Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center in Baltimore: Olympic-Size Training Facility Open to the Public
The Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center is a 50-meter Olympic competition pool combined with a separate shallow teaching pool, operated by the University of Maryland Baltimore County and located on their Catonsville campus roughly 15 miles northwest of downtown. It functions as both a training site for competitive swimmers and a public facility for lap swimming, swim lessons, and recreational use, making it the largest public pool venue in the Baltimore metropolitan area outside of seasonal municipal pools.
What the facility actually is
The center opened in 2010 and contains two pools: the main 50-meter Olympic-size pool with moveable bulkheads that allow it to be divided into sections, and a shallow 25-yard instructional pool. The Olympic pool hosts the UMBC Retrievers swim team, competitive meets, and USA Swimming events, but operates lanes for public lap swimming on a daily schedule outside of team training times. The facility is part of the University of Maryland Baltimore County campus and requires visitors to use campus parking and check in at the center's entrance.
Pool access, pricing, and admission
Public lap swimming costs $7 per visit as of 2024, with punch cards available at 10 visits for $60. Swim lessons are priced separately and range from $80 to $160 depending on the session length and age group; lessons run in six-week sessions rather than drop-in classes. A full family membership runs approximately $80 per month but is available only to households with a UMBC student or employee. Day passes for non-members are the standard entry point.
The facility does not allow walk-ups during practices or competitions. Hours for public lap swimming are typically Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., though these shift around team schedules and maintenance. The center recommends checking their website or calling ahead to confirm lap-swim hours before visiting, as blocks of time are reserved for competitive training or meet events.
How it compares to Baltimore-area alternatives
Most Baltimore City public pools are outdoor seasonal facilities (open late May through Labor Day) with 25-yard pools. The Shake Shack Aquatic Center in Dundalk operates year-round indoors but is smaller and does not have an Olympic-size pool. Roland Park's municipal pool operates seasonally. Kennedy Shriver stands apart as the only facility in the region with a full 50-meter Olympic pool available to the public, which matters if you train for competitive swimming or want to work with distance intervals impossible in a 25-yard pool. For casual recreational swimming or young children's lessons, indoor city pools like those at Leakin Park (seasonal) or community center facilities are more convenient and less expensive, though they lack the Olympic dimensions and lap-swimming structure that Kennedy Shriver offers.
Who suits this facility and who does not
Kennedy Shriver works best for competitive swimmers training for meets, masters swimmers seeking a serious lap-swimming environment, and families willing to commit to a six-week lesson series. It suits people who value an Olympic-sized pool and don't mind traveling to Catonsville. It does not suit drop-in swimmers looking for flexible or casual recreation, families seeking a shallow leisure pool with a beach atmosphere, or anyone wanting a facility within Baltimore City proper. The lap-swim schedule is limited, and the facility closes to the public during competitions, so flexibility matters less here than consistency in your training routine.
What the first visit involves
Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for parking on the UMBC campus and to check in at the center's front desk. Bring a valid ID and be prepared to pay $7 cash or card for a day pass. The facility has locker rooms and showers but does not rent lockers or provide towel service; bring your own. You will receive a lane assignment based on current usage and your stated swim speed. Goggles are allowed but required to be your own; the center does not provide them.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Public lap-swim hours vary by season and team schedule. During the academic year, expect 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday plus Sunday afternoon slots. Summer hours typically expand slightly. Parking is free on the UMBC campus in designated visitor lots near the athletic center. The facility is accessible by car from I-695 or Route 29, but public transit options are limited; the closest MTA bus stop is a 10-minute walk away. Call 410-455-2745 or check umbc.edu/athletics for current hours before your visit.
Kennedy Shriver fills a specific gap: it is the only Olympic-sized public pool in Baltimore, which makes it essential for competitive swimmers but secondary for most recreational users.
