Park Spotlight

Take a Dip in the Desert

Balmorhea State Park's spring-fed pool is a West Texas oasis.

By Morgan O'Hanlon

July 2025 Issue

Balmorhea pool — Photo by Sonja Sommerfeld

With the closest supermarket in Fort Stockton, nearly an hour away, the little town of Balmorhea is just a blip on the map for less-aware travelers. But its main attraction, the pool in Balmorhea State Park, manages to lure a crowd from far and wide. More than 200,000 people visit the park each year. And it's no wonder why. The refreshing spring water that feeds the pool is a respite from the hot and dry climate of the Chihuahuan Desert. Once they're there, passers-through discover the treasures that make the state park truly exceptional — birds, fish and comfortable accommodations galore.

San Solomon Springs, the largest in a series of interconnected springs in the Balmorhea area, feeds the pool and flows at a rate of about 15 million gallons per day.

The park's restored ciénegas, or desert wetlands, are home to endangered fish and other wildlife.

Thankfully, it's not a mirage. Whether Balmorhea State Park is the main attraction of your trip, or a stop on your way to Big Bend, Marfa or El Paso, you're sure to be enchanted — the same way people have been for thousands of years.

By the Numbers

Size: 751 acres

Closest Town: Balmorhea

Year Opened: 1935-40

Busy Season: Spring and summer

Fun Fact: The name Balmorhea is a portmanteau of the surnames — Balcum, Morrow and Rhea — of the land developers who were responsible for laying out the modern townsite in 1906.

Overnight Stays

Historic Motor Court

The historic motel-style rooms at Balmorhea were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. The original design catered to the post-war boom in family road-tripping, fueled by increased car ownership and the expansion of the interstate highway system. The carports have since been converted into bathrooms attached to each of the rooms.

In 2016, the park began roof repairs that ultimately cascaded into a top-to-bottom revamp of the motor court. The renovations included refinished flooring, the addition of two ADA-accessible rooms and new infrastructure including plumbing. The motor court reopened just last summer so the rooms are fresh and new! During your stay in one of the rooms, keep an eye out for both original CCC furniture and replicas. You can tell originals from replicas by looking for a “TSPB” logo carved into the wood of dressers and chairs.

Pitch a Tent or Bring Your Trailer

Whether you prefer to spend the night out under the stars or enjoy the comfort of a mattress in your trailer, Balmorhea State Park has you covered with 23 campsites — all of which include electric hookups and water. Two of the campsites are ADA-accessible.

Selfie Spots

High Dive

The high dive is Assistant Superintendent Tara Fattouh's favorite spot in the park to watch the sunset. Go for a dive, and have someone take your picture with the bright colors of the sky behind you!

Ciénega Overlook

What's a ciénega? It's a wetland system unique to the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. These wetlands often provide the only water for miles out in the desert — thus, they attract plentiful birds, snakes, lizards and other wildlife — in addition to providing a home for fish and turtles. At the overlook, you can look down into the ciénega restored by researchers in the 1990s. Go in the evening for an extra-beautiful background featuring the West Texas sunset.

Wildlife

Vermilion Flycatcher

See that spark of red flying over the blue water of the ciénega? It's probably a vermilion flycatcher. This bird is known for the bright red belly and head that stand out against its dark brown wings and the Zorro mask painted across its face. This species is attracted to riparian environments, and bird-watchers can see it there year-round.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

The Texas spiny softshell, one of five softshell turtle species found in Texas, lives in the Rio Grande and Pecos drainages. How did it find its way out to this desert oasis? Turtles will often travel considerable distances over land in search of nesting sites upon reaching maturity.

Headwater Catfish

This subspecies of catfish closely resembles and is closely related to the channel catfish, but it is smaller and lacks spots. It is found in northeastern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Look for it swimming at the bottom of the pool near the diving board.

Plan Your State Park Visit

Balmorhea night sky — Courtesy Stephen Hummel | Mcdonald Observatory

Stargaze

Balmorhea State Park is located within the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. It spans over 15,000 square miles in Texas and Mexico, making it the largest Dark Sky Certified place in the world. So, pull up a chair, or grab your camera, for some intense night sky viewing.

Take a dip

The 1.3-acre, spring-fed pool is the main attraction at this desert oasis. There's a 3-foot-deep shallow end for splashing around, and a deeper section that plunges 25 feet below the surface. You can even show off your skills on the diving board if you're itching for a thrill. The water temperature stays between 72 to 76 degrees year-round, so you can enjoy the crystal-clear waters whether it's August or December.

Bird-watch

Shorebirds like sandpipers, gulls, pelicans, egrets and even the rare black rail find homes in Galveston Island State Park. Whether you're an avid birder or a more casual fan, seeing a shorebird dive into a marsh or fly overhead is a special experience.

Scuba dive

The deep pool attracts scuba divers from Texas, New Mexico and beyond. The clear water offers great visibility. The altitude of Balmorhea — 3,200 feet above sea level — allows divers-in-training to earn altitude dive certification here.

Attend a Ranger Program or Special Event

Whether you want some guidance identifying birds, looking for constellations, understanding CCC history or maybe even getting creative — a ranger is here to help! The park posts about regular interpretive programming and special events on its Facebook page.

Pro Packing List

Aside from the necessities, these items can make your trip to Balmorhea State Park even more enjoyable.

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