best free and cheap pools to visit in Las Vegas this summer.
Most visitors stay on the Strip to get the full Las Vegas experience, characterized by lounging poolside with a (possibly overpriced) drink in hand. Strip pools are known for being especially upscale and busy, but many are absolutely worth a visit.
My personal favorite is the Bellagio pool. The atmosphere feels classy and makes you feel like you’re right in an Italian courtyard. But if Bellagio isn’t your scene, there are plenty of other options across the Strip.
The Flamingo’s GO Pool is a free 21+ pool that’s popular with visitors on the Strip for its party vibe with DJs every day. You can access it as a guest or even if you're staying elsewhere. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
With it being a completely free pool in the middle of the Strip, expect crowds on peak days. There are plenty of free lounge chairs, but arrive on the earlier side to grab one. Bag checks are enforced, and outside food or drinks are not allowed.
But be prepared, it’s known to be one of the coldest outdoor pools in Vegas. Save it for a genuinely hot summer day rather than a mild spring afternoon.
Further north on the Strip is SAHARA Las Vegas with another free pool option. I did a staycation on the property earlier this year and was surprised to see how polished the casino-resort looks at this point. It might not be Fontainebleau or Resorts World, but the casino floor is modern, considering that the casino has been around since 1952.
The pool at SAHARA is free for everyone and has Moroccan-themed decor everywhere. The energy here is very upbeat since it is a free pool. On top of that, they offer valet and parking at no additional charge, making it even more convenient. It does get busier later in the day, so going earlier is your best bet.
The SAHARA also has the Alexandria Pool on the rooftop, but it is only available to hotel guests.
The Palms isn’t directly on the Strip, but it’s close enough considering that it’s only an 8-10 minute drive from central Strip properties like Bellagio and Caesars Palace.
Entry to the pool is free for all guests, regardless of age, seven days a week. The property offers two different pool options: a lively all-ages pool at the front and a 21+ pool area further back. The options make Palms Pool worth checking out, no matter your guests' ages.
Many seating options are available, including daybeds right along the water's edge or cabanas with personal pools. Their prices are affordable compared to options on the Strip, and what you pay for the seating actually counts toward your minimum.
The Palms also brought back its local cabana promotion, offering anyone with a Nevada ID a complimentary cabana any day of the week through April 30. In May, the pool gets busier, and they limit the deal to weekdays only. A $50 refundable deposit is required to hold the booking, but the pool staff are good enough salespeople that you may end up spending it (and more!)
Bag checks are enforced, and outside food and drinks are not permitted.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas sits slightly off the Strip on Paradise Road, on the site of the old Hard Rock Hotel. The main resort pool is super affordable with $20 day passes for all ages. These can be purchased in advance on ResortPass or at the door.
But even better, they have a sandy beach on one of their pools?! Kassi Beach Club is the 21+ pool experience located right next door to Kassi Beach House, the property’s popular coastal Italian restaurant.
The pool is still a party environment with a DJ, but not as intense as a dayclub. The full Kassi Beach House menu is available poolside, so it's a great way to try the food and feel like you’re lounging in an Italian oasis.
Kassi Beach Club is currently open Friday through Sunday, but will be open every day starting April 20.
All seating requires a food or beverage minimum, so there are no free lounge chairs like other pools. But the minimums are really affordable for a pool on the Las Vegas Strip. For $20, you can get a standard reserved lounge chair right on the water, and that amount can be spent on refreshments while you are there.
Remember the Bellagio pool I mentioned earlier? The place is absolutely gorgeous and feels like a paradise of its own. It’s typically reserved for hotel guests or those booking seating, but there is a workaround.
If you make a reservation at COMO Poolside Cafe, you can gain access to the pool area without any issues from security. After dining, you can usually stay and swim without issue!
Hours and availability may vary by season, so it's worth confirming before you make plans around it.
Topgolf also has a 21+ Hideaway Pool, which is expected to reopen sometime during the spring. Exact dates have not yet been determined.
If you’re trying to avoid the chaos of the Strip or just staying elsewhere, off-Strip pools have a more relaxed and affordable pool experience. Station Casinos properties have especially great pool scenes that rival those on the Strip.
Since off-Strip casinos have to serve both locals and visitors, prices are usually much more affordable for entry, cabanas, and food.
Parking and valet are almost always free at these properties, too.
Located west of the Strip in Summerlin, Red Rock has a large, family-friendly pool, with day passes available to non-hotel guests.
Weekday pricing is $30 for adults and $20 for children, while weekend pricing is $40 for adults and $30 for children. Holidays have higher entry and seating rates.
Red Rock also has a sweet deal for Nevada locals: daybeds are $50 Monday through Friday, compared to the usual $225! The caveat is that the $50 rental fee does not go towards food and drinks, so costs can add up.
Across the way in Henderson, Green Valley Ranch is a Mediterranean-themed casino resort with a different aesthetic than Red Rock. The best way to describe it is like a Tuscan early-2000s luxury house turned casino resort.
The pool has a sandy beach and is family-friendly. Just like Red Rock, they honor the $50 daybed deal for locals here as well.
Day passes are $20 on weekdays and $30 on weekends. For kids, it's $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends.
The Pond Green Valley Ranch's former 21+ pool has been permanently closed and converted into an event venue. But the main pool remains open as usual.
One of Station Casinos’ newer properties, Durango has become a fashionable hotspot for locals just 15 minutes southwest of the Strip. The casino doesn’t yet have family-oriented amenities like bowling alleys and movie theaters, so it has a more adult-oriented feel with many restaurants and bars.
Bel-Aire Backyard is the main pool at Durango, attached to Bel-Aire Lounge. It's $30 for access on weekdays, $40 on weekends, and $50 on holidays.
They have lily pads that sit right on the water, letting you dip in straight from your chair. Bel-Aire Backyard also hosts poolside concerts and a delicious ahi poke bowl on its menu. Entry is $30 on weekdays, $40 on weekends, and $50 on holidays.
This resort is not too far from Red Rock in Summerlin, as the name might imply. The Resort at Summerlin offers plenty of lush greenery and nature trails. The laid-back pool scene pairs well with this.
As a local, I know this casino-resort tends to attract an older crowd, but it is still a great option if you’re looking for something quieter. Day passes are $20 for adults and $10 for kids through April, increasing to $30 and $20 after.
Their spa pool absolutely deserves a mention here as well. For just $45 on weekdays or $55 on weekends, you can enjoy Spa Aquae's gorgeous outdoor pool, fitness center, steam room, cool shower, sauna, deluge shower, and cold plunge. A day pass at a Strip resort will usually run you well over $100 or more, especially at new resorts like the spa at Fontainebleau. Very few of them have outdoor pools, so it’s worth the visit for the price.
Vanessa is a news writer who brings hospitality industry insight and sharp storytelling to her editorial work for Casinos.com. She graduated from UNLV with a degree in journalism, and has experience working in the Las Vegas gaming and entertainment industry with Station Casinos and Wynn Resorts. She is passionate about staying informed on what’s happening in the world and finds story ideas not only scouring the web, but also by hitting the pavement and exploring the city she loves. When not living the casino high-life, you might find her in a quiet corner somewhere reading a good manga.
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