Pool season · State index
Arkansas Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 7 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 7 covered Arkansas cities. The median calendar runs April 7 to October 26. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
Arkansas: a long-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conway | Apr 7 | Oct 26 | 135 |
| Fayetteville | Apr 13 | Oct 21 | 113 |
| Fort Smith | Mar 28 | Oct 30 | 148 |
| Jonesboro | Apr 3 | Oct 28 | 138 |
| Little Rock | Mar 31 | Oct 29 | 140 |
| Rogers | Apr 17 | Oct 18 | 117 |
| Springdale | Apr 13 | Oct 21 | 113 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing Arkansas cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across Arkansas
The fairest way to compare Arkansas cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
Arkansas pool climate at a glance
Humid subtropical heat brings a long season across most of Arkansas, though the cooler Ozark highlands open later and spring severe-thunderstorm season can delay early openings. In model terms that makes Arkansas a long-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Fort Smith's pool season with Conway's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Arizona and California for the adjacent calendars.
Arkansas pool season FAQ
When do pools open in Arkansas?
Model openings in Arkansas run from March 28 in Fort Smith to April 17 in Rogers, with the statewide median on April 7. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in Arkansas?
The median Arkansas closing deadline is October 26, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which Arkansas city has the longest swim season?
Fort Smith leads with 148 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Springdale brings up the rear at 113 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.