Balmorhea State Park

"This place really stands out on my list of things to do in West Texas. A must do!!!"

History: Balmorhea State Park is located on 45.9 acres in the foothills of the Davis Mountains southwest of Balmorhea in Reeves County. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1930s, the park was deeded in 1934 by private owners and Reeves County Water Improvement District No. 1. The park was opened in 1968.

San Solomon Springs has provided water for travelers for thousands of years. Artifacts indicate Indians used the spring extensively before white men came to the area. In 1849, the springs were called Mescalero Springs for the Mescalero Apache Indians who watered their horses along its banks. The present name was given by the first settlers, Mexican farmers who used the water for their crops and hand-dug the first irrigation canals.

Situated about four miles west of Balmorhea, Texas, the 45.9-acre Balmorhea State Park was constructed by Company 1856 of the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, between 1936 and 1941. The CCC was established as a New Deal program by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression as a way to employ people that would have otherwise been out of work. Many of the state parks in Texas were developed during this time.

The 77,053 square ft San Solomon Spring is the focal point of Balmorhea State Park. From 22 to 28 million gallons of water flow through the spring-fed swimming pool each day. Other CCC structures in the park include a limestone concession building, two wooden bathhouses, an adobe superintendent residence, and San Solomon Courts, an early expression of the modern-day motel, constructed of adobe bricks. All of the CCC buildings are constructed in a Spanish Colonial style with stucco exteriors and tile roofs.

Visitors to Balmorhea State Park can enjoy a swim in the CCC-constructed pool and, if staying overnight, may choose to relax in one of the historic rooms at San Solomon Courts. The lobby of the park office includes several photographs of the CCC at work in what is now Balmorhea State Park. When visiting the park, take time to see what the park property looked like in the late 1930s and what it looks like today. Balmorhea State Park is a substantial monument to the construction skills and hard work of the CCC crew and their supervisors.

On my most recent travel, I visited Balmorhea in mid November on a Saturday night and stayed through until Sunday night. The allure of a desert oasis with year round snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving and peaceful relaxation was too much for me to resist. I booked a room within the park which was less than a 30 second walk to the springs. The room was not only very clean and roomy but very comfortable and it was the most affordable in the area.

The bedroom had old thick wooden rafter beam type ceiling, two large beds, heavy iron and wooden furniture, a television and everything matched. The kitchen had a microwave, table, chairs, sink, refrigerator, sink and cooking space. Outside of the kitchen was a private balcony and sitting area. The bathroom was quite large too and had a comfort heater that came out of the ceiling.

Dinner was at a nearby restaurant called La Cueva De Osa which serves fresh authentic Mexican food, hot and fresh. I was very pleased with the food and service. It is very laid back and friendly.

You walk in to this place which looks like your walking into someone's house, order your food and it comes pretty fast and cheap...and its VERY good! Don't forget to leave a tip!

Sunday Morning I was up and heading down to the same restaurant to fill up before going to the spring.

I accessed the spring through an iron gate leading straight ahead by some shower rooms and bathrooms....through these arches....

and then I came to it....the gigantic fresh water chemical free crystal clear warm pool !!!

It stays around 76 degrees year round because its spring fed constantly. The water is so clean and so nice...but the best thing about this place is something that is a bit of a secret.....

<--You get to swim with fish who think they are your pets! Thousands of them! ITS SO FUN!!!!!

Bring a wetsuit or go in a swimsuit, it doesn't really matter...the fish will come to you and some even follow!

I took a french fry into the water and fed them...they fish kissed me all over!!! :-)

Then I got some more fries and they ate all my french fries! I got so many fish kisses too!

After they ate everything they proceeded to follow me as I swam and swam with me! The small fish, the big fish and the teeny ones too!

We swam together for a long time! A large catfish which got an entire french fry kept looking at my for another one.

I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a happy adventure! Maybe I'll see you there!