Balmorhea State Park in Texas, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Balmorhea State Park centers on the San Solomon Springs pool at Toyahvale in West Texas. Visitors swim or snorkel in spring water above a living aquatic habitat, while scuba divers follow additional entry and certification rules. Reserve a day pass before a busy visit: the park can reach capacity even when the pool is open.

A spring-fed pool in desert country

• Swim above the springs: The pool reaches 25 feet deep and normally stays between 72°F and 76°F throughout the year.
• Restored desert wetlands: The cienegas provide a separate place to observe the spring-fed ecosystem.
• CCC buildings: The pool and historic San Solomon Springs Courts connect a visit with 1930s park construction.

Pool access needs planning

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Deep water without lifeguards

No lifeguard is on duty. Swimmers younger than 15 must remain under the supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or another responsible adult older than 17. Scuba divers must meet the park’s certification, buddy-system, and sign-in requirements; read the swimming and diving rules before bringing dive equipment.

Follow the park’s statewide screwworm alert for pets and wildlife. Report animals with suspicious wounds or maggots to park staff; do not move a pet with those signs before receiving veterinary or animal-health guidance.

Protect the aquatic habitat

Do not feed, catch, or handle fish and turtles. Fishing equipment and glass containers are not allowed in the pool area. Pets may use other day-use areas on a leash but cannot enter the fenced pool area or be left unattended.

Book the right entry time

Day passes are strongly recommended for summer, weekends, holidays, and school breaks. Stop at headquarters for your pool wristband, and arrive for the entry slot you purchased. Divers and instructors should reserve day passes in advance. Campsites and motel-style rooms use separate overnight bookings. Arrange your overnight reservation before traveling. For late-day booking or arrival help, call the park office at 432-375-2370 before its 4:30 p.m. closing time. Follow the booking link on the park page or call the reservation center at 512-389-8900.

Arrive at Toyahvale

The park is at 9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, TX 79786. Use the official park page and map links for the entrance and facilities. Follow staff directions for overflow parking; the park FAQ prohibits parking on the highway.

Nearby parks and historic sites

• Davis Mountains State Park: This mountain park near Fort Davis is an option for a separate hiking or camping visit along the regional road route.
• Fort Davis National Historic Site: The preserved military post is in Fort Davis, with its own entrance on Lieutenant Flipper Drive. Treat it as a separate historic-site visit.

Swim, snorkel, or explore the wetlands

Choose swimming or snorkeling for a pool visit, or organize a scuba session under the park’s diving rules. Away from the pool, observe the restored cienegas and look for birds. Ranger programs explain the park’s history and natural setting; check the event schedule rather than assuming a program runs on your visit date.

Camping, lodging, and day-use services

The park offers 34 campsites and motel-style rooms at San Solomon Springs Courts. Day-use facilities include picnic sites, a playground, a park store, and restrooms. A group hall can be rented separately. Confirm a specific room, campsite, or pool-access feature with staff if your visit depends on it.

Water and conservation at San Solomon Springs

Civilian Conservation Corps construction

The CCC built the pool, bathhouses, lodging, and much of the park infrastructure in the 1930s. Pool construction displaced the original cienega; two constructed wetlands now support the spring-dependent ecosystem.

Endangered fish and wetland habitat

The wetlands support Pecos gambusia and Comanche Springs pupfish, both endangered desert fish. Spring water also supports aquatic plants, resident birds, and seasonal waterfowl. The park’s nature guide explains why the wetlands matter beyond their role in a swimming destination.

Contact Balmorhea State Park

Call 432-375-2370 or email [email protected] for park questions. Contact Texas State Parks reservations separately for day passes and overnight bookings.