The spring-fed swimming pool and day-use area at Balmorhea State Park are open.
Do I need reservations?
The park frequently reaches capacity on weekends, holidays, school breaks, and summer weekdays. Guarantee entry by purchasing day passes online before you drive to the park. You will only be able to purchase passes at the park if we haven't reached our capacity limit. You must stop by park headquarters to pick up your wristband to enter the pool.
What are the pool hours?
The pool and day-use areas will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first. Restrooms close 30 minutes before the park closes. Visitors who purchase passes for the 8 a.m. entry may stay until the park closes. Visitors who purchase passes for the 3 p.m. entry can enter the park at 3 p.m. and stay until closing.
What park rules do we need to know?
Adults must wear wristbands.
Grilling is permitted only in the day-use picnic area.
Shade canopies are allowed in the pool area, but tents are not.
Pets are not allowed in the pool area, but are welcome in other day-use areas. Pets must always be on a leash and may not be left unattended anywhere in the park.
Consumption or display of alcohol is not allowed in the pool or day-use areas. That means it's not allowed in the park at this time, as only those areas are open.
You may bring food into the pool area, but no glass containers are allowed.
Floats are allowed, but they must be soft-sided, inflatable, and no larger than 8 feet by 4 feet.
Paddles, oars and motorized devices of any kind are not allowed in the pool.
You will be directed to park in the pool parking area until it is full. Once the pool parking area is full, you'll be directed to park on the adjacent county road and enter the park through the side gate.
You may not park your vehicle on the highway. (DPS will write tickets if you park there.)
Can I catch fish in the pool? Can I feed the turtles?
Feeding or catching fishes and other wildlife is prohibited at Balmorhea State Park. Bread and other human foods are unhealthy for turtles and fishes. It fills their bellies and then they are not hungry enough to search for the natural food that keeps them healthy.
Nets and other fishing gear are not allowed at the pool.
Help protect the animals that everyone loves to swim with by not feeding or catching them and by alerting park staff if you see others doing so.
