TX State ParksAn independent field guide

Balmorhea State Park

State park in Reeves County, in the Big Bend Country region. Established 1968. 764 acres by TPWD boundary data.

The Balmorhea State Park swimming pool near Balmorhea, Texas, United States. The pool is formed by water discharged from San Salomon Springs.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Balmorhea's spring-fed pool, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, is up to 25 feet deep, covers 1.3 acres, and has more than 15 million gallons of water flowing through it from San Solomon Springs every day. Swimming is included in the park entry fee. Day passes are sold for set entry times and early entry isn't allowed, so reserve ahead, especially from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Things to do

Swim, snorkel or dive the pool

Bring snorkel gear to swim with the fish. The pool holds 3.5 million gallons of spring water.

Explore the cienegas

The restored desert wetlands are home to endangered fish and other wildlife.

Note: To be built at mill at Bastrop State Park Specific date: 9/1/1936 Draftsman: Jones, J.C. Pink colored pencil. LN: 36.64 X HT: 24.82
Photo: Texas State Archives, No restrictions
The Balmorhea State Park camping area near Balmorhea, Texas, United States.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0

Camping

There are 34 campsites, with back-in and pull-through sites with electricity. Or stay at the San Solomon Springs Courts, retro motel-style rooms built by the CCC.

Site typeSitesSleepsPer night
Campsites with Electricity (Back-In)Water and electric188$20
Campsites with Electricity (Pull-Through)Water and electric158$30
Group CampsiteGroup116$35
Lodge Room | One-Bed SuiteLodging52$135
Lodge Room | Two-Bed SuiteLodging44$155
Lodge Room | Two-Bed Suite with Trundle BedLodging26$175
Lodge Room | Queen RoomLodging12$125

Nightly rates are on top of the daily entrance fee. Book a site with Texas State Parks reservations, or call (512) 389-8900.

Visiting with dogs

Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Like every Texas state park, they can't go into park buildings or designated swimming areas.

Pets are not allowed in the fenced pool area.

Park rules as stated by TPWD

Swimming

The pool is open daily, and swimmers pay only the park entry fee. There is no lifeguard, and swimmers under 15 must be supervised by an adult over 17. You can also scuba or skin dive. Pets are not allowed in the fenced pool area.

Best time to go

Busy season
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and other holidays
Night sky
Bortle 4

TPWD lists Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, plus holidays, as the busy season. From May to September days are warm and nights are cool, so bring a light jacket. You'll be asked to wait until your reservation's entry time.

Averages and busy season from TPWD. The Bortle scale runs from 1 (darkest sky) to 9 (inner city).

Getting there

9207 TX-17
Toyahvale, TX 79786
(432) 375-2370

Open in OpenStreetMap (30.9450, -103.7867)

From the nearest cities in this guide
FromApprox. driveStraight line
Midland2 hr 33 min124 mi
El Paso3 hr 20 min168 mi
Lubbock4 hr 32 min212 mi
San Antonio5 hr 56 min330 mi
Amarillo6 hr 32 min315 mi
Austin6 hr 45 min361 mi
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Nearby parks

  1. Davis Mountains State Park25 miles away. $6 per adult, kids 12 and under free.
  2. Indian Lodge26 miles away. Free entry. Swimming allowed.
  3. Monahans Sandhills State Park74 miles away. $4 per adult, kids 12 and under free.
  4. Chinati Mountains State Natural Area87 miles away.
  5. Fort Leaton State Historic Site102 miles away. $5 per adult, kids 12 and under free.

Straight-line distance. See every park in the Big Bend Country.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to swim at Balmorhea State Park?

Swimming is included in the park entry fee: $7 per adult, and kids 12 and under get in free.

Do I need a reservation for Balmorhea?

TPWD says the park often reaches capacity and highly recommends reserving a day pass. Passes are for set entry times, and early entry isn't allowed.

How deep is the Balmorhea pool?

Up to 25 feet. It covers 1.3 acres and holds 3.5 million gallons of spring water.

Photo credits

Sources

Last checked October 14, 2026. Fees, hours and rules change; the official TPWD page for Balmorhea has current alerts and closures.

  1. TPWD: Balmorhea State Park, retrieved October 14, 2026
  2. TPWD state parks map (amenities, contact), retrieved October 14, 2026
  3. TPWD GIS: Texas State Parks Public Areas, retrieved October 14, 2026
  4. TPWD: Bortle ratings by region, retrieved October 14, 2026
  5. TPWD: Balmorhea State Park campsites, retrieved October 14, 2026
  6. TPWD: Balmorhea State Park cabins and lodging, retrieved October 14, 2026
  7. TPWD: Balmorhea State Park history, retrieved October 14, 2026
  8. TPWD: state park rules (pets, swimming), retrieved October 14, 2026
  9. TPWD GIS: Texas State Parks Boundaries (area computed from boundary), retrieved October 14, 2026
  10. Wikipedia: List of Texas state parks, retrieved October 14, 2026
  11. OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data (approximate drive times), retrieved October 14, 2026
  12. Wikimedia Commons (photos), retrieved October 14, 2026