The pool scene in Las Vegas is among the most awe-inspiring in the world, with many complexes boasting amenities like waterfalls, wave pools, lazy rivers, real sand beaches, and unmatched luxury.
Pool decks range from relaxing and low-key on one end of the spectrum, to raucous party environments on the other.
Although Las Vegas is home to numerous pools built to impress, there are others that leave guests wanting…more.
It got me thinking – Are you able to use a Las Vegas pool even if you aren’t staying at the resort?
It depends.
Typically, the answer’s no, and a room key is needed to gain access to the pool. There are exceptions, however, both for visitors staying off-property and locals.
Below, I’ll break down which pools you are able to access (for free or for a fee) even if you aren’t staying at the property.
Reminder: Pool policies are fluid and can change quickly. I always recommend calling the pool directly to confirm their current policy before making the trip!
Vegas Pools That Are Free for Anyone to Use:
Unfortunately, there aren’t any resorts currently offering free non-guest access to their pool. Topgolf, below, is the only completely free pool in Las Vegas that’s open to all.
Topgolf’s Hideaway Pool: It may not be a resort, but Topgolf’s 2-level pool is open to the public, provided you’re over the age of 21. Note that no purchase is necessary. Just show up, and lounge!
Sahara: The Azilo Ultra Pool is best described as a “miniature Stadium Swim” and offers free entry daily to anyone over the age of 21. A cover charge is required for certain events/holidays – Make sure you check their calendar!
The Moroccan-themed space has a 240-foot TV screen and is more of a party destination, often featuring live DJs.
Las Vegas Pools Locals Can Use For Free
Tropicana: Locals can access Trop’s pool for free on weekdays with a valid Nevada driver’s license. The cost of entry goes up to $10 on weekends and holidays.
Horseshoe: Not only is Horseshoe’s pool one of the only deep options in Vegas (reaching depths of up to 12 feet), but they’re also one of the only options on the Strip that allow free entry to locals with a NV ID.
Palms: Now under new ownership, Palms is allowing locals free pool access Monday through Friday. Just bring your NV ID.
Las Vegas Pools Anyone Can Use for a Fee:
Caesars Entertainment Properties: Renting a cabana or daybed at your desired pool will guarantee you the ability to enter, even if you aren’t staying at the resort. Cabanas and daybeds can be booked in advance online with your desired property.
Resorts under the Caesars umbrella include Caesars Palace, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Linq, Harrah’s, Cromwell, Horseshoe, Rio, and Flamingo.
MGM Resorts Properties: Although no MGM pools offer day passes, the pools are still accessible to those willing to spend up for a cabana or daybed.
I personally recommend checking out Mandalay Bay’s beach or MGM Grand’s sprawling pool complex. Both come equipped with a lazy river.
Browse cabana rates by resort, here.
Resorts that fall under the MGM umbrella include Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, NYNY, Park MGM, Aria, MGM Grand, and Bellagio.
The Mirage: Now owned by Hard Rock International, The Mirage allows anyone who rents a cabana or daybed to access their pool on weekdays only.
Unfortunately, pool access is restricted to resort guests on weekends.
STRAT: The new “Swim & Social” pool is open on STRAT’s 8th-floor rooftop, and non-hotel guests can get in for $15. The re-imagined space is open to both adults and kids, provided they’re supervised.
Downtown Grand: Non-resort guests can access Downtown Grand’s rooftop Citrus pool deck with a cabana or table reservation.
Cosmopolitan: A cabana or daybed purchase will unlock access to both the Boulevard and Chelsea pools at Cosmopolitan. The fee you pay up-front is a food & beverage minimum that can then be spent at the pool.
Plaza: The rooftop pool at Plaza is accessible to anyone with the reservation of a cabana which costs:
- $125 ($50 rental fee & $75 minimum spend) on weekdays
- $200 ($50 rental & $150 minimum spend) on weekends
Golden Nugget: The Tank pool deck is again accessible to non-hotel guests for a fee payable at the entrance. Pricing varies by day, and is:
- $20 Monday – Thursday
- $30 Friday & Saturday
- $40 Sunday
Circa: Stadium Swim at Circa is accessible to guests not staying at the property for a cover charge that starts at $20, but can be more during peak times.
My suggestion? Place a sports bet prior to hitting the pool, then take the game in on the massive 143-foot amphitheater screen. I think you’ll agree that Circa ranks among the best pools in Vegas.
Red Rock Resort: Anyone can access Red Rock’s stunning Sandbar pool deck for a variable cover charge of:
- $35 Monday – Friday ($20 for kids)
- $45 Saturday – Sunday ($30 for kids)
Although located away from the Strip, Sandbar offers amenities like poolside gaming, and multiple pools spread across the complex.
Note that non-guest access to Red Rock’s pool is based on occupancy, which could make weekends a bit more challenging. Daybed or cabana rentals will guarantee entry, however.
Green Valley Ranch: Like Red Rock, Green Valley Ranch offers a beautiful pool complex away from the Strip complete with a real sand beach for a cover of:
- $20 Monday – Friday ($10 for kids)
- $30 Saturday – Sunday ($15 for kids)
- $50 on holidays ($30 for kids)
Note that access is based on occupancy, so it may be more challenging to get in on the weekends. A daybed or cabana rental will guarantee you access, however.
M Resort: Non-hotel guests can access M Resort’s pool for a cover charge of:
- $15 Monday – Thursday
- $25 Friday – Sunday
- $10 for kids daily
Tropicana: While Tropicana’s pool offers free access for those with a Nevada ID, the cost for out-of-state visitors is $10, 7 days per week.
Palms: Guests not staying at Palms can currently use their pool for free, however, an employee told me that they’re likely to charge a “nominal fee” of around $15-$20 per person as pool season ramps up.
I’ll be sure to make updates as needed, but it wouldn’t hurt to give them a buzz to ensure you know the current policy before making the trip.
Rent a Cabana to Gain Pool Access
Most pools in Las Vegas are open to the public, provided you’re willing to pay up to rent a cabana or daybed.
While cabanas require a food and beverage minimum spend or a flat fee to be paid upfront, ponying up for one will often gain you access to your desired pool.
As always, read the fine print when booking online and/or call the property directly to confirm their non-guest policy.
More on the ins and outs of Las Vegas pool cabanas here.
Gamble Poolside to Gain Access
Don’t want to pay a cover charge or rent a cabana? There are a number of Las Vegas pools that offer poolside gaming – As long as you indicate that you’re there to play, the staff must grant you access.
I recently showed up at Golden Nugget’s Tank, was asked for a room key, let them know I was going to be playing the tables, and in I went. Easy peasy.
Now, I’d recommend *actually* heading to the tables to play for a bit before disappearing into the pool scene, but I doubt they’ll be keeping tabs on you for long.
Las Vegas Dayclub Pool Experiences:
Sin City is home to numerous dayclubs and pool parties that provide a more upbeat, party atmosphere than a traditional pool. Below, you’ll find some of the more popular pool parties in Las Vegas along with a link to their events calendar so you can easily compare options.
Venetian Tao Beach: A smaller pool/dayclub environment located on the 4th-floor roof of the Venetian. Cover fees typically start at $15 for ladies and $20 for men. After taking last summer off, Tao is fresh off of a renovation project that re-imagined the space.
Encore Beach Club: Featuring artists such as The Chainsmokers, Diplo, and Afrojack, Encore Beach Club tends to be a hot draw. Male general admission tickets typically start at $55 and ladies can expect to pay $30 and up.
Mirage Bare: The dayclub’s tropical theme is a perfect continuation of the ambiance of the resort as a whole. The club itself is intimate – only 14,000 square feet offering an impressive assortment of specialty drinks.
Aria Liquid: “Energetic DJ’s” keep the music flowing at Liquid which also features a 30 seat bar/restaurant. Admission typically starts at $20 for women and $30 for men.
Cromwell Drai’s: This 35,000 square foot beachclub perched on the roof of Cromwell offers breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip.
Caesars Entertainment hotel patrons can gain free entry to the beachclub prior to noon and tickets will need to be purchased by non-Caesars guests and start at around $20 for women and $30 for men.
Mandalay Bay Daylight: Featuring a 4,400 square foot pool, Daylight offers a jam packed summer calendar with a cover charge starting at $20 for women and $30 for men.
Wet Republic at MGM Grand: A sprawling 54,000 square foot complex, Wet Republic showcases some of the hottest DJ talent available.
General Admission tickets for most events start at $20 for women and $30 for men.
Ayu Dayclub: Found at Resorts World, the newest resort on the Strip, Ayu offers a distinctly Southeast Asian vibe. Boasting resident performers like Zedd, DJ Snake, and Tiesto, Ayu is likely to be a popular destination this summer.
Ticketing for most days starts at $20 for ladies and $30 for men.
Marquee Dayclub at Cosmopolitan: A beach club by day and an extension of the nightclub in the evening. Marquee boasts 8 cabanas with their own private infinity plunge pool. Located on the second level of the Chelsea Tower, cover fees start at $30 for men and $20 for women.
Las Vegas Pool season typically starts coming to life in early March and is made better by the fact that there are breathtaking pool complexes that allow for non-guest access or Nevada locals access for free or for a small fee.
See Also: Las Vegas hotels offering poolside hotel rooms, and Vegas suites with a private pool.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
Amber Word
Sunday 6th of August 2023
Hey Jake, At ‘Aria Lounge’, you wrote that the entry for women is $120, and $30 for men. I’m assuming this is an error so I wanted to let you know. :) (If it’s not an error, WHAT THE HECK DOES ARIA HAVE AGAINST WOMEN?! Lol)
Thank you for taking the time to make this list. It’s very helpful!
Jake Hoffman
Tuesday 8th of August 2023
Great Catch, Amber! Usually it's the other way around :)
Annie
Saturday 5th of August 2023
Aug 5th 2023: Golden nugget is $50 per non guests on Saturdays. Not worth it.
Jake Hoffman
Tuesday 8th of August 2023
It is if you're staying at a resort without a pool :)
RadMom
Sunday 9th of April 2023
Yay summer fun!
Danielle Walker
Friday 6th of May 2022
Is this information accurate as of May 2022?
Jake
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
@Danielle Walker, I believe so! As always, I recommend double checking to be sure.
Michael Anthony Atkins
Friday 18th of June 2021
Are there any indoor pools accessible to the public? I'm staying at Luxor this weekend and its going to be 120 degrees.