Swim Ponds & Retreats
Transforming Backyards Into Luxury Pond-Side Retreats
Luxury Swim Ponds & Backyard Retreats in Oklahoma
At Garden Ponds Unlimited, we specialize in building high-end natural swim ponds and outdoor retreats that go far beyond a backyard water feature. These aren’t just ponds, they’re fully immersive escapes designed for relaxation, swimming, and year-round enjoyment.
With over 28 years of experience, a portfolio of stunning projects, and 450+ reviews from happy clients, we’ve earned our reputation as Oklahoma’s most trusted pond builder. Our team combines artistic vision, ecological design, and expert construction to create private resort-style environments that elevate your entire property.
Every swim pond retreat we build is tailored to your landscape and lifestyle. Whether you want a crystal-clear swimming area with biological filtration, a tranquil setting with cascading waterfalls, or a full-yard transformation complete with outdoor living zones, we’ll bring your dream to life.
We proudly serve Moore, Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, and surrounding areas.
Check Out This Swim Pond Retreat
What Our Pond Clients Say...
Just had my pond clean out done, they were very careful with my fish, gave me a free owners manual, and tips on how to better care for my fish! My pond looks amazing! Thanks to them!
I was a little bit weary of using Garden ponds unlimited for my clean out because they charge by the hour instead with a bid like the other Pond companies. but in the end it was cheaper and just as good of a job
What Does a Natural Swim Pond Cost in Oklahoma?
Investing in a natural swim pond is about more than adding a water feature — it’s about creating a year-round backyard retreat that blends natural beauty with functionality. At Garden Ponds Unlimited, we’ve spent over 28 years designing and building custom swim ponds across Oklahoma, earning 450+ five-star reviews from happy homeowners who value craftsmanship and trust.
Depending on the size, design, and site conditions, a professionally built swim pond in Oklahoma typically ranges from $50,000 to over $100,000.
Three common types of swim pond projects
Most of our clients fall into one of these three categories:
1. Building a Natural Swim Pond From Scratch
Starting fresh allows for the most flexibility. We’ll excavate, shape, and build your swim pond from the ground up with:
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- Biological filtration systems
- Shallow and deep zones for swimming
- Optional features like sandy beaches, natural stone, waterfalls, and surrounding landscaping
Pricing typically starts at $50,000 and goes up depending on scale, accessibility for machinery, and the complexity of your desired features.
2. Converting an Existing Pond Into a Swim Pond
Have a pond already? We can transform it into a clean, swimmable ecosystem by:
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- Upgrading or replacing the filtration system
- Reshaping or expanding the pond for better circulation and safety
- Adding rock edges, aquatic plants, and natural buffers
These conversions usually fall between $35,000 and $70,000, depending on the pond’s current condition and what needs to be added or rebuilt.
3. Converting a Traditional Swimming Pool Into a Natural Swim Pond
We can convert a chlorine pool into a chemical-free natural swim pond, replacing the sterile look with something organic and inviting. This type of retrofit typically involves:
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- Removing or bypassing mechanical pool systems
- Installing biological filtration
- Adding aquatic plants, boulders, and landscaping for a natural aesthetic
Pool conversions generally cost between $40,000 and $85,000, depending on size and condition.
Additional Cost Factors to Consider
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- Access limitations (tight yards, narrow gates, etc.) can raise labor and equipment costs
- Custom design elements, like multi-tier waterfalls or hardscaping around the pond, increase overall cost
- Soil conditions and drainage can affect excavation scope and base prep
If you're serious about building a luxury swim pond in Oklahoma, our team is ready to guide you from concept to completion. We serve Moore, Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and surrounding areas.
Extra Large Custom Pond
We are capable of building ponds of any size! Whether it's a zoo exhibit that requires a very specific type of eco-system or a dramatic and beautiful entrance to your private or commercial property, we can design and build whatever you wish!
Cost $35k-$150k+
Depending On Size and Scope
What’s the Difference Between a Decorative Pond and a Natural Swim Pond?
If you're planning to add a water feature to your backyard, it's important to understand the difference between a traditional decorative pond and a natural swim pond. While both enhance your outdoor space, their purposes, construction methods, and functionality are very different. Here's what sets them apart:
Purpose and Use
Decorative Ponds:
These are designed to provide visual beauty and a calming atmosphere. Often built with koi, goldfish, and aquatic plants, traditional ponds are peaceful focal points for your garden — but not meant for swimming.
Natural Swim Ponds:
Swim ponds are built for human enjoyment and direct interaction. They combine the look of a natural pond with the function of a swimming pool, offering a chemical-free, eco-friendly, and refreshing way to cool off during Oklahoma’s hot summers. You can swim, wade, lounge, or simply enjoy the view.
Design and Construction
Decorative Pond Design:
These ponds are typically smaller and shallower, built to support aquatic life. They rely on filtration systems designed to keep fish and plant life healthy and water visually clean.
Swim Pond Design:
A natural swimming pond is a much larger, more advanced system. It includes:
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- Deep zones for swimming
- Shallow shelves for lounging or aesthetics
- Biological filtration systems (no chemicals)
- Natural materials, such as boulders, gravel, aquatic plants, and sometimes sandy beaches
- Optional features like waterfalls and wetland zones
Each swim pond is custom-designed to match your lifestyle, your property, and your vision for an outdoor retreat.
Maintenance Needs
Pond Maintenance:
Decorative ponds require regular upkeep like skimming debris, maintaining pumps, and monitoring fish health. Water clarity is usually managed with UV clarifiers, beneficial bacteria, and proper plant balance.
Swim Pond Maintenance:
Natural swim ponds require a bit more attention, as the water must remain safe and enjoyable for swimming. Maintenance includes:
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- Monitoring pH and water oxygen levels
- Checking the performance of biological filtration
- Keeping plant zones healthy and free of excessive debris
While more involved, a well-built swim pond is low-maintenance long-term and doesn’t require harmful chlorine or constant chemical balancing like traditional pools.
Which Option Is Right for You?
If you're simply looking to enjoy the sound of water and the beauty of koi, a traditional pond may be all you need. But if your dream is to swim in clear, natural water just steps from your back door, a custom swim pond offers the best of both form and function.
Oklahoma’s Swim Pond Experts
At Garden Ponds Unlimited, we’ve been building natural swim ponds for over 28 years across Moore, Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and surrounding areas. With over 450 five-star reviews, our team brings unmatched expertise in water feature design, natural filtration, and outdoor living.
To schedule an estimate for your pond building project please call (405) 799-7663 or fill out our contact form and we’ll get right back to you.
Our Swim Pond Construction Process
At Garden Ponds Unlimited®, we follow a proven six-step process to ensure your recreation pond is expertly designed and built to last as a thriving, low-maintenance eco-system.
We start with a consultation to discuss your vision, preferences, and budget.
Your recreational pond design will be carefully outlined in your yard using painted guidelines, giving you a clear visual representation of its size, shape, and placement before construction begins. This step allows you to see exactly how your new recreational pond will integrate into your landscape, ensuring the layout complements your outdoor space. It also provides an opportunity to make any adjustments before excavation starts, so you can feel confident that your pond will be positioned exactly how you envision it.
Once the design is finalized, we excavate and prepare the site with precision. This step includes digging, grading, leveling, and shaping the pond area to create the desired look and to ensure proper water flow if there is a stream or waterfall incorporated.
We install the pond liner, skimmer or bog skimmer, filtration system, pump, and other necessary components to ensure your pond functions flawlessly. Lights, if purchased, will be installed with strategic placement of each light. Rocks, gravel, driftwood (if purchased), and other natural enhancements are carefully placed to create a visually stunning and natural-looking environment, while also providing structure and shelter for aquatic life.
Once the structure is complete, we fill the pond with water and treated with our Garden Ponds Unlimited Dechlorinator to create the perfect conditions for plants and fish. We ensure the filtration system is operating correctly and all components are working smoothly. Aquatic plants are strategically placed, and koi or other fish can be added to establish a thriving, balanced ecosystem.
In the final step, we add the finishing touches, such as finishing the surrounding landscaping, or adding additional decorative features. Our team then provides a detailed walkthrough and provide you with our client owners manual, ensuring you know how to maintain your new pond and enjoy it for years to come.
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