Pool season · State index
Minnesota Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 10 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 10 covered Minnesota cities. The median calendar runs May 10 to September 28. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
Minnesota: a short-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | May 6 | Oct 2 | 64 |
| Brooklyn Park | May 10 | Sep 29 | 67 |
| Duluth | Jun 12 | Sep 19 | 0 |
| Lakeville | May 10 | Sep 29 | 48 |
| Minneapolis | May 8 | Sep 30 | 58 |
| Plymouth | May 10 | Sep 28 | 55 |
| Rochester | May 11 | Sep 26 | 28 |
| St. Cloud | May 16 | Sep 22 | 47 |
| St. Paul | May 8 | Sep 30 | 61 |
| Woodbury | May 10 | Sep 28 | 55 |
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota
The fairest way to compare Minnesota 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.
Minnesota pool climate at a glance
One of the shortest outdoor seasons in the country: deep winter freezes demand thorough winterization, and late-April ice-outs keep openings well into May. In model terms that makes Minnesota a short-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Brooklyn Park's pool season with Woodbury's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Michigan and Mississippi for the adjacent calendars.
Minnesota pool season FAQ
When do pools open in Minnesota?
Model openings in Minnesota run from May 6 in Bloomington to June 12 in Duluth, with the statewide median on May 10. 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 Minnesota?
The median Minnesota closing deadline is September 29, 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 Minnesota city has the longest swim season?
Brooklyn Park leads with 67 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Duluth brings up the rear at 0 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.