Operational Changes to Improve Visitor Experience at Balmorhea State Park

Steve Lightfoot, 512-389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.texas.gov

News Image Share on Facebook Share Release URL

Note: This item is more than eight years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.

AUSTIN – In response to recent concerns about traffic backups and the resulting safety issues that it presents for park visitors at Balmorhea State Park, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is implementing operational changes to better serve guests at the park, site of the world’s largest spring fed swimming pool.

During peak visitation periods, park users will be allowed to enter the site and park vehicles before proceeding to the park headquarters to pay entry fees. This change should eliminate the lines of vehicles currently waiting to enter the park on busy weekends.

The park will also be partnering with Reeves County to create an additional parking area on county property adjacent to the park, further increasing the capacity of the site to accommodate the growing number of users at this popular park.

“The safety and enjoyment of park visitors is extremely important to us and these actions will improve our operations in these areas,” said TPWD State Parks Division Director Brent Leisure. “However, this is only a first step in improving the visitor experience and we will continue to look at all options to ensure the park is the best it can be. We are very thankful for the support of Reeves County in addressing the needs of Balmorhea State Park and I want to commend the commissioners court for taking an action that will not only benefit the local residents, but visitors from all across the region and state.”

Since its opening in 1940, Balmorhea State Park has been a destination for those seeking water based recreation in West Texas. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at a site where the San Solomon Springs has provided water for humans and animals for thousands of years, the park has long been a destination for those seeking water and respite from the West Texas heat.

Today, the once isolated park has seen its visitation grow by nearly 80 percent in just five years, meaning long waits for swimmers seeking access to the 46 acre park and swamping the original pool parking lot that was designed to hold about 100 cars.

Long term solutions may include expansion of the park’s registration area to speed check-in, partnering with local businesses to provide remote parking lots and working with the Texas Department of Transportation to improve highway safety and access to the park.

State park officials would also like to extend the hours of operation for the pool at Balmorhea, but are currently limited by a lack of available personnel.

“The park has about a half-dozen vacant jobs that lack applicants, despite months of recruitment,” added Leisure. “Staff members from other West Texas parks have been brought in to assist on a temporary basis, but this is also a busy time of year for our other parks, such as Davis Mountains State Park in neighboring Jeff Davis County.”

More information about Balmorhea State Park is available online at http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea.