Balmorhea State Park

Park Alert…

Balmorhea State Park

  • Snorkeling at Balmorhea SP
    Bring your snorkeling gear and swim with the fish!
  • A man on the diving board at Balmorhea State Park
    Take a plunge into one of the world’s largest spring-fed pools.
  • Dining by the Canal at Balmorhea
    Stay in a historic motel and explore the flora and fauna of the cienegas.
  • Camping at Balmorhea
    Set up camp in the desert with a view of mountains.
  • Balmorhea Aerial View
    You'll leave refreshed after a visit to this iconic oasis.
  • Balmorhea Pool
    Experience a pool built more than 80 years ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

A Cool Oasis in the High Desert

Dive into the crystal-clear water of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Swim, scuba dive, or just relax under the trees at this historic park in arid West Texas.

Things to Do

The Civilian Conservation Corps built Balmorhea State Park in the 1930s. Nearly 80 years later, people are still cooling off at our park.

Swim, scuba or skin dive, camp, geocache, study nature and bird watch. Explore our restored cienegas (desert wetlands), home to endangered fish and other wildlife.

The park has picnic sites, an outdoor sports area and a playground. Rent our group hall for your next family gathering.

Stay overnight at one of 34 campsites. Or reserve a room at the San Solomon Springs Courts, motel-style retro lodging built by the CCC.

Swim 

The pool is open daily; swimmers pay only the park entry fee. No lifeguard is on duty. 

Swimmers younger than 15 must be supervised at all times by a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult over the age of 17. Pets are not allowed in the fenced pool area.

More than 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each day, gushing from the San Solomon Springs. The pool is up to 25 feet deep, covers 1.3 acres, and holds 3.5 million gallons of water. The water temperature stays at 72 to 76 degrees year-round.

Get involved

We welcome volunteers! Visit our Volunteer page to find out how you can help, or ask at park headquarters.

Support state parks by donating to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

Protect

Part of our mission is to protect this precious desert resource. You can help! Please respect the park and its heritage. Pick up trash, leave artifacts where you find them, treat historic structures gently, and admire but don’t harass wildlife.

Shop

Shop the park store for swimming and snorkeling accessories, t-shirts and souvenirs.

Ranger Programs

We offer programs on the nature and history of our park. Check our Events page for upcoming programs. Contact the park in advance to arrange a program for your group.

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Ask at headquarters about borrowing a Junior Ranger Explorer Pack for the kids!

Teachers: This is a Texas Aquatic Science Certified Field Site.

Civilian Conservation Corps:  The CCC built the swimming pool, San Solomon Courts, bath houses and most park facilities in the 1930s. To learn more, visit our History page.    

Area Attractions

9207 TX-17
Toyahvale, TX 79786

Latitude: 30.945036

Longitude: -103.786663

(432) 375-2370

Entrance Fees
  • Adult: $7 Daily
  • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Hours

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first.


Only the swimming pool and day-use areas are open. The rest of the park is closed for renovations.


Read more about visiting the pool on our Balmorhea FAQs page.


Check our Twitter feedFacebook page, or call us for updates.

Climate

May to September have warm days with cool nights. Bring a light jacket. Humidity is low year-round. Average rainfall is about 14 inches. August is often the wettest month.

National Weather Service forecast for this area
Elevation

3205 feet