Picture a pristine swimming pool with sapphire waters, rare fish, and scuba diving. Visitors lounge in the shade of tall trees and swimmers delight in crystal-clear water. You can find all this and more at the largest spring-fed pool in Texas.
Chances are, you didn’t think western Texas could be the setting of such a place. And yet against all odds, this desert oasis can be found in the heart of the desert plains. Balmorhea State Park features the largest naturally-fed swimming pool in the world and with hot summer days ahead, you’ll want to plan your visit soon.
The picturesque Balmorhea State Park is located at 9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, TX 79786.
Google Maps
The park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and, ever since, has been a beloved attraction among locals and visitors alike.
Robert Hensley/flickr
The spring-fed swimming pool is by far the biggest draw to the park.
glg61/flickr
San Solomon Springs is the water source for this facility, bringing in nearly a million gallons of fresh water per day.
Angi English/flickr
As you wade into the refreshing waters, you’ll notice just how massive this two-acre pool is.
E/flickr
There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimmers are advised to use a buddy system. If you look closely, you can see the lighter blue waters make up an unofficial “kiddy pool” for younger swimmers.
Angi English/flickr
At its deepest, the pool reaches 25 feet and can accommodate all sorts of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving.
Erin/flickr
If you look carefully, you’ll be able to get an up-close look at some of your fellow swimmers!
John Knox/flickr
Whether you choose to dive, swim, float, or simply marvel at the surrounding natural beauty, your time at Balmohea State Park won’t soon be forgotten.
nealpage/flickr The park also includes an impressive campsite facility and opportunities to admire the unique wildlife of this high desert environment.
Admission to Balmorhea State Park in Texas is $7 per adult, and any certified scuba divers who wish to participate in night diving can pay an additional $5. For more information on the park as well as directions and hours, be sure to visit the official website. Have you seen the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool in person? Here are more of the coolest swimming holes in Texas you can visit for a refreshing dip.
Google Maps
Robert Hensley/flickr
glg61/flickr
Angi English/flickr
E/flickr
Erin/flickr
John Knox/flickr
nealpage/flickr
The park also includes an impressive campsite facility and opportunities to admire the unique wildlife of this high desert environment.
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Address: 9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, TX 79786
The OIYS Visitor Center
Largest Spring-Fed Pool In Texas April 23, 2021 Leah What other natural wonders in Texas should I visit? This giant spring-fed pool in Texas is certainly something to marvel over, but it’s not the only natural wonder you can marvel in the state. Texas is home to the second-largest canyon in the country, the Palo Duro Canyon. It’s the Lone Star State’s very own Grand Canyon, with stunning red canyon walls and impressive views you must see in person. The Devil’s Sinkhole in Rocksprings, Texas has an incredible view in person. The giant cave has a diameter of over 320 and runs 300 feet into the ground, making it the state’s largest single-chamber cavern. Not only that, but it also has the largest colony of a very specific type of bat that flies out of the cave at dusk in a spectacular sight. What are the best swimming holes in Texas? Looking for more places to cool off in the summer? This special swimming hole in Texas has you covered. The Hamilton Pool is one of the most unique and picturesque places to take a dip in the state. At one point, the whole thing was underground. After thousands of years of erosion, the dome of the former cave collapsed into the underground river below and now it’s an open swimming hole. There is a waterfall dropping into the jade-colored pool, so it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most popular destinations in Texas in the summer. Are there any other natural springs in Texas I can visit? This may be the largest, but it isn’t the only natural spring-fed pool in Texas. Krause Springs in Spicewood, Texas has several springs feeding into a refreshing pool that’s perfect for a hot summer day. The Barton Springs Pool in Austin, Texas is a favorite with locals, and for good reason. The natural waters are cold even on the hottest of days, and it has a variety of amenities - such as a diving board - that make it great to visit if you’re dying to swim in the summertime.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Largest Spring-Fed Pool In Texas
April 23, 2021
Leah
What other natural wonders in Texas should I visit? This giant spring-fed pool in Texas is certainly something to marvel over, but it’s not the only natural wonder you can marvel in the state. Texas is home to the second-largest canyon in the country, the Palo Duro Canyon. It’s the Lone Star State’s very own Grand Canyon, with stunning red canyon walls and impressive views you must see in person. The Devil’s Sinkhole in Rocksprings, Texas has an incredible view in person. The giant cave has a diameter of over 320 and runs 300 feet into the ground, making it the state’s largest single-chamber cavern. Not only that, but it also has the largest colony of a very specific type of bat that flies out of the cave at dusk in a spectacular sight. What are the best swimming holes in Texas? Looking for more places to cool off in the summer? This special swimming hole in Texas has you covered. The Hamilton Pool is one of the most unique and picturesque places to take a dip in the state. At one point, the whole thing was underground. After thousands of years of erosion, the dome of the former cave collapsed into the underground river below and now it’s an open swimming hole. There is a waterfall dropping into the jade-colored pool, so it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most popular destinations in Texas in the summer. Are there any other natural springs in Texas I can visit? This may be the largest, but it isn’t the only natural spring-fed pool in Texas. Krause Springs in Spicewood, Texas has several springs feeding into a refreshing pool that’s perfect for a hot summer day. The Barton Springs Pool in Austin, Texas is a favorite with locals, and for good reason. The natural waters are cold even on the hottest of days, and it has a variety of amenities - such as a diving board - that make it great to visit if you’re dying to swim in the summertime.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
This giant spring-fed pool in Texas is certainly something to marvel over, but it’s not the only natural wonder you can marvel in the state. Texas is home to the second-largest canyon in the country, the Palo Duro Canyon. It’s the Lone Star State’s very own Grand Canyon, with stunning red canyon walls and impressive views you must see in person. The Devil’s Sinkhole in Rocksprings, Texas has an incredible view in person. The giant cave has a diameter of over 320 and runs 300 feet into the ground, making it the state’s largest single-chamber cavern. Not only that, but it also has the largest colony of a very specific type of bat that flies out of the cave at dusk in a spectacular sight.
What are the best swimming holes in Texas?
Looking for more places to cool off in the summer? This special swimming hole in Texas has you covered. The Hamilton Pool is one of the most unique and picturesque places to take a dip in the state. At one point, the whole thing was underground. After thousands of years of erosion, the dome of the former cave collapsed into the underground river below and now it’s an open swimming hole. There is a waterfall dropping into the jade-colored pool, so it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most popular destinations in Texas in the summer.
Are there any other natural springs in Texas I can visit?
This may be the largest, but it isn’t the only natural spring-fed pool in Texas. Krause Springs in Spicewood, Texas has several springs feeding into a refreshing pool that’s perfect for a hot summer day. The Barton Springs Pool in Austin, Texas is a favorite with locals, and for good reason. The natural waters are cold even on the hottest of days, and it has a variety of amenities - such as a diving board - that make it great to visit if you’re dying to swim in the summertime.
