Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Balmorhea State Park adventure.
Cool off and swim with fish in the world's largest spring-fed pool, a Texas high desert oasis.
The main attraction here is the massive, 1.3-acre, 3.5-million gallon, spring-fed swimming pool. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s around the San Solomon Springs, it’s long been a popular spot to cool off with a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive, with depths of up to 25 feet. The park is also home to two reconstructed cienegas (desert wetlands) that support endangered fish, birds, and other wildlife. The Balmorhea Campground and CCC-constructed San Solomon Springs Court motel are your overnight options.
Summer and weekends are the most popular times here. Water temperatures average 72°F to 76°F year-round and are particularly refreshing in the heat of summer. The park has strict capacity limits of 650 people per day, so it’s best to make reservations ahead of time. Visit during the week or over winter for the best chances of entry. The pool is usually closed for a week in early May for its annual cleaning, while a café serving snacks and water recreation items is open on weekends, during spring break, and on some weekdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.