Balmorhea State Park: Best Time to Visit and Swimming Tips - A-Z Animals

Balmorhea State Park is the largest spring-fed pool built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps Company. It is located in western Texas at the foot of the Davis Mountains. The San Solomon Springs feeds about 15 million gallons of water into the pool! This amount of water is equal to 300,000 bathtubs! Because of the amount of water that feeds into the pool, there is no need for chlorine treatment. Remember, no lifeguards are on-site when visiting this beautiful spring water pool, so keep a close eye on the little ones. Now, let’s check out the wonderful things Balmorhea State Park has to offer.

History of Balmorhea Park

In 1849, San Solomon Springs was known as Mescalero Springs because the Mescalero Apache utilized the spring water for their horse. The Mexican farmers named the spring and dug canals by hand to irrigate their crops. Today, we know water flows into the pool, but it also travels 3.5 miles east to the Balmorhea Lake and is used by farmers. The men working in the Civilian Conservation Corps Company built the 1.3-acre pool around the San Solomon Spring, including bathhouses, a concession building, and the San Solomon Courts. The park itself is named after four men who formed an irrigation company. The names of these men are E.D. Balcom, H.R. Morrow, Joe Rhea, and John Rhea. Take the first three letters of the last names, and you have Bal-mor-hea. Creative right?

Balmorhea State Park Entrance Cost

The cost to visit this beautiful park for the day is seven dollars for individuals thirteen years and older (kids under thirteen years are free). The normal hours for the pool are from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or until sunset, depending on the time change. Individuals wishing to scuba dive must show proof of a certification and pay a five-dollar fee. Walk-ins are welcomed; however, once the facility reaches an estimated 650 visitors, they will close for further visitors. Day passes are available for purchase, which is recommended to secure spots for you and your family. Annual passes will not only allow you unlimited visits but also have access to over eighty state parks! The pass will not guarantee entry, especially if the park is at capacity; however, it will allow you to visit all year round!

When To Visit Balmorhea State Park

You can visit Balmorhea State Park year-round; however, there are smaller crowds to encounter in autumn and winter. If you’re worried about being cold in the water during this time, not to worry; the water temperatures stay between 72 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The pool is 1.3 acres wide, holds 3.5 million gallons of water, and is 25 feet deep.

What To Do At Balmorhea State Park

There are plenty of activities to do at Balmorhea State Park with family and friends. Activities include swimming, scuba diving, camping, geocaching, or bird watching. If you want to simply enjoy nature and observe animals, you are in luck. Wildlife includes lizards, birds, turtles, and white-tailed deer. The spring water is also home to the nearly extinct Comanche Springs Pupfish. While swimming here, you may see Pecos gambusia, Mexcian tetra, Texas Spiny Softshell turtle, and Catfish. Although fishing may seem tempting here, it is prohibited to protect the precious wildlife here; however, you can at Balmorhea Lake.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Marcus Wennrich/Shutterstock.com