Balmorhea, Texas
I was advised of this park while at Monahans, and since I wasn’t really sticking to a schedule I decided to stop by. This is another cool park, especially in West Texas. San Salomon Spring is fed from natural springs that originate in an aquifer a few hundred miles north of the park. Because it is free-flowing groundwater, it stays in the low 70s round. It is getting close to the start of the Texas winter, and even 72-74 degrees water couldn’t bring out a lot of crowds. There is more to do here, including a few trails and some birding, but the highlight is the pool. It is crystal clear water, even in the deepest section which is 25 feet deep. For those of you who like to show off, there are several diving boards around the pool including a “high” dive board. I’d guess it to be around ten feet tall. There are multiple entry points in and out of the pool and they vary between ladders and steps. Because this is a natural pool and there are no added chemicals, the steps were super slippery with moss and algae. I stuck to the ladders after the first slip. Because it is a natural pool, there is both flora and fauna to be aware of. The entire bottom is covered in growth which supports the spring pupfish. These guys like to hang out in the shallower ends and seem to have a preference for the sunnier areas. There were also several ducks swimming around the pool with me when I went, but they minded their business and turned the other way any time I got near. There’s a decent-sized restroom with showers that would best be used for just a quick rinse-off, and I didn’t find that they were heated. That was a huge bummer because when you are soaking wet in 50-degree weather, you really want a warm room. Inside the pool area, there are tons of picnic tables and places to put your stuff and enjoy the weather on a nicer day. There are also campsites at this park, but I did not make it back to check them out. This was a super cool place to stop, and if you’re in the area and the weather is nice, or you aren’t afraid to get a little chilly, definitely stop by and take a dip!
Entrance Fee: $7/person
Campsites with Electricity: $20/night
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