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4.2
33 votes

Balmorhea State Park Campground

State Hwy 17, Texas 79786 USA

$
Budget
Open Now
Thu 8a-8p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“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!

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Reviews of Balmorhea State Park Campground

33 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.4 Access
3.7 Location
3.9 Cleanliness
3.9 Site Quality
4.5 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G

Confirmed by 11 users | Last reported on July 05, 2022

AT&T 4G

Confirmed by 5 users | Last reported on January 31, 2017
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Reviewed by
bigcomfy

  • 2 Reviews
  • 5 Helpful
February 02, 2014
Rated

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
  • 32 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
Rated

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

1 person found this review helpful
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Reviewed by
Campendium

December 09, 2014
Rated

If you're on I-10 in the middle of west Texas, this is a great place to spend the night. It's a bit off the main road but still easy to access. It's big rig friendly with many pull through sites, nice grounds with shade structures at each site and the sites were level. Also good for pets as everything is paved, no dirt or thorns. There is a large spring fed "lake" where you can swim or scuba in warm weather. There are no cable channels and limited cell and wi-fi with Verizon. My only dig is that the camping was actually only $14 but since there were 2 of us, they charged us a day fee of $7 each and we got there at 4 pm so never got to use many of the facilities.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $28.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 32

5 Access
5 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

December 10, 2014
Rated

Making the long drive back from Austin across Texas to El Paso on Interstate 10, we wanted a couple of stops along the way and this place fit the bill.

This is actually a really lovely spot. Clear skies, quiet and a nice desert feel. There is a wonderful serenity here. The park includes one of the largest spring fed swimming holes in the world. The swimming looked beautiful. Unfortunately we were there during a very cold spell and decided not to brave the water. There is nothing near here so bring groceries with you.

Like all Texas state parks, drinking alcohol outside is against the rules. I hate this Nanny approach, as I like a beer sitting by the fire. We didn't see the rule enforced, but I don't like having to hide my drink like a naughty schoolchild.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $14.00

Days Stayed: 4

Site Number: 13

4 Access
3 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

AT&T 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

January 11, 2015
Rated

The draw to Balmorhea SP is the huge spring fed pool. We arrived on a very cool November day thus did not test it out. This park is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. So visit with plenty of food and gas.

The park offers cable TV for an additional $3 fee. You won't receive any TV via an antenna.

We purchased the seasonal pass for $70 which then includes the daily fee and we only paid the $14 for our campsite.

Was this helpful?
This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $14.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: -

3 Access
3 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Balmorhea State Park Campground

State Hwy 17
Texas
79786 USA
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Hours

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

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  • Check
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Back In RV Sites Count
40
Last Nightly Rate
28.0
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
35.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
0.0
Max Length
45 ft
Max Stay
14
Pull Through RV Sites Count
12
Sites Count
33
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    Swimming Pool
  • Check
    Paved Sites
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    Fifty Amp
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Check
    Rec Facilities
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    Pull Through
  • Check
    Tent Sites
  • Check
    Dump Station
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    Big Rigs
  • Unavailable
    Open Seasonally
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
  • Check
    Back In RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
  • Unavailable
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
  • Check
    Permit Required
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    Potable Water
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Check
    Public Water
  • Check
    Pull Through RV Sites
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    Reservations
  • Unavailable
    Sewer Hookup
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    Showers
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    Sites
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    Standard Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Vehicle Wash Permitted
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    Water Hookup
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