West of San Antonio, an oasis is conveniently located along Interstate 10, headed to El Paso. Developed 1934, this pool is filled with natural spring water. Balmorhea Pool is 25 feet deep, covers 1.3 acres, and holds 3.5 million gallons of water that bubble up from the springs at the bottom. Balmorhea Pool has been a destination for generations and continues to draw people to this West Texas Oasis.
What to Do at Balmorhea Pool, an Oasis in West Texas
In total 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each day from the San Soloman Springs. With a constant temperature of 72F to 76F, swimmers congregate year-round.
Swimming, splashing, and even SCUBA are the top things to do at Balmorhea Pool. At the end of the L-shaped pool, the depths reach 25 feet and host SCUBA divers.
Peer closely and spot a school of giant catfish sitting on the bottom. Balmorhea pool also features a 3-meter diving board, though lifeguards are not on duty.
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Who Built the Balmorhea Pool
The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Balmorhea Pool starting in 1935 after the Texas State Park board acquired 46 acres at the San Soloman Springs.
Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1856 arrived in 1934 and worked until 1940. Part of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Program, the Civilian Conservation Corps worked on conservation projects across the U.S. like National Park and Texas State Parks.
The pool’s name is derived from four men who formed an irrigation company in the area. E.D. Balcom, H.R. Morrow, Joe Rhea and John Rhea became Bal-mor-hea.
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Balmorhea State Park
The pool offers a large area of 3-foot deep water, though no zero-entry options for toddlers. It is L-shaped and surrounded by a concrete deck. I found dressing rooms and lots of shade trees to spread out your blankets underneath.
Not only does Balmorhea State Park feature a pool, I found a covered pavilion, a playground, a campground and a motor lodge. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conversation Corps (CCC), the San Solomon Court features a white stucco exterior and most units overlook the spring-fed canals.
The campground features 33 sites with electricity and water. Some feature covered picnic tables. There are restrooms and hot showers in the camping area. RVers will find a dump station. There’s also a viewing platform over the San Soloman Springs.
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San Solomon Court
Completely renovated, the San Solomon Courts offers 12 lodge rooms with upgrades linens. The original CCC hardwood floors were refinished. The original CCC-fabricated furniture was also refinished.
Other upgrades include the electricity and plumbing in the park. There are rooms with one queen, two queens and a family room with two queen beds and a trundle bed.
Each room offers a covered patio with furniture. There is a mini fridge and a microwave in each room. There are grills close by too.
Located at Park Road 30, Balmorhea, Texas, about 58 miles from Ft. Stockton. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first. Adult admission is $7 for adults, and kids under 12 are free.
Know Before You Go
Day-use reservations recommended during the summer and busy holidays.
No cooking, pets, or glass containers in the pool area.
No grills or tents allowed in the pool area.
Pop-Ups and Pool Floats Allowed.
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