Remove Ads
4.3
30 votes

Balmorhea State Park Campground

State Hwy 17, Texas 79786 USA

$
$$$$
Budget
Open Now
Fri 8a-8p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
Add to Trip
Remove Ads

“The World's Largest Spring-fed Pool!”

We all know that "everything is bigger in Texas", but the old saying often proves to be even more true than you might expect. It's not just about big cowboy hats, big hair and giant steaks... you can even find the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool in the Lone Star State at Balmorhea State Park. The pool itself is 1.75 acres big and holds 3.5 million gallons of water-- so it's definitely Texas-sized! It's fed by the San Solomon Springs, which pump 15 million gallons of fresh, pure spring water into the pool every day-- so it's all natural and totally not chlorinated. The pool is up to 25 feet deep in some places, which makes it perfect for snorkeling or skin and scuba diving, if a casual dip in the more shallow parts or doing jack knifes off the diving board isn't quite doing it for you. Plus, since the water stays around 72 to 76 degrees naturally, it's refreshingly cool during the hot summers, but not so cold that you have to worry about it being so frigid that you can't jump right in. The springs have been important to the people of West Texas for years: the Mescalero Apaches watered their horses there, and farmers used it to irrigate their farmlands during the 1800's. The massive pool was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the organization that employed young men to help rebuild parks and roads when jobs were scarce during the Great Depression. There's a canal that guides the water through the pool and then downstream to Balmorhea Lake, which is about three and a half miles away, watering alfalfa and cotton crops along the way. The park is also home to cienegas (desert wetlands from the spring) which are the perfect habitat for some rare plants and wildlife that you won't find many other places in the world. The park has campsites, if you want to make a weekend of your trip to the pool, as well as a retro, 1930's-inspired motor lodge, San Solomon Springs Court. But, no matter where you stay, Balmorhea is the perfect West Texas weekend getaway!

Read More >
Add Review
Thanks!
Your Rating
1
2
3
4
5

Reviewed by
bigcomfy

  • 2 Reviews
  • 5 Helpful
February 02, 2014

If you're in the area, stop in for a quick dip in the pool. Yes, it will cost you 10bucks per car, but it really is a special place in the middle of nowhere.

5 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Jim Thomas

  • Road Warrior
  • 72 Reviews
  • 30 Helpful
March 11, 2015
Rated 5.0

Really clear blue water. It is hard to believe it is really that deep. It was a little cool for swimming but we will plan a trip to come back here.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Cara Ricci

  • 9 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
March 16, 2019
Rated 5.0

Spring fed - 25 ft depth. Constant 72 to 76 degrees. They have diving boards. One side is deeper than other. No dogs allowed. Visit site for more details, but you do pay fee to get in (worth it).

Did a quick scuba dip here. Air across the road. Crystal clear water (until other in training divers mucked up bottom - though it clears up at a good pace). We found some of the springs feeding it - it was like watching a pot of water boil but with gravel bubbling instead of the water. Super cool. Lots of little fishies that are not timid. Think they get fed by people. They definitely liked my gopro - if I held still they'd try to nibble on my fingers. Not painful, but quite shocking at first. Little buggers.

Worth it for just a quick swim too (don't worry, fishies only hung out on bottom and left non-divers alone).

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
DavidAylward

  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
August 25, 2018
Rated 5.0

This place is literally in the middle of nowhere. It's strange to find such a unique and extraordinary pool here. Make sure to reserve a spot to stay as it was sold out on the random night that I appeared and there's nowhere else to stay in the area. Oh, and bring your snorkeling gear - you won't regret it!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
shabril

  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
December 15, 2017
Rated 5.0

My daughter loves to swim and also loves all critters so this was a perfect stop for her. She was bummed she didn’t bring her swimsuit but she still had a great time looking at the soft shell turtles, fish and ducks. We will definitely come back better prepared and in slightly warmer weather so she can fully enjoy.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Nick Porter

  • Road Warrior
  • 30 Reviews
  • 15 Helpful
August 30, 2014
Rated 5.0

scuba camping? loved it. big for a spring fed pool. don't expect a lake.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
simon.keir

  • 3 Reviews
  • 5 Helpful
August 19, 2013

this is an awesome and quaint camp site - the pool is beautiful - 100% recommended

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
MAGIZ

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
February 12, 2022

No camping here. I hope that now that this roadtrippers is supposedly connected to campendium that they synch it.

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
Amanda Tullos

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
September 21, 2021
Rated 5.0

This is the best and most relaxing place in Texas! Snorkeling is fantastic and even in the winter!

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
allankimmett

  • 7 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
June 10, 2019
Rated 3.0

I wish they didn’t make it look like a big swimming pool. Doesn’t really have that state park feel at all.

Was this helpful?

Be the first to add a review to the Balmorhea State Park Campground.

Balmorhea State Park Campground

State Hwy 17
Texas
79786 USA
Remove Ads

Hours

Open now until 8:00 pm
  • Sun - Sat: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know.

Remove Ads
  • Parking
  • Pets Allowed
  • Restrooms
  • Wifi
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Back In RV Sites Count
40
Lowest Nightly Rate
18
Max Length
45 ft
Max Stay
14
Pull Through RV Sites Count
12
Sites Count
33
  • Swimming Pool
  • Paved Sites
  • Fifty Amp
  • Full Hookup
  • Rec Facilities
  • Pull Through
  • Tent Sites
  • Dump Station
  • Big Rigs
  • Age Restricted
  • Back In RV Sites
  • Boondock
  • Cabin Sites
  • Dispersed Sites
  • Firewood
  • Fulltime Residents
  • Group Tent Sites
  • Laundry
  • Mobile Homes
  • Open Seasonally
  • Permit Required
  • Potable Water
  • Propane
  • Public Water
  • Pull Through RV Sites
  • Reservations
  • Sewer Hookup
  • Showers
  • Sites
  • Standard Tent Sites
  • Vehicle Wash Permitted
  • Water Hookup
See More Details (59)

Campground, Parking, Restrooms

Remove Ads

Nearby Hotels

Balmorhea, Texas
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Fort Davis, Texas
Balmorhea, Texas
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Fort Davis, Texas
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Texas
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Remove Ads

Related Trip Guides

Remove Ads
23152