Balmorhea State Park: TexasBalmorhea State Park: TexasApril 25 and 26, 2007. We are staying in Balmorhea State Park. Water & 50-amps $14 with cable TV $17 plus $5 each for park entry fee. Located a few miles south of I-10 exit 206 if you are east bound and exit 209 if you are west bound. We like to stay here for the wildlife and birding. Balmorhea Springs boast the worlds largest swimming pool. Balmorhea State Park 4-miles
As we turn off I-10 at exit 209 we can see the Davis Mountains to the south. From exit 209 on I-10 Balmorhea State Park is only 4-miles. Balmorhea State Park is a great stop and campground for RV'ers traveling on I-10 in west Texas.
The San Solomon spring at Balmorhea State Park has created a superb desert oasis. These springs in the desert flatlands of west Texas have provided water for Native Americans, and later, for Spanish explorers and soldiers. Today the life sustaining waters from the spring are used to supply irrigation water for 12,900 acres of farming land.
San Solomon Springs Pool at Balmorhea State Park
The present name, San Solomon Springs, was given by the first settlers, Mexican farmers who used the water for irrigating crops. Prior to 1849, the springs were called Mescalero Springs, named for the Mescalero Apache Indians who watered their horses along its banks. Then in 1856 soldiers stationed at Fort Davis changed the name to Head Springs.
In 1851, the first canals were built to facilitate large-scale irrigation. The Bureau of Reclamation dredged the springs in 1927 and constructed the main canal which remains in use today. Between 1935 and 1938 the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) built the "L" shaped pool which was formed with a 200' circle over the spring, and two 389' tangents, all lined with limestone and bordered with flagstone. Repairs and updating have added cement sidewalks around the pool.
In case you are interested the name Balmorhea, the local town, got its name from the local settlers: BALcom, MOore, and RHEA.
San Solomon Springs Pool at Balmorhea, State Park
Another view of the "L" shaped pool. It is a deep pool. This end has a high dive and is 20' deep. Scuba divers converge on the spring during the summer and on weekends. The other 389' leg of this pool can be seen going to the left at the far end of this picture. The Davis Mountains can be seen in the distance.
Cienega at San Solomon Springs Balmorhea State Park, Texas
Cienega at San Solomon Springs Balmorhea State Park, Texas
In 1995, construction began on the San Solomon cienega, a 3-acre wetlands restoration which provides a refuge for aquatic life. The revegetation project utilized only plants obtained fom local sources, including native reeds and bullrushes. This "wildlife" oasis is located adjacent to the RV-Park. We always drop by the cienega to look for wildlife that does not visit the large pool. Cienega is Spanish for a desert wetland or swamp.
Sunset from campground in Balmorhea State Park
Joyce took this sunset picture one evening. I am including it so you can see the picnic structures at each campsite. They are a really nice setup on each campsite.
More Texas AdventuresPlants Trees and Flowers ** More 2007 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
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