Balmorhea State Park RV & Campground Guide
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For over 80 years, people have been going to Balmorhea State Park near Balmorhea, Texas, to escape the summer heat in the park's spring-fed swimming pool, which holds more than 3.5 million gallons of water. Construction of the pool was completed in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is fed by the San Solomon Springs. The pool stays at 72 to 76 degrees year-round, covers 1.3 acres, and is home to several fish and turtle species. The park is also a terrific place to snorkel with the aquatic life and explore desert wetlands. Nearby attractions include McDonald's Observatory, Fort Davis National Historic Site, and the West of the Pecos Museum. Nearby cities: Pecos, Texas Fort Davis, Texas Fort Stockton, Texas Van Horn, Texas
Spring 50-75 F
Summer 75-95 F
Fall 60-70 F
Winter 40-60 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Balmorhea State Park
Balmorhea State Park Campground Water hookup: Yes Electrical hookup: Yes Sewer hookup: No Wi-Fi: No Pet-friendly: Yes Max RV length: 45 feet Other amenities: Dump station, shower house
Balmorhea State Park Campground
This small park features 33 sites, each with water and electric hookups. Fifteen sites also come with cable TV. Every site includes a private picnic table, and there are restrooms inside the park. You’ll pay $20 per night for cable TV sites and $15 per night without it. Keep in mind that this fee doesn’t include the per-person entrance fee for the state park.
Saddleback Mountain RV
Saddleback Mountain RV is the closest campground to Balmorhea State Park. Enjoy views of the mountains from your site. The nature trail is a great way to get out into the wild Texas landscape. A gas station, restaurant and bar sit just a few steps away, so you can enjoy a meal and a cocktail without driving. Clean up at the on-site laundry after a day at Balmorhea State Park, which is just 10 miles away. This park sits just off Interstate 10 to ensure easy access. Sites are $20 per night.
Overland Trail Campground
Park your RV under the trees at Overland Trail Campground, a picturesque spot located in the mountains about 40 minutes south of Balmorhea State Park. If you’re thinking of visiting the historic sites around Fort Davis, this place makes an excellent home base. The high elevation means that temperatures are also cooler than in the lower-lying desert. This campground offers something for every RV. Pull-through sites are perfect for big rigs, and the laundromat and showers keep bigger groups comfortable. Fire circles, iconic areas and a camp kitchen round out the full-service experience. RV sites here come with full hookups and high-speed Wi-Fi. Rates start at $29.50 per night, and there’s an extra fee if you need 50-amp service.
Lost Alaskan RV Park
Located about an hour from Balmorhea State Park, this RV park is a central option for day trips to Fort Davis and the Big Bend area. Sites here offer spectacular mountain views and plenty of shade as well as wide roads with plenty of room for big rigs. A quick walk from your RV, you can enjoy the swimming pool, playground and rec room. A small gift shop in the park office stocks snacks and souvenirs. With the bathrooms and laundry, you’ll have everything you need to stay comfortable on both long and short trips. All RV sites come with full hookups. Regular 50-amp sites start at $37.95 per night, and 30-amp sites are $33.95. The park also offers nicer premier sites for a small additional fee.
What to Do at
Balmorhea State Park
Swimming in Balmorhea State Park's spring-fed pool is the main attraction at this destination. You can wade in the shallower areas near the shore or snorkel in 25-foot-deep crystal-clear water to see the park's fishes and turtles. You can also explore the desert wetlands created to preserve local birds and other wildlife on land. Additionally, you can attend ranger programs to learn about the history and natural habitat of the park. You may want to borrow a Junior Ranger Explorer Pack from the park office if there are kids in your group. They can even earn a Junior Ranger patch for competing activities in the park.
Inside Balmorhea State Park
The natural pool is the major attraction at Balmorhea State Park, so you can spend your days swimming in the waters or bring your scuba gear and explore the depths. Keep in mind that if you’re diving, you’ll need to be certified and have at least one other certified diver with you. Skin diving and bird-watching are also popular activities in the park. Nearby, a well-maintained picnic area makes for a great place to relax in the shade. During the summer, park rangers offer a full schedule of events to teach visitors about the natural features and the area’s fascinating history.
Geocaching
There is one geocache at Balmorhea State Park. You can download the Geocaching app on your smartphone to locate it. Once you have found the container, you can trade a family-friendly item you have brought along for one inside and sign the logbook. You can then register your find on the Geocaching.com website.
Stargazing
Balmorhea State Park is far from cities, and light pollution is minimal, which makes it an excellent place to enjoy an evening of stargazing. Local astronomy groups sometimes host stargazing parties at Balmorhea State Park. Even if there is no party, campers can bring their telescopes or just lay on a blanket and gaze at the night sky.
Flora and Fauna
If you scuba dive in the pool, you can get a close look at endangered desert aquatic life, such as Pecos gambusia and Comanche Springs pupfishes, which only live in this area of Texas. You may also see catfish and painted turtles. On land, you may encounter white-tailed deer, javelina, squirrels, lizards, and dragonflies. The squirrels in this park are unique because they live in tunnels or burrows in the ground instead of living in trees. The best time to watch for the larger mammals is in the early morning or evening when they are more active and travel to the water for a drink.
Cattails, rushes, and reeds grow in the desert wetlands where the park's pool drains. This area is a fantastic spot for birders to see colorful songbirds in summer and waterfowl during colder months.
Hiking
The 1.1-mile loop around the swimming hole takes you close to the wetland restoration area. It is an easy stroll perfect for stretching your legs after arriving at the park.
Swimming
There is no extra fee to swim in the park's unique spring-fed pool. The water is always fresh and clear because more than 15 million gallons of water flow through it daily. There is no lifeguard on duty, and an adult must supervise swimmers under the age of 15 at all times.
How to Get to
Balmorhea State Park
Balmorhea State Park is about an eight-minute drive from Balmorhea, Texas. From the city, travel on Texas Route 17 south and then take a left onto Texas Park Road 30. You will see the park almost immediately on your right.
By Car
Entering Balmorhea State Park
There is a large parking lot for visitors.
Balmorhea State Park Admission : $7.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Balmorhea State Park
Summer is the perfect time to visit Balmorhea State Park because you can swim in the spring-fed swimming hole, which contains more than 3.5 million gallons of water. In addition, the path around the swimming hole is a terrific place for a summer hike. Since it seldom rains at this location in the summer, conditions are ideal for a picnic and stargazing in the cooler evenings.
In October, orange-and-black Monarch butterflies travel through the park on their way to Mexico for the winter, and visitors can spot over 15 species of hummingbirds in the spring. Around the water, you may see turtles and lizards bathing in the sun and the occasional deer or javelina coming in for a drink. Birders can head to the desert wetland areas to add several bird species to their birding journals.
The Balmorhea State Park Campground has 33 sites with water and electric hookups. Each camping spot has a grill and picnic table, and some have a shade shelter. The shower house is nearby, and a dump station is available.
Reservations are not required at Balmorhea State Park, but the park recommends that you make one to ensure you get a spot, especially in summer. There is no fee to reserve a space, and it costs $20 a night to stay at the park.
Pets on a leash are allowed at Balmorhea State Park, but they cannot enter any building or the swimming area. The park asks that you clean up after your furry family members.
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