Rent your your city pool by the hour. Earn $2,400–$5,400+/mo.

If you live near Bassetts Creek Park or spend your weekends shopping at Crystal Shopping Center, you know that summer in Crystal is a race against time. We get a few months of incredible weather, and every family in the Twin Cities metro area wants to spend it by the water. While public pools often feel crowded and noisy, your backyard offers a private retreat that people are willing to pay for. Within our marketplace, you can turn your underused pool into a high yield asset by welcoming local neighbors for hourly rentals.

Why Crystal pool owners are listing now

The demand for private recreation in Hennepin County has never been higher. Most people in the suburbs do not have the space or the budget to maintain a private pool, yet they crave the experience for birthday parties, family reunions, or a quiet afternoon swim. By listing your pool now, you capture a market of local swimmers looking for alternatives to the crowded Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.

Minnesota hosts have a unique advantage. Because our swim season is condensed, the demand is concentrated and intense. You can often book out your entire summer calendar before June even begins. Whether you have a simple above-ground setup or a custom inground pool with a slide, there is an audience in Crystal waiting to book your space.

Many hosts in nearby areas like Dayton, MN have already found that their pools pay for their own annual maintenance costs within just a few weeks of operating. Listing now allows you to set your rules and get your profile ready before the heat waves hit.

What you can earn in Crystal

Your earning potential depends on your amenities and the time of year. In Crystal, typical rates range from $40/hour to $150/hour. During the peak months of June, July, and August, many hosts see their income spike as families look for outdoor activities close to home.

Weekday vs weekend rates

Weekdays are perfect for "lap swimmers" or parents with young children who want a quiet morning session. You might charge $45/hour for these low-impact bookings. Weekends are when the real profit happens. For a Saturday afternoon birthday party or a Sunday family barbecue, $100/hour to $150/hour is common. If you allow groups of 10 to 15 people, you can justify premium pricing.

The seasonal swing

In Minnesota, your primary earning window is May through September. However, if you have a heated pool or a hot tub, you can extend your season significantly. Hosts with heated pools often keep their listings active deep into the fall, charging a premium for the warmth as the air temperature drops. Some hosts in northern climates like Brown Deer, WI or Augusta, ME use their hot tubs to generate income all year long.

How it works

Starting your side hustle is straightforward and requires no upfront investment.

1. Create your listing. Upload clear photos of your pool and backyard. Write a description that highlights your amenities, like a grill, fire pit, or outdoor speakers.
2. Set your rules. You decide the maximum group size, whether you allow pets, and what hours you want to host. You are the boss of your backyard.
3. Accept bookings. When a guest requests a time, you get a notification. You can chat with them through the platform to answer questions before they arrive.
4. Get paid. After the booking is complete, we deposit your earnings directly into your account.

What's covered

We believe that being a host should be profitable and stress-free. That is why we built our platform with a host-first mindset.

Transparent fees

We charge a flat 10% host fee. When you compare this to other platforms like Swimply, which often take 15% or more, the savings add up quickly. If you earn $5,000 over a summer, that extra 5% stays in your pocket to cover your pool chemicals or a new patio set.

$2M liability insurance

Safety is the biggest concern for any pool owner. Every single booking through our platform is covered by a $2M liability insurance policy. This protection is included at no extra cost to you. We want you to feel confident every time you open your gate to a new guest.

Vetted guests and support

We vet our guests to ensure they are respectful members of the community. You have the right to review guest ratings before accepting a booking. If you ever run into an issue, our 24/7 support team is available to help you resolve it quickly.

Crystal vs other side hustles

You might be considering other ways to make extra money, but pool hosting offers unique benefits that other platforms cannot match.

Vs Airbnb or VRBO: Short-term rentals require you to give up your entire home, deal with laundry, and manage overnight guests. With pool hosting, you stay in your house. You are renting out the yard for a few hours, then you get your privacy back immediately.

Vs Turo: Renting out your car means adding wear and tear and losing your primary mode of transportation. Your pool is already sitting there, likely costing you money in electricity and chlorine regardless of whether anyone is using it. Pool hosting turns a "sunk cost" into a profit center.

Vs Dog Boarding: Services like Rover can be messy and unpredictable. Hosting a pool is a "clean" side hustle. Guests come, they swim, and they leave. It is much easier to manage a backyard than it is to manage a stranger's pet inside your living room.

Hosts in other regions, such as Beatrice, NE, have found that pool hosting is the most time-efficient way to earn thousands of dollars a month without the overhead of traditional property management.

Local rules to know in Crystal, Minnesota

Before you list, it is important to ensure your property is ready for guests. Most neighborhoods in Crystal are very host-friendly, but you should always verify any specific Homeowners Association (HOA) rules that might apply to your property.

Safety is the priority. In Minnesota, residential pools generally require a fence or barrier that meets specific height requirements with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Ensure your gate is in good working order before your first booking arrives. You should also keep a standard life ring or reaching pole near the pool area as a best practice. Keeping your water chemistry balanced and providing clear instructions on where guests can park will ensure you get five-star reviews from the start.

Getting started today

You have a valuable resource sitting right in your backyard. Instead of letting your pool sit empty while you pay the maintenance bills, let it work for you. You can join hundreds of other homeowners who have turned their homes into mini-resorts for their neighbors. Whether you want to fund a vacation, pay off your mortgage faster, or just meet some great people in the Crystal community, we are here to help you succeed.

Ready to see how much your backyard is worth? List your pool today and start earning, or search for pools near you to see what your neighbors are charging.