Balmorhea State Park
- Soaking temperature
- 72-76°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
the soaking pool runs 72 to 76°F at Balmorhea State Park, a developed hot spring in Reeves County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Balmorhea State Park).
Closures and warnings
No lifeguards. Pool steps are slippery. Swimming not allowed in the canals. Soft inflatable floats only, max 8 ft by 4 ft. Children 14 and under need adult supervision. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Developed |
|---|---|
| Soaking temperature | 72-76°F |
| Pools | 1 |
| Soakable | Yes |
| Soaking allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Spring |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | Mild |
| Lifeguards | No lifeguard on duty; swim at your own risk. |
| Water clarity | TPWD: more than 15 million gallons/day from San Solomon Springs; pool up to 25 ft deep, 1.3 acres. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Park parking at Balmorhea State Park; pick up pool wristbands at headquarters before entering the pool. |
| When it fills | Park frequently reaches capacity on weekends, holidays, school breaks, and summer weekdays; buy day passes online in advance. |
| Fee | $7 adult day-use (13+); children 12 and under free; scuba divers also pay $5 dive fee |
| Hours | Park/pool 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first; restrooms close 30 minutes before closing |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Day passes strongly recommended online (8 a.m. or 3 p.m. entry windows); capacity about 650 visitors/day |
| Day-use cap | 650 |
| Managed by | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Balmorhea State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Shade | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | CCC-built spring-fed pool, bathhouses, historic San Solomon Courts motel, camping, park store. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Balmorhea State Park open?
No lifeguards. Pool steps are slippery. Swimming not allowed in the canals. Soft inflatable floats only, max 8 ft by 4 ft. Children 14 and under need adult supervision. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Park/pool 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first; restrooms close 30 minutes before closing.
How hot is Balmorhea State Park?
The soaking pool runs 72 to 76°F. There is 1 pool.
Can you soak at Balmorhea State Park?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Balmorhea State Park. A mild current is reported here. Lifeguards: No lifeguard on duty; swim at your own risk.
How do you get to Balmorhea State Park?
The road in is paved. Parking: Park parking at Balmorhea State Park; pick up pool wristbands at headquarters before entering the pool. Park frequently reaches capacity on weekends, holidays, school breaks, and summer weekdays; buy day passes online in advance.
Do you need a reservation for Balmorhea State Park?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Day passes strongly recommended online (8 a.m. or 3 p.m. entry windows); capacity about 650 visitors/day.
Is Balmorhea State Park free?
The fee is $7 adult day-use (13+); children 12 and under free; scuba divers also pay $5 dive fee.
What facilities are at Balmorhea State Park?
Restrooms, showers, shade structures, and picnic sites. CCC-built spring-fed pool, bathhouses, historic San Solomon Courts motel, camping, park store.
Sources
4
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName, access.fee, hotSpring.soakingTempF, swimmerNotes.waterClarityNote / typicalDepthFt max 25, rules.dogs, access.amenities / rules.camping)
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea/balmorhea-faqs (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours / pool hours, swimmerNotes.waterType / entryType / current / parkingPattern)
- https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/balmorhea-state-park/TX/1200011/71950/day-pass-booking (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.permitRequired / reservationWindow / dayUseCap, hazardNote / lifeguardSeason / swimmingAllowed)
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea/fees-facilities/pool (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee scuba $5 / hotSpring.poolCount)
More: Texas hot springs